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.

on social media for Claudia, he offered no explanation. He didn't even say

up Tabitha, he was distant, unlike the warmth he'd shown

it last night, or this morning, but maybe the alcohol was hitting me harder now, and I was

up to "human nature". Nicholas had his flaws, and I had mine.

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

straightened up, walking in a perfectly straight line out

against my overheated body, making me shiver. The breeze didn't

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

I leaned back lazily on the backseat. The indulgence

idea how long I'd been dozing when the car door opened. A hand grabbed my arm and yanked me upright from the

but

tall, decently good-looking, but I didn't like him. He started fastening my

gentle! Be gentle!"

the man said coldly. "If you hadn't had so much to drink and could sit