Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

When faced with someone's direct concern, I often found myself at a loss. Especially when that person was someone you once thought should disappear from your life.

The doctor had said I could be discharged, but Nicholas insisted I eat something before leaving. I could only agree.

I thought it would be something simple, like a bowl of oatmeal, but the hospital room door was knocked on repeatedly, and one insulated food container after another was delivered.

When everything was delivered, Nicholas opened each container, set everything on the table, and then called me over to eat.

The more genuine he was, the harder it became for me to navigate the boundaries of our interaction. I couldn't bring myself to accept it wholeheartedly. Yet, in a way, I found myself disarmed by his sincerity.

He didn't even do much he didn't push for clarification about our relationship-but something as simple as the way he handed me a spoon when I glanced at the soup bowl was enough to leave me emotionally drained. I took a sip of the soup. Its gentle warmth seemed to soothe every corner of my heart.

"What are you planning to do about Frances?" I asked.

Nicholas' brow furrowed slightly, and his hand, which was serving food, paused. "She nearly took your life. She must face justice for what she's done and for my father, she must pay with her life."

Pay with her life... I set my utensils down and looked seriously in his direction.

"Nicholas."

you stop eating? You've had so little. Come on, eat a bit more," he said, gazing at me as though no one else in the world existed, his hand still

felt like there was a ball of cotton lodged in my chest-neither breathing in nor out could ease

I was really foolish.

and asked, "Do you think everyone who hurt your father deserves to pay

chuckled lightly. "Of

Frances raised him,

for her at all. Her life sentence for what happened to his father had been something he'd turned a blind eye to. But when she targeted me,

that his motivation to revisit the case stemmed from me. He didn't want me to carry the burden. He wanted to protect me and hoped

wasn't too late.

going to reopen the case, let me handle it. I promise those

Including... myself.

of giving me another chance to admit my mistakes. I was willing to face the consequences of my past and bear

took my hand in

much on your