Trouble in Paradise

"Is that so?" I said, forcing a smile and feeling somewhat disturbed.

After all, he was my husband. Yet, he seemed more intent on finding evidence of my crimes than the men I had only met a few times. Seeing me come out of the police station unscathed must have disappointed him.

A sudden arm on my shoulder interrupted my thoughts

"Let's go," said Silas when he noticed Nicholas approaching.

Exasperated, Yasmine tugged at me and said, "Come on. Why are you looking at him? It's making my eyes hurt!"

I stood still for a moment, and Nicholas quickly closed the distance between us. Up close, I could clearly see the raindrops on his hair, some strands already wet. It was evident he had been standing outside for quite a while. "Are you kidnapping my wife?" he asked, his black suit nearly blending into the night, and his gaze cold.

Yasmine casually dug at her ear with one hand and said, "Ari, did you hear someone speaking? My ears hurt."

Nicholas' lips curled slightly, unfazed.

"One of you has your hand on her shoulder, and the other is pulling her arm. I have reasonable suspicion you're trying to forcibly take her away. If you don't let go, I'll have to intervene," he said, pausing to look at Silas. "That would count as self-defense, right?"Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Chief Jefferson, sensing trouble, quickly made his exit with a hasty goodbye. Silas and Yasmine, worried for my safety, stepped in front of me.

"Nicholas, what more do you want from me?" I asked.

He had always been indifferent toward me, but he at least remembered he was my husband and wouldn't let things get this ugly.

If I acted coy, he would smile and pat my head, or even hold me. But now, he radiated only hostility. treating me like an enemy without any decorum even in front of others.

Just days ago, he had held me affectionately, whispering sweet nothings. Indeed, a man's love was more fleeting than a summer's breeze.

I pushed aside the two people in front of me and looked straight at him. His blurry outline gradually became clear in my eyes, and my mind concluded that this was a very unfamiliar Nicholas.

I felt a bit dazed, and with the sound of rain that night, I didn't catch what he said. I only saw him slightly reaching out his hand toward me as if he wanted to hold my hand.

This gesture seemed somewhat romantic. If I were to add a voiceover, it would be him saying "Give me your hand". But I didn't see any affection in his eyes.

The next second, Yasmine's shrill voice brought me back to reality. "Go back to what? Nicholas, let me remind you that you and Ari are already separated. What home are you talking about?" I guessed he wanted me to go home with him.

Yasmine's words seemed to remind Nicholas as well. I saw his hand holding the cigarette trembling slightly. Then, he simply threw the cigarette butt to the ground.

The small cigarette butt was kicked into a puddle by the roadside, and the light quickly went out. In that moment, I strangely felt a connection with that cigarette butt.

I should have been someone he cherished and held carefully, but I ended up covered in mud.

"Don't avoid this. Let's talk," he said again, his voice already hoarse.