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.

social media for Claudia, he

he was distant, unlike the warmth he'd

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

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

public. I went to find Douglas when I felt the alcohol catching

a perfectly

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

I'd managed to find my car and get inside

back lazily on

long I'd been dozing when the car door opened. A hand grabbed

out his face, but

tobacco scent on him. He was tall, decently good-looking, but I didn't like him.

gentle!"

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