Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 649

My body wasn't seriously harmed, but my emotional distress had caused me to be unconscious for quite a while. The doctor performed a simple examination and told me I could be discharged.

Nicholas walked the doctor to the door as I tentatively stood up and took a few steps. Apart from feeling weak, there didn't seem to be any other issues. "How long was I unconscious?"

Seeing the faint blue tint on Nicholas's jaw and the stubble that had grown, I could tell I hadn't been out for just a short time. But when unconscious, one had no sense of time.

"Two days," Nicholas said as he walked over.

"Two days? Tell me everything that happened in those two days," I said. Thinking about Claudia's earlier words, I added, "And is it true that Frances' case is being retried?"

Nicholas didn't answer my question. Instead, his brows furrowed with worry as he took my hand and pulled me into his arms. "You scare me these past two days."

Wrapped in his warmth, I looked up at him. His sharp jawline seemed even more pronounced than before—he must have lost weight in just these two days.

I couldn't help but think that if time could freeze at this moment, it might count as a rare moment of peace. But peace had always been far from my reach.

"It's my fault. I should have sent you home immediately. Then, none of this would've happened," he said, his voice heavy with regret.

Perhaps some things in life were meant for me to endure, and no matter how I tried to escape, I couldn't avoid them.

"Even if I had gone home, something else might have triggered it. It was bound to happen sooner or later."

"Promise me you won't put yourself in danger again, okay? If anything happens, tell me—I'll handle it. Or let me stay by your side so I can protect you. That's the only way I'll have peace of mind."

The look in Nicholas's eyes was indescribably tender, but could I afford to indulge in such tenderness?