Trouble in Paradise



Nicholas wasn't done yet. He kept adding more details.

"This morning when I was trying to sleep, she wouldn't stop yelling. The whole house was trying to calm her down, and no one could. I got fed up and shoved her out the door. She has probably really been picked up by the garbage truck by now."

"That's impossible!" I shook my head in disbelief.

There was no way he would do such a thing, would he? Yet, I couldn't pinpoint what I was so sure about. His expression was so convincing, and I knew how Tabitha would scream when she was scared.

"I saw you holding her, kissing her cheek...

"So what? The moment I remember that she is the child you had with another man, I feel disgusted."

A child with another man? Did he even know what he was saying? But I had no time to dwell on that.

I grabbed his arms tightly, shaking him. "Nicholas, why was Tabitha crying? What happened? Where is she? Let me go to her. She really can't be without me. Please, Nicholas... I'm begging you..."

My voice was thick with despair, each word tasting bitter. I couldn't even hear what he was saying anymore.

All I could think of was the image of Tabitha huddled up, clutching her head, screaming in fear. It tore me apart, and I found myself resenting the man in front of me even more.

He had never once cared for Tabitha, yet this was how he treated her now.

I shoved at him with all my strength, but it was useless against his unyielding grip.

Without warning, tears started streaming down my face. My body shook uncontrollably with sobs. It only took a moment for an adult to break down.

A hint of pain crossed his face as he took in my pale and devastated expression. Yet, he knew he couldn't soften his heart at this moment.

"Don't cry." His cold fingers brushed at my unending tears as he spoke softly.

"She wouldn't behave. I had no choice. 30 caretakers couldn't keep her calm this morning-she wouldn't let anyone hold her. She didn't want to be here, so I had to let her go."

I sobbed silently, my fists weakly pounding his shoulder. "She's afraid of strangers, Nicholas! She was scared!"

Nicholas took my hands, unclenching each tightly curled finger one by one. He closed his eyes and pressed a searing kiss onto my palm.

"Ariana, let's have a child of our own. One that belongs to us. What do you say?"

His kiss burned into my hand, leaving a mark that seemed to scorch right through to my heart. I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I was crying so hard I couldn't even make a sound.

It was as if all my strength had drained from me. My hands dropped lifelessly, and silent tears fell onto the bed sheets, darkening the fabric as they spread.

"Nicholas, you'll regret this."

The words spilled out of me before I could hold them back. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I broke down, sobbing openly.

Nicholas's eyes flew open, his gaze stormy and intense.

He quickly replied, "Regret? Why would I regret it? I have nothing to regret!"

I didn't want to respond anymore. I covered my eyes with both hands, but the tears continued to spill, slipping

through my fingers.

*Answer me! What do I have to regret?"

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at his arrogant tone. He knew exactly how to hurt me the most.

His hands gripped my shoulders and shook me vigorously. My heart felt like it was shattering into pieces.

"You'll regret how you treated Tabitha today. She is your..."

My words were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Mr. Hawk, Mrs. Hawk, I've brought the food in."