Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 556

The next day, I woke up alone in bed. Before I could even piece together my missing memories from last night, I felt an overwhelming urge to fall back asleep immediately.

My head throbbed, but I still remembered today's schedule. Douglas and I were supposed to meet with the person in charge of the securities firm. Clearly, that wasn't happening.

I forced myself to send a text to Douglas. Then, I told Wendy that I'd had too much to drink and asked her to let Tabitha stay at Nicholas' place for another night.

Once everything was arranged, I surrendered to the weight of my eyelids, letting unconsciousness claim me entirely.

…

When I came to, I was hit with a splitting headache and a cacophony of noise. My phone, the doorbell, and someone banging on the door were all going off at once.

Frowning, I tried to locate the source of the chaos. It took me a moment to realize my phone had slipped between the bed frame and mattress. The vibration against the wooden headboard was deafening.

I tried to retrieve it, but my entire body felt like jelly. After struggling for ages, all I managed to do was break into a sweat. Just as the phone finally stopped buzzing, the pounding on the door downstairs grew louder.

The moment I sat up, the room spun around me. It took me a while to realize that I was sick.

During my pregnancy, the doctors often reminded me that my health was fragile and that my body had been weakened. But after giving birth to Tabitha, I rarely fell ill—I couldn't afford to.

Tabitha didn't have a father. So as her mother, I couldn't let my guard down, not even for a moment.

But now, knowing Tabitha might have another home beyond just me, I'd let my guard down. And in my moment of weakness, illness took hold.

Reflecting on it deeply, I dragged my exhausted self to the door. When I peeked through the peephole and saw who was outside, I couldn't help but laugh angrily.