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.

Christopher's lips as

know I was wrong. Please, ask Mr. Hawk to show mercy, to spare my family. My son is only 10 years

like for a child to grow up without a father,

seen someone plead like this as if each word were a knife aimed at my

step forward. His leather shoes landed squarely on

so you could handle your family's affairs, not to make a nuisance of yourself in front of

not to correct him. But the moment softly

them-it was the way his foot retreated, and the faint smile that played on his

had all worked at Coral Villa long enough to know that our relationship

after I left without a word three years ago, his temper had grown more unpredictable. Even the slightest sound could set him off. If

they looked on in disbelief. They seemed to think

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