Trouble in Paradise



Chapter 0571

'Nicholas! What exactly do you want? Just make it clear already!"

Rain mixed with tears streamed down my face as I shouted. I could barely hold myself together.

Nicholas clenched his fists with a fierce expression. But the redness at the corners of his eyes betrayed him.

"I don't want to see your back anymore. I don't want to watch you walk away before I can say anything. I want you to feel pain because of me, even if it means you hate me! At least that's something-because no matter what I do, you never give me a chance."

Nicholas was hurting too when he said those words.

As a proud man who wielded power effortlessly in Radiant City, it wasn't easy for him to lower himself to care for someone or humble himself to please a woman.

But my heart felt like a sheet of crumpled paper. The pain in my heart was colder than the rain soaking my body. But how would he know I'd never given him a chance?

It was just that time and again, reason had worn it all away. No matter how much compromise, it wouldn't work with someone who wasn't right for me. Now, he and I were living proof of that.

He focused on the consequences, not the root of it all. He was feeling hurt now. But how did that justify using Tabitha to threaten me?

'Nicholas, I'll never forgive you after what you did today."

I raised my eyes, meeting his dark, stormy gaze. They seemed drained of all life.

He seemed to deflate, his energy draining away. "Who cares."

I agreed and nodded firmly.

At that moment, I lost. With Tabitha involved, I didn't stand a chance. As he said, none of it mattered anymore.

He no longer had to try so hard to please me or find ways to win my favor. I didn't have to fight against his mixed signals or wrestle alone with the pain of the past colliding with the present. The torment would finally end for both of us.

What I regretted most was that it had all come too late. If I'd seen things clearly the first time I ran into him after returning, I would've left with Tabitha long ago. I wouldn't let myself fall into such a passive situation.

I turned off my phone and slipped it into my pocket. When it involved Tabitha, I wouldn't dare take any chances. Suddenly, Nicholas' arm weighed down on my shoulder, forcing me to stumble. His other hand caught me, his warmth seeping through my rain-soaked clothes and into my skin. It felt strangely warm, yet it sent a chill down my spine.

"Don't touch me." I shoved him away instinctively.

He didn't rush. Instead, he spoke softly, his tone almost coaxing.

"At least, let's pretend to be a loving couple in front of Tabitha. I know I annoy you-you'd rather I vanish. But isn't everything we're doing for her?"Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Anger boiled within me. Even though I'd already given in, his smugness made me want to slap him.

'Tabitha misses you. Let's go in together. I promise, as long as you don't try to take her away and stay at Coral Villa, I won't limit your freedom otherwise."

I met his gaze and rolled my eyes. What a generous offer.

"You go in first. I'll think about it." I closed my eyes, letting the rain drench me. It numbed everything-my face, my body, even my heart.

I clenched my fists and punched my arm hard. That was when I brought back some sensation. However, it wasn't enough. I slapped my head, desperate for my mind to clear.

The pain I expected didn't come. Nicholas had caught my hands, his grip firm and unyielding.

"Don't hit yourself! If you want to stand in the rain, I'll stand with you. We'll stay here until you've made up your mind.