Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

Chapter 0008

If the entire family knew about Nicholas and Claudia's affair, then I was merely used as a shield to maintain the Hawk family's reputation!

I accepted the gift quietly and exchanged a few pleasantries. before seeing her out. With my trust in Nicholas broken, I could no longer trust anyone else wholeheartedly.

When Nicholas returned to the room, he scoffed after seeing the gift box on the table. "Do you lack anything? Why do you have to compete with her over everything? Why couldn't you just let her have the pair of worthless earrings?"

I looked up at him through the mirror and ignored the mockery in his eyes. "This isn't from you. Frances gave me another pair."

I replied to him in a tone that was as cold as his. I had no intention of pleasing him when he was putting on such a nasty attitude.

I wished to ask him what he thought I was fighting with Claudia over. Was I supposed to willingly hand over my husband?

Nicholas seemed a little embarrassed. He had a chilling expression on his handsome face. Our gazes met in the mirror.

"Go and get me some pajamas," Nicholas ordered through gritted teeth. His gaze was fixated on me.

"Why don't you say, 'Princess, please get me some pajamas?"" I replied nonchalantly. I smiled as I continued applying my

L

+25 BONUS

skincare products in front of the mirror. Inside, I felt a pang of sadness. I was certain he would never say those words.

Nicholas stood behind me with his hands on his hips. He was clearly annoyed by my insolence. I glared at him through the mirror. "Why can you humor her but not me?"

Back then, I would be clinging to him from the moment he walked through the door. I cherished every moment when we could be alone as a couple. But now, I no longer wanted to revolve my life around him.

"It's not that I can't humor you; I don't have to!" Nicholas tore off his tie with one hand and threw it to the ground. The next second, he picked me up and tossed me onto the bed. " Instead, I don't have to wear any pajamas!" His strength was so overwhelming that I bounced a few times. in the air before landing on the bed.

Nonetheless, I didn't remain airborne for long. His weight

pressed down on my body and I sank deep into the mattress. His magnetic voice, which always made me weak in the knees, ordered, "Look into my eyes."

I saw my reflection in his pupils grow larger. Before I could react, his lips and tongue claimed mine. A scent of tea wafted into my mouth.

What did this feel like? It felt like a dream when your idol of 20 years suddenly held your hand and kissed you during a fan meeting.

You should've been over the moon with happiness, but you

+26 BONUS

discovered that they had unfortunately fallen from grace.

Your heart felt immensely disappointed and regretful. You realized that all the emotions you invested over the years had been for nothing.

I pushed him away and wiped my mouth, which clearly showed my disdain for him.

Nicholas seemed infuriated by my actions. Anger flashed in his eyes. "Are you playing hard to get because you're not in lingerie? Hmm?" "Stop it!" I felt both embarrassed and annoyed when he

reminded me of what happened that day. My friends had told me no man could resist the allure of sexy lingerie, yet I had failed.

He propped himself up and narrowed his eyes. Sizing me up, he asked, "Don't you want it?"

"No!" I replied firmly.

He always assumed I wanted to do it, but he never understood why. He never tried to know me on a deeper level. He didn't make me feel secure in this relationship, yet he thought I only craved physical pleasure. "I insist!" He removed the rosary beads from his wrist and tossed them onto the nightstand. His body pressed down on me once more. "Being sexually frustrated will affect our marital happiness."