Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

Chapter 0555

The next day, Douglas and I attended a dinner party. It wasn't for anything specific-just a chance to meet people and network.

It had been ages since I drank this formally. With me being a new face to most, curiosity brought a steady stream of people holding up their glasses to me.

Tonight, I didn't need to worry about Tabitha, so I accepted every drink offered.

Having lived for so many years, everyone here clearly knew how to liven up a gathering. Toasts and small talk flowed effortlessly, but no one revealed anything meaningful.

We shook hands, clinked glasses, and exchanged vague promises of "next time, for sure".

The adult world worked like this. With a quick calculation of pros and cons, one could magically gain a circle of new "friends" overnight.

Somewhere between drinks, my mind began to wander. I couldn't help but think of Nicholas leaving in silence last night.

himself on social media for Claudia, he

morning, when he came to pick up Tabitha, he was distant, unlike the warmth he'd shown

night, or this morning, but maybe

had mine. Acknowledging it for what it was,

when I felt the alcohol catching up to me. Douglas nodded, promising

in a perfectly straight line out

The breeze didn't sober

felt invincible. How I'd managed to find my car and get inside without incident was beyond me. Clearly, I was

leaned back lazily on the backseat. The indulgence

been dozing when the car door opened.

blurry vision, I couldn't make out his face, but I was sure Douglas had

He was tall, decently good-looking, but I didn't like him. He started fastening my seatbelt or, as it

gentle!" I kept

you hadn't had so much to drink and