Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

From the moment I stepped into Coral Villa, it felt as though my limbs had disconnected from my body. They had lost all feeling, and Nicholas dragged me along the entire way.

Eight years ago, he had led me through this house the same way, showing me our marital home. Back then, I was more shy than anything, too embarrassed to imagine that this would one day be our home.

He thought I was walking too slowly and turned back to take my hand. His tone was incredibly gentle as he said, "We'll live here from now on."

I looked up and glanced at his back. I realized that, back then, he must have felt a tinge of impatience, although he had hidden it well. Otherwise, why would he be so careful with my pace now, giving me enough time to take in the whole courtyard? But this was no longer our marital home. So, why was he doing this now?

"Nicholas, let go! I can walk on my own!" I struggled to free myself.

He stopped in his tracks and turned around, his deep, dark eyes fixed on me. He pointed toward the balcony upstairs. "We once had sex over there."

His tone was as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

I gasped, enraged. "N-Nich..."

He interrupted me, pointing again at another spot. "See that open space? I kissed you in the snow there."

He pointed to the window of our bedroom. "I said I wanted to try the floor-to-ceiling windows. You were really loud that day."

Nicholas's palm grew warmer, but his expression turned colder. That was the part that humiliated me the most.

Although it had ended so bitterly between us, I never regretted any moment we spent together. Whether it was the happy times or the miserable ones, I had made peace with my own choices.

But the way he casually said those things was truly unbearable for me.

I forced myself to ignore his

provocations and asked indifferently, "Everyone has a past, right? You've had such a colorful life, Mr. Hawk. Surely Coral Villa holds more than just memories of us?"

I gestured to a few corners of the villa, laughing mockingly. "Look at that bench over there. Oh, and this century-old tree by us. And that open space where you used to play with others. Who do you remember from there, Mr. Hawk?"

"Others?" Nicholas scoffed. "I remember exactly where you pointed."

Suddenly, he turned and wrapped his arms around my waist. He held me up and carried me onto the lawn, and in the next moment, my back was pressed against the thick trunk of the tree. Nicholas leaned in, his lips brushing against my cheek as he whispered, "Why are your lips parted? Feeling something for me?"

Shock coursed through me.

"Wrap your legs around my waist. I'm letting go."

He actually did it after he said so. The sudden loss of support made me instinctively wrap my legs around him. His dark eyes gleamed, barely holding back an even deeper emotion as he called out my name.

"Ariana!" There was a hint of accusation in his voice, along with a trace of unspoken hurt. "Is there truly no memory here for you?"

I snapped back to reality, struggling to free myself from him. But he stepped closer, pressing me more firmly against the tree.

His arms caged me, leaving no space for escape. Everywhere I turned, all I saw was him.

Suddenly, he called my name again, his voice low and restrained. "Ariana!"

I turned my face away as much as I could. "Nicholas, we're divorced. I don't think about the past anymore."

"You're so heartless!" His hand trembled as he caressed my neck. "I really want to strangle you right now!"