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.

accused him of exposing himself on social media for Claudia, he offered no explanation. He didn't even say goodbye.

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

hadn't felt much about it last night, or this morning, but maybe the alcohol

to "human nature". Nicholas had his flaws, and I had mine. Acknowledging it for what it

the alcohol catching up to me. Douglas

in a perfectly straight line out of

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

How I'd managed to find my car and get inside without incident was beyond

lazily on the backseat. The

been dozing when the car door

out his face, but I was sure Douglas

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

gentle!" I

to drink and could sit still, I