Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

"Christopher?" I gasped.

I had planned to slip away quietly, but Christopher's desperate cries were so loud they drew a crowd.

It was then I realized Coral Villa looked the same as before, yet it had changed in so many ways. Otherwise, where did all these people come from?

A guard in black kicked Christopher hard in the back, sending him sprawling face-first into the ground. Another guard pinned his arms behind him, while two more stood in front of me protectively.

As I looked back, Nicholas strode forward, trailed by a line of caretakers. The scene was so absurd that I didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.

Nicholas reached me in a few quick steps and pulled me behind him. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head and instinctively pushed his hand away, putting some distance between us. I pretended not to notice the fleeting disappointment in his eyes as I walked up to Christopher and looked down at him.

and dust clung to Christopher's lips as he lay on the

mercy,

too. You know what it's like for a child to grow up without a father, what they'll

plead like this as if each word were a knife aimed at my heart.

shoes landed squarely on

family's affairs, not to make

called me his wife again. With so many people around, I decided not to correct him. But the moment softly called his name,

was the way his foot retreated, and the faint smile that played on his lips as he

worked at Coral Villa long enough to know that

had grown more unpredictable. Even the slightest sound could set him off. If not for the high pay,

looked on in disbelief.

only gave Nicholas a sidelong glance and asked, "What do you mean by handling his family's affairs'? Are you planning to