Trouble in Paradise



Chapter 0534

After finishing lunch, I asked Douglas to take me to Jay Caldwell & Co. I needed to discuss a few things with Yasmine.

Nicholas stopped me in front of the car. 'Can't you spare me just half an hour?"

The wind was stronger today, and my words carried a coldness as I spoke.

"I think you should make the most of your time and spend it with Tabitha. You don't have much time to bond with her, and I left her at Coral Villa only because she doesn't reject you. Once I'm done tonight, I'll bring her home."

Nicholas's lips tightened until they were pale. He was silent for a long time before he finally spoke. "I saved you. Can I ask for something in return?"

I lowered my eyes, keeping my tone calm. 'Of course. No matter what, I'm grateful for what you did. If not for you, I'm not sure what would've happened."

'There are things between us that we never cleared up. I have so many questions. If we could resolve them, would it be possible for us to get back together?"

I wanted to laugh, but my gaze remained empty as I stared at something in the distance. "That's not just one request, and they're all too hard to fulfill."

I couldn't help but think he was being unreasonable.

I bent down and tried to slip into the car, but he grabbed my sleeve. "You promised me. You said I could make a request.'

I paused, straightening my back. "Alright. Let's start over. Nicholas, I want to ask you-when we first got married, why didn't you come home often? Why were you so distant from me? Can you answer that?"

My sleeve felt heavy. When I looked down, I noticed his knuckles had turned white.

'That was a long time ago. You know that's not what I want to discuss."

I tugged free, breaking all connection between us.

"If we're going to settle things, we have to start from the beginning. Otherwise, what do those four years mean? Those were a young woman's best years-how many four-year periods do you think I have?"

How many times did a person get to be young and fearlessly in love? I had given four of mine, and now they were gone.

Nicholas opened his mouth but said nothing. His expression was etched with despair. "I'm sorry."

I bent down and climbed into the car. Just before closing the door, I smiled at him. "It's alright. Come find me when you're sure of your answer."

Although I had been foolish during those four years, I was happy in my own way.

But that didn't mean I wanted no explanation from him. How could we start over? He couldn't even handle memories of the most painful time in my life.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

His figure grew smaller and smaller in my rearview mirror until it disappeared.

"Ms. Jones, I think Mr. Hawk might have changed for the better. Forgive me for speaking boldly, but I'm a bit older than you, and I know men. He seems genuine this time. If your mother were watching...

I leaned my forehead against the window and closed my eyes, trying to ignore Douglas's constant chatter.

I knew that was a part of me that was avoiding the situation. But would anyone stay in the same place to wait for someone?

I used to think that because of Nicholas, I had lost the ability to love someone. Now, when this situation was

placed on Nicholas himself, it still held true.

I admitted that the night he saved me, he seemed like a god who suddenly appeared. I couldn't help but view him through the lens of the classic "hero saved the damsel in distress" narrative.

Between Christopher and Nicholas, I wanted nothing more than to cling to Nicholas and have him protect me. That night, there were too many external factors. It was only natural for my emotions to be unsettled. When I first returned to the country, I felt the stirrings of those old feelings. I could only attribute them to the remnants of affection that hadn't burned out yet. Without the constant reawakening of love, those feelings would have eventually turned to ashes.