Trouble in Paradise

Pete must have hated me deeply. But to my surprise, he stayed by our side throughout Mom's cremation.

Nicholas said Pete needn't trouble himself with his family matters, but Pete shook his head. "I want to bid my farewell to Mrs. Jones."

I sighed inwardly and shifted my gaze from Pete to Nicholas Sure enough, Nicholas' eyes revealed a new level of curiosity. Pete's eyes were red, and he spoke only to me.

I wasn't sure if Nicholas deliberately stepped aside, or if Pete had genuinely found an opportunity, but he approached me when Nicholas stepped out to make a call.

His voice was low, almost like he was speaking to himself. "Ariana, if you encounter any troubles, remember that you can tell me. I'm not as useless as you might think." His words were so soft I almost couldn't make them out. It was as if he was speaking

more to himself than to me.

"Do all men like to put on a brave face?" I asked. "Neal told me something similar before, and then you suspended him."

I chuckled, but my comment seemed to set Pete off. Fuming, he glared at me. "So you went to Nicholas for help? Why couldn't you ask me?"

I sighed in resignation. "I did ask you."

He was about to say something else, but I cut him off. "Pete, it's my mom's funeral today. Can you let me have some peace?"

My words seemed to ignite him. He roared, "You know it's Mrs. Jones' funeral, but look at what you've done here!"

Although I realized Pete had some feelings for me, I hadn't truly felt it until now. His lack of boundaries was overwhelming, and his sudden closeness only made me want to distance myself more. Pete, are we that close?"

He let out a laugh as if he'd heard the funniest joke. He then squinted up at the cloudy sky.

"No. I just somehow know you wet the bed when you were five, stained your pants at school during your first period, and-

Charter 0105

"Stop." I interrupted and tried to explain. "Nicholas might be missing me too much. I've been abroad recently, and I didn't want him to feel hurt."

I blinked, recalling how Claudia had said the same thing to me once. She said she didn't want to upset Nicholas.

As I finished speaking, I saw Pete's face turn red. I wasn't sure if it was from anger or embarrassment from our discussion.

He maintained a cold expression. His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Do you really

love him that much?"

"Yes." I nodded. Seeing the dark fabric peeking out from the wall nearby, I raised my voice slightly and added, "I love him. I love him very much."

"Ariana, I don't think we'll even be friends after today, so I'm going to get to the bottom of this. We grew up together. I knew you first. What does he have that I don't?

I felt a sudden tightness in my chest and quickly glanced toward the corner. Relieved to see that the fabric was gone, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Like you said, we both know all the foolish things we did growing up. Even if you're now capable and hot, I still remember you eating your snot as a kid. You're a great person, but we're not meant to be." "If you think I'm so great, what are you afraid of? What if I don't mind that you're married?"

He was convinced I had my reasons. After all, when Nicholas forced me into jail, he had been the one handling everything for me.

But his confidence left me stunned. Hadn't I been rejecting him at every turn?

"You're great, but you're not right for me. You should find someone who lights up when they see you for the first time. And I'm not planning on divorcing Nicholas."

I continued humbly, "Marrying Nicholas now feels like a step up for me."

Pete tried to act casual. "Fine. Just wait until you're crying one day."

I smiled at him. I didn't cry even during Mom's burial. Since I had seen through love, I couldn't bear any emotional debt. It was too heavy and too painful.

I patted Pete on the shoulder, hoping for both of us to find relief.

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His tight lips visibly drooped, like a defeated lion. After Nicholas returned, Pete automatically stepped away from me.

Nicholas didn't ask questions. He just fixed his gaze on the funeral proceedings with an expression more solemn than even mine. Pete stayed close but at a distance until Mom was laid to rest.

Nicholas took me back to Coral Villa. Pete could no longer follow us. After we left the cemetery, we parted ways at the foot of the mountain.

If life was destined to be a storm, I hope no one stood beside me.

As I got out of the car, Claudia ran out of the villa. She knew it was Mom's funeral, yet she wore a bright pink dress and cheerfully jumped into Nicholas' arms.

I found the scene oddly familiar. But unlike before, I didn't stay in the car to watch or get out to wait for them to catch up. Instead, I headed into the villa alone.

A pair of men's slippers were neatly placed by the door, casual clothes were draped over the couch, and coffee had been brewed on the table.

I used to handle these things. It seemed that during my absence, Claudia had taken care of Nicholas like a wife. Someone eagerly wanted to take over my place.