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.

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

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

or this morning, but maybe the alcohol was hitting me harder now, and

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

lose control in public. I went to find Douglas when I felt the

in a perfectly straight line out of the

breeze didn't sober me up but instead drenched me in a cold sweat.

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

back lazily on the backseat. The indulgence felt

when the car door opened. A hand

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

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

gentle!" I

had so much to drink and could