Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 585

A chill ran through me as the wind brushed against my skin. I turned to look at Nicholas. His eyes were closed, and he was sleeping soundly.

I felt a little dazed, unsure if it was just my exhaustion playing tricks on me or if the night had genuinely turned cold.

Neal's voice came through the phone, laced with a smile. "Let me know if you want. Don't worry about me. I'm not the same person I was three years ago. I have the power to handle this now."

"Congratulations. But it's not necessary. It won't change anything."

Seeing everyone around me becoming more successful, I couldn't help but feel happy for them. Neal, Pete, and even Yasmine—although their lives weren't perfect, they all shone in their respective fields.

Even Nicholas had grown over the past three years.

Nicholas might lower himself in front of me, but I knew the moment he stepped out of Coral Villa, he'd transform back into the untouchable Mr. Hawk of Radiant City.

And me? Three years had gone, but I had returned with nothing.

I chose to give up the career I had worked so hard to build. Whether because of my own past mistakes or the heavy toll of Claudia's injury, the one responsible for it all still lingered in my life, always presenting himself as the victim.

No matter how much I tried to push him away, he refused to leave, bringing nothing but emptiness.

At some point, Nicholas had released me. I sat up in the darkness and peeled off the fever patch Wendy had prepared. I gently pressed it against his forehead.

"Nicholas, I've never regretted meeting you. But the cost has been too high. I can't breathe anymore."

I stroked his cheek, tucked the blanket snugly around him, and walked out of the room alone.