Trouble in Paradise



"Alright. Let's eat first," Nicholas said.

Considering my condition, Nicholas gestured for the maid to bring the meal in. In truth, he was nearly certain that Tabitha was his daughter. Her eyes mirrored his own, far more so than Pete's could ever.

Back at the airport, when Nicholas was rushing back to save me, Pete told him, "Tabitha's last name isn't Shelman.

He only wanted me to admit myself that Tabitha was our child.

The day he first heard the news, he had been overwhelmed, nearly lost for words. Knowing he had someone in this world who shared his blood-that feeling was incredible. He had a daughter, and he had me. He finally had a family.

But despite the joy, there was a simmering anger. I had kept this from him, although I knew how much family meant to him. Nicholas had even laid bare his most painful memories before me. Still, I chose to lie to him.

He kept telling himself that as soon as I admitted Tabitha was his, he would let it go. But watching me break down in tears, he was at a loss.

I lay motionless on the bed, eyes wide, fixed on the ceiling. Tears shimmered in my beautiful eyes like crystals, and he couldn't deny the sting in his chest.

Nicholas took a deep breath, sitting beside me and gently pulling me close. "Let's eat first. We'll talk afterward." Tears streamed down my cheeks as my body trembled. He tried wiping them away, but they just kept falling.

I glared at Nicholas with pure hatred, disgusted by his feigned concern. I shoved his hand aside and rolled out of bed, darting in the opposite direction.

Without even having time to put on the shoes, I ran toward the door. Tabitha had to still be in the Coral Villa. She had to be!Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Just as my hand reached for the doorknob, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Nicholas held me firmly, carrying me back to the table and setting me down.

"If you don't eat, you won't even have the strength to leave."

Eat? How could I even think of eating right now?

"Just have some soup first,' he said, not waiting for a response as he filled the spoon.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. Closing my eyes, I struggled to suppress my fury. I knew if I tried to rush out, I wouldn't make it past the door.

I tried to stay calm, hoping I could reason with him. "Nicholas, let me see Tabitha. I haven't seen her in days-I miss her. I can't eat anything like this."

My voice trembled, and the heartbreak underneath was palpable. From the moment Tabitha was born, we had never been apart this long.

But when Nicholas brought the bowl closer with that indifferent expression, I finally lost control. I slapped the bowl out of his hands. The soup spilled everywhere, drenching one side of his shirt.

Seeing him freeze, arm still outstretched, I practically screamed, "What gives you the right to keep me from seeing Tabitha?"

Nicholas set the bowl down slowly, his expression turning colder as he reached for a napkin to wipe his hands. His gaze was unyielding, his voice laced with barely contained anger.

"Ariana, you're the one who chose to come here. You're the one who came to me. I don't want anyone else. Just you. So don't bring up Tabitha again. I don't want to take things out on a child, but don't push me."

I closed my eyes, feeling a bitter lump lodged in my throat. There were things I couldn't swallow, yet couldn't spit out either. My chest felt frozen.

When I spoke again, it was with a voice full of sorrow. "But Tabitha is your daughter...