As I gripped the phone stiffly, my heart trembled uncontrollably. On the phone, Nicholas continued to question me anxiously. "How could you leave without saying anything? I thought you had left me again!" Nicholas was angry. His tone was harsh as he was upset at my sudden departure. The more I tho
Last night, Nicholas and I returned to Coral Villa. When Yasmine found out, she scolded me and asked if I was crazy. "You're going back there when you should be avoiding that scheming stepsister of his? She can be dangerous when she loses it!" I smiled. But where else could I go? Our new house wit
I knew Nicholas was not easily fooled, so the first thing I did after landing was turn on my phone. Sure enough, his messages came flooding in like rapid gunfire. After being together for so long, even his way of texting had started to resemble Claudia's. "Why so sudden?""How long will you be gon
Nicholas's expression changed quickly. It took just a second for him to regain his composure. He came over, took the small suitcase from my hand and hugged me. "You walk so quietly. You're like a cat." I pushed him away and looked into his eyes. "If not, I wouldn't have heard your phone call." Ni
"It's not that!" I pushed him away and crouched down again to continue packing. I felt a burning gaze on the top of my head as Nicholas stared hard at me. Under his scrutinizing gaze, I could not even lift my head. I was afraid that the moment I looked up, I would reveal even more emotions. I had
I looked at him with a smile full of meaning. "Okay, okay. I believe you." Nicholas' eyes stung inexplicably. In his eyes, I should not be like this. I should be the one waiting for him every day, and the one whose eyes saw only him when he appeared. I should be the one who approached him shyly yet
Nicholas had barely undressed himself. He positioned me between himself and the display cabinet. His eyes were devoid of emotion as if he was looking at an exhibit even while doing what used to make him lose himself. In the small space, only my muffled sobs could be heard. After what seemed like an
After last night's events, Nicholas did not try to stop me from leaving anymore. I left for my business trip early the next morning. I had also extended the trip from three days to a week. Because of the extended schedule, Douglas wanted to accompany me, but I refused. He had already helped me acqu
I quickly got ready and waited for Nicholas to pick me up. He had called earlier, saying he'd wrapped up work early. He asked if I wanted to join him to pick up Tabitha from school.I immediately caught the hopeful tone in his voice but still turned him down.Lately, Nicholas had been eager to take
Once Tabitha finished her meal and Wendy took her to school, I finally had a bit of time to myself.I sent the prepared documents to Douglas, asking him to help arrange Tabitha's visa for Berland.Once her condition improved, I planned to take her abroad. Since Nicholas hadn't insisted on having Tab
I was filled with excitement. Ever since that argument with Nicholas, he had already begun coordinating with his medical team. Due to the sudden changes, the team had to completely revise the questions they had prepared. Since it concerned Tabitha, we didn't mind giving them a bit more time. Now,
Since that day, Tabitha had become increasingly silent.She started zoning out often, sometimes staring at me or Nicholas, sometimes focusing on random things. Every time she drifted into this state, it would last for over ten minutes.During these moments, we didn't dare to interrupt her. We could
Everything in Coral Villa remained unchanged. I hadn't been forgetful to that extent. I still remembered those days when I stayed by Nicholas' side, feeling at peace with it all.At that time, I thought, "What's the big deal if I stay with him for the rest of my life?" We had already found some kin
"Ariana!"Nicholas caught up with me from behind, his warm hand grasping mine. I wasn't sure if it was from nervousness or the heat, but his palm was damp."Ariana, don't go back to Tabitha's room. Sleep in a different room instead."I rolled my eyes in my mind. After all this time, he was still thi
I didn't want to stay under the same roof as Nicholas, so I took my laptop and went to sit in the courtyard.A while later, Nicholas found me. As he approached, the cool summer breeze swirled around him, carrying it to where he sat beside me."Tabitha finished eating, and her little belly's all roun
Back at Coral Villa, Tabitha had also returned.I carried Tabitha upstairs and started unpacking her things from the suitcase. She was thrilled.Nicholas walked over and squatted beside her. "Tabitha, Daddy and Mommy prepared these for you. Do you want to kiss Daddy and Mommy?"Tabitha stared at him
Nicholas held one of Tabitha's outfits in his hands. It was so small it seemed no larger than a face towel he used to wash his face. He handled them with such care that his overflowing fatherly love seemed to seep into the fabric.I looked into his eyes earnestly and said, "You still have time to be