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.

of exposing himself on social media for Claudia, he

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

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

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

control in public. I went to find Douglas when I felt the alcohol catching up to me. Douglas nodded, promising to send someone to escort

in a perfectly straight line out

against my overheated body, making me shiver. The breeze didn't sober me up but instead drenched me

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

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

out his face, but I was sure Douglas had called a

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

Be gentle!"

much to drink and could sit still, I wouldn't need to