Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

Chapter 0523

When Nicholas reached out to embrace me, the touch of his skin felt almost magical, as if it peeled away my soul from my body.

My spirit floated above, watching the two people who should never have intersected, now tightly wrapped in each other's arms.

To make me more comfortable, Nicholas adjusted the hem of his shirt again and again, eventually taking off his coat and draping it over me. He treated me as gently as if I were an infant and even patted my back softly.

In that instant, my soul felt nourished. It seemed like it had been years since I had felt this relaxed, where I could let go of everything and focus on the simple act of sleeping. I found the most comfortable position and drifted off.

I have no idea how long I slept. But when my consciousness returned to my body, I was jolted awake.

gathering for noon so I could pick up Tabitha after school, but what time

just a few seconds, countless dire scenarios played out in my mind. What if all the other kids had been picked up by their parents, leaving her alone in

no idea where I was. I just knew I sprang from the bed, rushing toward the door bare feet. But when I flung it open and saw the scene outside, tears

in one arm while the other was raised as if he were about to

large and small, stared at me. For a moment, I didn't know how to tum from a near-broken mother into the warm, strong

me when I saw Tabitha's lips trembling as if she was about to cry along with me. If she screamed or acted out in front of Nicholas, would

first experience with the man she might one day call "Daddy" left her with nothing

did. He lifted his hand to shield Tabitha's eyes and softly kissed

to see you. Let's go grab a storybook, and later you can tell Mommy about it,

obediently wrapped her arms around Nicholas's neck. She wasn't screaming or repeating his words and was even more well-behaved than when

away, I felt my strength drain away. My grip on the doorknob loosened as I collapsed onto