Trouble in Paradise

Pete's sudden action created the most intense moment of my recent days. It felt like a century since my heart last pounded this violently. It reminded me that I was still alive.

Breathing heavily, I leaned against the wall and asked, "What are you doing?"

He was dressed in a black suit. In the short span of half a month, his hair had grown quickly and seemed to be intended for a longer style. It was slicked flat with hair gel. He actually looked quite dashing. However, his expression was one of indescribable pain, more acute than my own. He stared at me for a while, unable to say a word.

Only then did I remember how Mom had always been kind to him. Whenever his father had beaten him, he'd come to our house for refuge.

I tried comforting him. "Don't be upset. This is just her fate."

He bit his lip as if making a resolution. Then, he suddenly pulled me into his embrace. "Ari, don't hold it in. Cry if you want to. I'm here for you."

I found it amusing that everyone seemed to think I wanted to cry. Just yesterday, Daniel and Frances had also comforted me, telling me not to be sad.

I pushed him away and said indifferently, "I'm not crying. If you're upset, you can stay here and cry for a while. I need to get back. They need me inside."

I patted his shoulder and walked past him. I had just reconciled with Nicholas, so I didn't want him to see me alone with Pete.

Regardless of Nicholas' feelings for me, men usually didn't favor their wives getting too involved with others. I couldn't let Pete ruin my plans.

Suddenly, Pete grabbed my arm. I turned back to see his furrowed brows.

"Ari, why didn't you tell me you were having a hard time? If I had known Mrs. Jones was ill, I wouldn't have made things difficult for you. Why didn't you come to me when something like that happened?" I struggled to free my arm. After creating some distance between us, I replied, "I told everyone my mom passed away from an illness, but the truth is, she died in a car accident."

Chap

1 looked up at him. "It's not your fault. I'm the one who's to blame. I made her angry, which led to the accident. I'm the real culprit."

I lowered my head to hide my vulnerability. For the first time, I was revealing my deepest feelings to someone else. A sudden, indescribable pain washed over me, making my eyes sting with unshed tears.

I blinked rapidly to push back the warmth in my eyes. At that moment, Pete suddenly pulled me into another embrace. His action nearly caused me to twist my neck.

When he lowered his head, his lips grazed mine and brushed against my cheek. Finally, he nestled into the crook of my neck. The roughness of his hair pressed against my skin, but I barely felt the sting. My mind went blank. Had he... accidentally... kissed me?

As I was about to ask him this, his sorrowful voice almost overwhelmed me. "Ari, why are you so cruel? We've known each other longer, haven't we?"

I struggled, but he held me tighter.

His voice was muffled in my neck. "I thought you were going to separate from Nicholas. Why did you go back to him?"

"I..." I had no answer. I couldn't tell him the real reason.

Just when I was in a daze, he pushed me away. His gaze dropped, and his long lashes obscured his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice turned cold. "Forget it." He gave a despondent smile. "You never see me.

The next moment, he turned and waved in farewell. "Ari, I didn't mean to disturb your life. Pretend you didn't hear any of this today, I must be out of my mind."

T

I stood with my mouth open. Yes, I was stunned. I watched his tall figure, feeling lost. The boy who used to pull my hair and throw mud on my white dress had grown so tall.

I suddenly recalled Silas' words to me. At the time, I didn't understand when he said, You can't give Pete what he wants", but now, I felt I was starting to grasp the meaning. "Pete!" I called out to him.

He paused but did not turn around. I didn't say anything else. Meanwhile, he stood

#

there, silently waiting.

I said calmly, "Pete, you can't give me what I want either."

Pete's back seemed to tremble slightly. I couldn't see his expression, but his laughter was filled with bitterness.

"Still think I'm not good enough? No worries, Ari. Just wait. I'll go pay my respects to Mrs. Jones."

I sighed deeply, but I didn't leave immediately. Squatting by the wall, I rubbed my aching nose and fought back the heat in my eyes.

I didn't deserve to cry. I was the one who caused Mom's death. I wouldn't forgive myself if I cried. I took a deep breath and waited until my emotions calmed before standing up.

I brushed off the dust from the hem of my black dress and fixed my hair. Just as I was about to head back, a dark, imposing shadow blocked my way.

Nicholas, with narrowed eyes and a stern jawline, was leaning against the wall. He seemed to have been there for a long time-so long that he started to merge with the desolate surroundings. His entire presence radiated a chilling coldness.

His coldness froze me, making it impossible for me to move forward. I looked into his eyes but couldn't decipher any emotions from them.

"Honey?" I called softly. "Why are you out here? Don't they need anyone inside?"

Upon hearing me, he smirked faintly and said, "I was wondering why you've been so well-behaved. Turns out you were just using me as a tool."

My heart sank. It seemed that Nicholas had overheard my conversation with Pete. Even though I had only been responding to Silas' words, I had indeed been using Nicholas.NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.