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.

added, "But someone is

far

be taking care

past three years. If you still care about the past, maybe we could just take another

clearly!" I interrupted her, displeased that she brought up the past. It was because I cared too much about the past that I had come here in the first place! Suppressing my

emotion stirring inside me. But it didn't matter. I would feel better once I

"Mrs. Hawk..."

I didn't look back. I got into my car, tossed the files

Beth's expression slowly turned

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

door unlocking

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

bed, he felt inexplicably dejected. This damn

had another dream.

too hard and waking

when he turned over, he would've already kissed

to the