Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

I stepped out of the room the moment I saw Claudia tugging at Nicholas's clothes. Watching any longer would have been inappropriate.

It was late, and everything around was quiet. I gently closed the door behind me, not wanting to disturb them.

I hadn't noticed when Beth arrived, but as I looked up, I saw her limping toward me.

"Mrs. Hawk, I'm so sorry for being late. Why didn't you go inside and wait?"

Her voice was soft, but when she saw me, she grew emotional. Her voice was choking up as she continued, "Did you tell Mr. Hawk you were here? He would be so happy to know."

I smiled faintly and calmly took what I needed from her hands. "Don't call me Mrs. Hawk anymore. Just call me Ms. Jones like Nicholas does."

I handed her the ointment I had bought for Nicholas. "I'm leaving."

"But..." Beth raised her hand slightly to stop me.

Noticing her gaze fixed eagerly on the doorknob, I hesitated for a second before saying, "Nicholas has drunk too much..."

It shouldn't be considered too much, or he wouldn't have the energy for what he was doing.

moment, I added, "But someone is

was far too calm. She raised

Villa. How could someone be taking care of him? Ms. Jones, are you sure? Let me go in

has been through a lot these past three years. If you

cared too much about the past that

indescribable emotion stirring inside me.

"Mrs. Hawk..."

I didn't look back. I got into my car, tossed the files onto the passenger seat, and drove off like I

Beth's expression slowly turned

and placed it in her bag. She then pressed her finger on the door lock sensor.

sound of the door unlocking echoed clearly in the quiet

next day around noon. He stared blankly at the ceiling for a couple of minutes

bed, he felt inexplicably dejected. This damn

another dream. If not

too hard and

he turned over, he would've already kissed me all over

to the