Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 530

"Christopher?" I gasped.

I had planned to slip away quietly, but Christopher's desperate cries were so loud they drew a crowd.

It was then I realized Coral Villa looked the same as before, yet it had changed in so many ways. Otherwise, where did all these people come from?

A guard in black kicked Christopher hard in the back, sending him sprawling face-first into the ground. Another guard pinned his arms behind him, while two more stood in front of me protectively.

As I looked back, Nicholas strode forward, trailed by a line of caretakers. The scene was so absurd that I didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.

Nicholas reached me in a few quick steps and pulled me behind him. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head and instinctively pushed his hand away, putting some distance between us. I pretended not to notice the fleeting disappointment in his eyes as I walked up to Christopher and looked down at him.

Blood and dust clung to Christopher's lips as he lay on the ground, pleading.

"Ariana, please. I know I was wrong. Please, ask Mr. Hawk to show mercy, to spare my family. My son is only 10 years old—he needs his father.

"Ariana, you have a child too. You know what it's like for a child to grow up without a father, what they'll have to face. Ariana, please, I'm begging you…"

I had never seen someone plead like this as if each word were a knife aimed at my heart. My Tabitha didn't have a father either...

Before I could react, Nicholas took a step forward. His leather shoes landed squarely on Christopher's mouth. I had never seen him with such a fierce expression.

"I let you out so you could handle your family's affairs, not to make a nuisance of yourself in front of my wife."