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

came to pick up Tabitha, he was distant, unlike the warmth

but maybe the alcohol was hitting me harder now, and I

and I had mine. Acknowledging it for what it was, I indulged in

went to find Douglas when I felt the alcohol catching up to

walking in a perfectly straight line out

breeze didn't

find my car and get inside without incident was

tune, I leaned back lazily on the

idea how long I'd been dozing when the car door opened. A

couldn't make out his face, but

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

gentle! Be gentle!"

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