I rubbed my forehead as tears brimmed in my eyes. I looked up and realized that I hadn't bumped into a wall. Instead, I bumped into Nicholas' solid chest.
"I wouldn't go bankrupt even if I had to employ a billion housekeepers like Wendy to keep you fed," Nicholas said.
Nicholas hid his emotions well, but I still caught a fleeting look of disdain on his face. What was there to be so smug about? No matter how rich he was, I paid Wendy her salary.
I grabbed the handle of my suitcase and walked past Nicholas without sparing him another glance.
However, Nicholas blocked my way expressionlessly and kicked the bottom of the suitcase. He instructed Wendy, who was standing nearby, "Put the madam's belongings back in their place."
Wendy quickly ran after the rolling suitcase and made her escape.
I didn't blame Wendy for her lack of loyalty, nor did I feel ashamed about getting caught by Nicholas. I was definitely not the person in his household who should feel ashamed.
"You shouldn't block the way if you know what's good for you." This was probably the most assertive thing I had said to Nicholas since we met.
Nicholas did not reply. Instead, he suddenly crouched down. Before I could understand what was happening, I found myself with both feet in the air. Nicholas actually hoisted me over his shoulder!
I struggled and kicked to get away, only to receive a hard slap on my butt. Stunned, I bit down on his shoulder in anger.
The pain from my clenched teeth couldn't wash away the indescribable resentment I felt in my heart. Tears fell uncontrollably from my eyes.
Did Nicholas refuse to let me go because he enjoyed testing the moral boundaries of having both his wife and mistress under the same roof? Or had he fallen in love with the thrill of infidelity?
I tried to ease my pain with such venomous thoughts, but it was futile.
Nicholas threw me on the bed and immediately pressed his body down on top of me. He landed kisses all over my face, but all he could taste were bitter tears.
"Don't touch me!" I cried.
He had already masturbated once today. Wasn't he afraid he'd be sexually exhausted if he had sex with me now? We had never done it twice in a row before. Honestly, I had almost forgotten what it felt like.
Surprised, Nicholas fixed his gaze on me. "Are you crying because we didn't do it this morning?"
"No!" I retorted, "I don't want to be with you anymore. I want a divorce."
I thought that I would feel hurt when the word "divorce" slipped out of my mouth, but I didn't feel sad at all. Instead, she felt a sense of relief.
I had enough of trying to please him all these years. I was tired of it. It seemed that I had also been waiting for this day subconsciously.
It was no wonder that Nicholas remained cold to me no matter how well I treated him. It turned out that he had long been secretly in love with someone else.
The tenderness on Nicholas' face disappeared and was replaced with a chilling look. "You want a divorce just because I spent more time with Claudia after she got hurt? Ariana, you should know how to draw the line within the limits of my patience even if you wish to kick up a fuss."
I fixed my gaze on Nicholas silently before letting out a sigh. "Nicholas, you are a married man. Do you understand what boundaries are?"
Nicholas replied, "Are you talking to me about boundaries? You confessed to me right away in our arranged meeting. Do you know what a woman's boundaries are?
"Besides, Claudia is like a sister to me. We've always been like this. Maybe you should reflect on yourself if you think there's a problem between us."
I gaped in shock. I never expected Nicholas to bring up the fact that I had confessed to him first.
The first time I met him was at a banquet. Nicholas was performing on stage, like a picture of a perfect golden child. Back then, everyone in Radiant City described him as an exceptional scion of the Hawk family whenever his name was mentioned.
It was then I truly learned what love at first sight was. I still remember updating a private post on Facebook, "Nicholas, my love at first sight."
How could I be content being friends with someone whom I fell in love with at first sight?
Every encounter I had with him after that was meticulously planned. To the outside world, I jokingly portrayed my marriage as a family arrangement. However, only I knew how much effort I had put into making the marriage happen.
I said with a faint smile, "Since you think so poorly of me, then it's perfect that we should part ways. I'll leave with nothing to my name if you would play the song you played for me at our wedding once more. How about that?"
After four years, listening to "Salut d'Amour" again brought about a completely different feeling within me.
Nicholas sat at the piano in the middle of the living room. His hands hovered over the keyboard as his fingers brushed against the keys. The melody of the romantic serenade echoed through the entire villa.
I felt genuinely happy when Nicholas played this piano piece for me at our wedding. Now, the reason he played this piece again was also for the sake of our happiness. However, this time it was for a happy future that no longer included each other.
At that moment, I felt a little dazed. I wasn't sure if it was the sunlight casting a dazzling glow on Nicholas or if he was just that radiant. Dazzled by Nicholas' radiance, my eyes welled up with tears.
I had to leave!
I took two steps back. I could not allow myself to continue being infatuated with him.
As I turned around, Nicholas pulled me into a tight embrace. His skin was scorching hot. It was so hot that it almost made me feel like he truly needed me.
I tried to reject Nicholas twice, but he was more persistent when it came to these matters. As soon as I let my guard down, he lifted me onto the piano.
A loud resonant crash brought Wendy in to draw the curtains in the living room before scurrying away quickly.
Having sex in the living room evoked the thrilling pleasure of doing the deed in a public place, but at the same time, there was more privacy.
Nicholas guided my body on the piano keys, but the notes produced were far from beautiful.
At the beginning of the piece, I was too upset to cooperate. The tone of the music alternated between light and dark, rapid and lingering…
Nonetheless, Nicholas was in high spirits. He kissed me relentlessly from one end of the piano to the other.
Just as things were about to get serious, the phone in the living room rang. Nicholas had to stop as only his family from the Hawk Manor would call this number.
I lay on the piano keys while panting heavily. I didn't dare move an inch until Nicholas finished the call as every slight movement I made would make a sound on the piano.
He lifted me off the piano and kissed my cheek gently. "Mom wants us to go back."
"I think I won't go. We're going to separate anyway," I replied.
Nicholas asked, "You're willing to let me have my way with you, but you still want a divorce?"
"I don't want to compromise myself. At least you're better than some gigolo out there. What's more, you're free," I said in an insincere tone. I had no intention to please him deliberately any longer.
Nicholas chuckled coldly. "Didn't you want me to play our wedding song in order to remind me of when we first got married? I gave in to your tricks, and yet you dare to make a fuss?"
"I thought you played the piano to get me to leave with nothing."
Nicholas fixed his gaze on me. Despite his affectionate tone, the words he spoke were callous. "You silly woman. Even if we divorce, you won't get a penny if I say so."
His patience with me was limited. Nicholas quickly returned to his usual cold demeanor. "You are aware of how well my parents treat you. Since my dad isn't well, you shall not worry them despite whatever grievances you have!"
"Fine, let's tell them we're getting a divorce," I said. I was trying to provoke him.
Nicholas' parents treated me extremely well. No matter how unhappy I was with Nicholas, I would never deliberately upset the elderly couple.
Nicholas was known to be a loving son since his biological mother passed away when he was a child. His father raised him alone. I said that earlier just to get under his skin. However, Nicholas thought I was serious.
He raised his hand and poked my forehead with a finger. "Try to say a word about it and see how I'll deal with you."
