Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

Chapter 0225

"Ariana!"

Claudia's eyes flared with fury as if she wanted to burn me to ashes in an

instant.

Infuriated, she shrieked, "Do you think you're safe just because you're pregnant?"

She was so enraged by me that she was practically hopping mad, but she couldn't do anything else aside from clenching her fists and glowering at me.

"A bastard! It must be a bastard! There's no way you could be pregnant. You clearly-"

"Claudia!" I interrupted, feigning a heartbroken expression. "I treat you like a sister. How could you curse my child like that?"

My heart pounded. It felt as if it might leap out of my throat at any time.

The door opened slowly, and the staff was gesturing for us to go on stage. Thinking about what was about to happen, I couldn't maintain my composure. I almost couldn't suppress the urge to cry. "Aspen... my dear Aspen... would you blame me?" I thought to myself.

line of sight. Standing in the

of their

back where we were about to step onto the stage. Once Claudia and I ascended the stage, the cameras would capture each and

I was about to lose my balance. I sucked in a deep breath and feigned a pained expression as I said, "Claudia, can you forget whatever grudge you have against me

+25 BONUS

time to ascend the stairs. Knowing how hot-tempered Claudia was, I knew she absolutely wouldn't remain behind

me. As she ran toward Nicholas, I let the effort she expended

over me.

next instant played out just as

in my mind. Claudia would rush past me, and I would lose my balance and tumble down the stairs after she knocked

collapse to the ground...

someone had pressed a slow-motion button while I was in the air for one brief second. Everything that came into my view became exceptionally clear. Nicholas, who always carried himself with a refined air, actually ignored Claudia for the first time

he frantically shouted

with a loud thud. As blood began pooling on

"Ariana!"

His hands clasping my shoulders trembled as he tried to comfort me. "It's going to be okay. Everything will

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