Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

Chapter 0607

Nicholas' bright eyes dimmed instantly, a wave of dejection washing over him.

"I haven't eaten anything. I've been in back-to-back meetings and barely even had time for water. Can't you just keep me company?"

At that moment, I felt the fragile understanding between us was once again on the verge of breaking. I couldn't help but remind him, 'Tabitha isn't home. You don't need to act."

"Who's acting?"

Nicholas' voice was hoarse as he continued, "When have I ever acted in front of you? When I laugh, cry, feel joy or sadness, you've seen it all. I've lost all my pride, my image. What's left to pretend? Back when we first got married, that was acting.

"I'd straighten my back, clench my teeth, and present the perfect version of myself to you. I didn't dare get too close or touch you. I was afraid I'd fall for you.

Yet, deep down, I selfishly wanted you to like me a little more. I enjoyed having a wife who admired me. That was acting!"

Before I could respond, Nicholas scooped me off the couch, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist

Resting his chin on my shoulder, he murmured with a hint of grievance, "Back then, I acted too much. Now, I just want to show you the real me. I regret wasting all that time we could've had."

Nicholas said so much in one breath that my mind stalled, my response dry and stiff. "You don't have to go this far for me. We're only doing this for Tabitha..."

"I'm doing this for you even more!" Nicholas cut me off.

"If Tabitha wasn't your child, why would I care about her at all? She only exists because of you! No matter how much I love her, she'll always come second to you!"

"Nicholas..." I tried to interrupt, but he pressed on.

"I've read every single post on your Facebook. Over and over again. You never mentioned my name, but I know you were talking about me! You loved me for so many years.

"If you, as a young girl, could hold on to that love, why do you think I can't, as a man? What are you so afraid of? Why won't you believe in me?"

"Nicholas... That's all in the past. Stop it, please!" I didn't want to hear any more.

"Let me finish!"

He lifted his head and cupped my face with both hands. His unwavering gaze locked onto mine, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"I love you. I can start from scratch if I have to. But let me take a shortcut. Let me count the three years we missed as part of the time I've spent thinking about you day and night. It's not that I can't wait. I just can't hold back anymore. I want to start over with you. I don't want to waste another second!"

His words blurred into noise as I stared at his moving lips. All I could hear was a voice in my head screaming, "Push him away! Push him away!"

The thought grew louder and more insistent until I finally acted on it.

My hands shoved him with such force that I surprised even myself. Nicholas staggered back, taking several unsteady steps before stopping. His expression was one of disbelief and pain as he uttered, "Ariana.."

When it's time to pick Tabitha up from school, I'll come downstairs."

Leaving him with that, I turned and ran toward Tabitha's room. Once inside, I locked the door behind me and let out a heavy sigh.

Nicholas' confession about his past "acting" had come far too late. It was so late that hearing it now didn't hurt anymore.

In fact, I almost wish he still was the man he used to be. At least then, I'd know how to handle him, how to keep my guard up without giving him a sliver of my true feelings.

But now? He'd placed his beating heart right in front of me, telling me it was his love for me that kept it alive.

But I never saw that heart before. Was I supposed to believe him when he said it was real? The only thing keeping me grounded was the belief that all of this-every single day-was for Tabitha. What else could I tell myself?

The only thing I could do was to seal away my own broken, battered heart and keep it locked up tight.