Trouble in Paradise



Chapter 0577

I was about to take Tabitha to kindergarten in the morning when two bodyguards stopped me at the door.

One of them looked apologetic and said that Tabitha and I weren't allowed to leave the house together. I could go out alone, but only Wendy, accompanied by the bodyguards, could take Tabitha to school.

I glanced back and saw Nicholas standing on the upstairs landing, his expression cold and indifferent. I knew it was all his doing.

Nevertheless, I didn't argue. There was nothing to say. No matter what I said, it wouldn't change the outcome.

Besides, given Tabitha's sensitive nature, any shift in my emotions would only make her anxious. Just as Nicholas often reminded me, we had to play the role of a loving couple in front of Tabitha.

I held her hand and waved at Nicholas. "Say goodbye to Daddy! Tabitha is off to school now!"

Tabitha's eyes stayed on Nicholas. She didn't say anything, but her gaze seemed to soften him. His expression grew noticeably gentler.

I handed her over to Wendy and grabbed my car keys. As I turned to leave, Nicholas called out, "Where are you going?"

With Tabitha gone, I didn't need to hold back. "What's this? Have your rules changed? Do I need to report to you every time I leave the house now?"

His face twisted with pain. His fever hadn't gone down, and his hoarse voice sounded like it belonged to someone else.

"Can't you say something else to me when we talk?"

I glanced toward the courtyard, watching as Wendy buckled Tabitha into her seat while the bodyguards stood ready.

I was eager to leave and replied dismissively, "What do you want to hear?"

My mind wasn't on him. Even if he listed his wishes, I wouldn't comply. Nothing I said or did could change the current state of things between us.

"I thought you might at least ask how I'm feeling or whether I've eaten."

"You're still sick, and you haven't eaten. I don't need to ask. I can see it."

Tabitha's car was already pulling away. I didn't have time to linger. "All right, we're done here. I'm leaving."

Was Nicholas naive, or just plain foolish? Once, I might have fussed over him endlessly, calling him "honey" and worrying about his health. I'd make sure he ate on time, even going so far as to prepare breakfast for him every day for a year, knowing full well he wouldn't eat it.

But those days were over. He was the one stuck in the past, not me. He was an adult now, and I no longer had to bear the burden of his emotions.

I couldn't afford it. His emotions were like a black hole, dragging me down with them. I'd be shattered by even one misstep. The cost was too great.

I quietly followed Tabitha's car to the kindergarten. At the gate, I watched her walk in by herself. At least I got to

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It wasn't until her little figure disappeared from view that a wave of sadness hit me. Would Tabitha and I never be able to go out together again?

Lost in thought, I suddenly heard a commotion behind me.

I turned and saw a metal rod, as thick as a baseball bat, swinging straight toward Nicholas' face. I could even

hear the wind whistling as it cut through the air.

The rod narrowly missed him, brushing against his sleeve before slamming into the ground. Nicholas barely dodged in time.

My mouth fell open in shock. It was broad daylight, with parents dropping off their children. How could something so brazen happen here? And one of them was Nicholas? When did he follow me here?

But I didn't have time to dwell on it. Three men surrounded Nicholas, each wielding a large rod. Their vicious expressions made it clear they weren't holding back.

"What are you standing there for? Get in the car and run!" Nicholas turned and shouted at me, his voice urgent.