Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

When did I become so important to Nicholas? Was it when I asked him with red eyes to choose between me and Claudia? Or was it when I submitted to him, obedient and seductive? Was it when I repeatedly insisted on a divorce? Or was it when he realized I could shine in other ways, attracting the attention of other men?

Not even Daniel left such a profound mark on his life, yet I, that woman he once dismissed, managed to do it.

I told him, "The dead can't protect the living!"

Perhaps, Nicholas still had someone he wanted to protect. He was willing to endure pain and keep living for her. He didn't want her to get hurt. Nicholas walked down from the rooftop with his legs that had long turned stiff.

When Claudia saw him, she threw herself into his arms. "Nick! I knew you couldn't bear to leave me!"

Nicholas looked down at her and gently pushed her away. He warned her indifferently, "Never do anything illegal again in this lifetime."

Claudia was lost in the joy of having someone to rely on again. Greedily, she wanted to breathe in more of the air filled with his scent.

She closed her eyes in ecstasy and whispered, "Got it, Nick. As long as you're alive, I'll always be your lovely sister. You need to let Ariana know that you're better off without her.

you're better, let's see how

coming down from the rooftop, I was overjoyed and wanted to cheer! But when I tried to speak into the phone, I realized it had been hung up at some point. I didn't even know for how long the screen had gone dark. But it didn't matter. Nicholas must have heard me,

patted my shoulder. "Let's go. Where do you want to go? I'll drive

me saying, "I'll wait for you at the place to start anew." He chose to respect

let Neal drive me in a police car? I wanted to get out first and

a police car slowly backing away. A look of sorrow

in my

accepted the call, I heard Nicholas's dry, hoarse voice. "Ariana, I can't die. I have someone I want to protect. I will try to live.

find you..." these were left unspoken as Claudia cried

find someone to unlock these handcuffs on my wrist first?

for him. I knew

at that moment,

unbearable pain. It was just a sense of helplessness as if I was filled with strength with nowhere to release