Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 559

I pretended not to hear Nicholas' words, turning my back to him and closing my eyes.

Yes, I had no conscience. If I were too sentimental, his care would only drag me back to the past. It would reopen old wounds and spark pointless debates about who was right and who was wrong.

But without a conscience, I could leave everything frozen at this moment. And that, perhaps, wasn't so bad.

As I was drifting off to sleep, he lifted the blanket and squeezed in beside me. His arm casually draped across my waist. My back pressed tightly against his chest.

Before I could say anything, his low and husky voice brushed against the nape of my neck, sending a tingle down my spine.

"Let me hold you for a bit. I promise I won't do anything. I'm tired too."

I tilted my head slightly to glance at him. Half his face was hidden in the shadow of my hair. His sharp features seemed even more gaunt than they had a few days ago.

He looked tired, truly tired. I gazed at him indifferently. Who had he been so worried about these past few days?

I propped myself up slightly and whispered, "You can rest here. I need to call Douglas."

"Don't move." Nicholas' eyes remained closed, but his voice carried a familiar authority.

His arm tightened around my waist as his hand slid up to rest on my shoulder. "Don't push yourself. Do you even know how far you can walk right now?"

His dark eyes opened abruptly, sharp at first but softening when they landed on me. He reached out, brushing his fingers against my cheek.

"Whatever you're worried about, leave it to me. You're sick. Do you really think I'd let you stress over another man's matters?"

I rolled my eyes and turned my head away. "What do you mean 'another man'? Why does it sound so twisted when you say it?"

His words wrapped around my heart like a feather, soft and warm. They sounded too beautiful.

Seeing my silence, Nicholas' expression turned faintly hurt. "You don't believe me?"

I snapped out of my daze and replied, "I do."

After all, he had always been like what he just said. Otherwise, I wouldn't have spent the first four years of our marriage feeling so content.

But somewhere along the way, I realized something. He wasn't just good to me. His shoulders weren't just for me to lean on.

When I loved him, I wanted more. I wanted to claim him entirely for myself. But now that I no longer loved him, I didn't dare to ask for more.

Nicholas was undoubtedly extraordinary. I had no doubt there would be women who didn't care about Claudia who would willingly accept his devotion. But that woman would never be me.