Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 452

Seeing things like this again, Nicholas no longer felt anger or hatred. He was just confused.

He had tried so hard to hold the family together, but everything had gone wrong. His mind told him he should react, but it was hard for him.

I leaned wearily in my seat, propping my chin on one hand. I looked at him and waited for his reaction. Finally, he lifted his head from the folder and stared at me blankly.

I didn't know how much time had passed. Nicholas had always been decisive and daring, but the silence between us lasted at least two or three minutes.

His hands trembled as he pushed himself up from the table. He didn't spare me a glance as he walked out.

Before leaving, he said, "I won't interfere in Frances's matters anymore."

To me, it sounded more like he was saying, "She is no longer my mother". It was almost like he was fleeing.

Frances might have taken the blame for Claudia, but her crimes went far beyond that.

I understood Nicholas's feelings, which was why I chose not to tell him about Frances giving me birth control medication. If he knew that we had lost our child because of it, I feared he would bear even more.

I thought that was the end of it, but then Nicholas spoke again. He stood at the door, gripping the handle so tightly his knuckles turned white.

His voice was firm as he warned me, "Do whatever you want with Frances, but stay away from Claudia!"

I looked up in surprise and saw the rage in his bloodshot eyes.

"I'll keep her in line. I won't let her bother you." He struggled to speak in a normal tone, but he didn't realize his voice had risen considerably.

"Ariana, I know you hate me enough to want to drive everyone around me away, but Claudia is all I have left. If you've got a problem, come at me instead!"

He tilted his head slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing anxiously. He spoke softly but firmly. "Even if it costs me my life!"

At that moment, I felt like a massive wall was rising inside me, suffocating me until I could hardly breathe.