Trouble in Paradise

In the following days, my schedule was always tightly arranged by Nicholas.

He subtly hinted and asked whether I'd consider remarrying him, saying it might make the adoption process for Cory easier. However, I could handle the matter myself, even if it was more troublesome. Rather than discussing relationship issues with him now, I preferred dealing with a bit more hassle.

So, I started reaching out to Douglas. When Nicholas found out, he was upset for several days. Every time our eyes met in the Coral Villa, he'd look at me with a mournful gaze. However, I simply pretended not to notice and deliberately avoided him. Nicholas seemed to understand my stance. For him, as long as he had something he wanted to achieve, our relationship wouldn't become an obstacle.

With his help, everything progressed smoothly. In the end, Cory was adopted under my name and officially became my son.

Tabitha seemed to understand too-she really did have an elder brother now. For a while, the three of us adjusted to our new roles as a family, while only Nicholas remained gloomy.

We spent some hazy, carefree days, but parting came unexpectedly.

During this time, I noticed that whenever I brought up visiting Frances and Claudia, Nicholas always had various reasons to redirect me to other tasks.

At first, I complied with his arrangements-some matters indeed seemed urgent. But, gradually, I sensed something was off.

For instance, even though it was still some time before the New Year, he suggested I take Cory shopping for New Year's. He even asked if I'd like to get a new puppy.

I decided to confront him and went to his study. When I opened the door, he was standing with his back to me by the floor-to-ceiling window.noveldrama

The trees in the garden had long since shed their leaves, presenting a late-autumn scene. It was then I realized, with a jolt, that the one-month period we'd agreed upon had already passed.

I had forgotten to leave.

So, I got straight to the point,

"Nicholas, about the case we

discussed earlier-you do not need

me anymore, right?" When I asked

this, Padmit that I felt a bit hurt.

en

The words "do not need" were inherently wounding, even more so when they were linked to me, Nicholas, and Claudia.

Some pains pierced through memories, bringing a flood of old and new wounds together.

Nicholas turned around, his dark eyes tinged with melancholy. "I never said I don't need you."

I smiled at him, though I couldn't hide the trace of loneliness in it. "Really? I thought you didn't need me anymore."

A pang shot through Nicholas' chest

as he recalled what Yasmine had

told him in the hospital. Now,

expression mirrored that memory so

vividly before his eyes.

I was more mature now, stronger than before. Even so, it felt like someone had fired a shot straight into his heart, leaving him reeling with pain.

During these days, he had been thinking constantly about how toz make amends-how to let me feel that he was taking responsibility for the past mistakes while repairing the damage done. en

He kept trying to find a reasonable and legitimate way to sever any connection I had with the incident, but he was too cautious.

He understood now-once, I had thrown caution to the wind for him. How could he possibly come up with a perfect, win-win solution? That wouldn't be sincere.

All he could do was take her hand and repeat, over and over, "I need you. I really need you..."

At that moment, I would admit my heart ached, but I simply smiled.

"Got it. You should get back to work." With that, I turned and left the study.