Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
Chapter 0556

Chapter 0556

The next day, I woke up alone in bed. Before I could even piece together my missing memories from last night, I felt an overwhelming urge to fall back asleep immediately.

My head throbbed, but I still remembered today's schedule. Douglas and I were supposed to meet with the person in charge of the securities firm. Clearly, that wasn't happening.

I forced myself to send a text to Douglas. Then, I told Wendy that I'd had too much to drink and asked her to let Tabitha stay at Nicholas' place for another night.

Once everything was arranged, I surrendered to the weight of my eyelids, letting unconsciousness claim me entirely.

When I came to, I was hit with a splitting headache and a cacophony of noise. My phone, the doorbell, and someone banging on the door were all going off at once.

Frowning, I tried to locate the source of the chaos. It took me a moment to realize my phone had slipped between the bed frame and mattress. The vibration against the wooden headboard was deafening.

I tried to retrieve it, but my entire body felt like jelly. After struggling for ages, all I managed to do was break into a sweat. Just as the phone finally stopped buzzing, the pounding on the door downstairs grew louder.

The moment I sat up, the room spun around me. It took me a while to realize that I was sick.

During my pregnancy, the doctors often reminded me that my health was fragile and that my body had been weakened. But after giving birth to Tabitha, I rarely fell ill-I couldn't afford to.

Tabitha didn't have a father. So as her mother, I couldn't let my guard down, not even for a moment.

But now, knowing Tabitha might have another home beyond just me, I'd let my guard down. And in my moment of weakness, illness took hold.

Reflecting on it deeply, I dragged my exhausted self to the door. When I peeked through the peephole and saw who was outside, I couldn't help but laugh angrily.

Making it downstairs felt like it had drained half my life. And I didn't go through all that just to see him.

"Nicholas, get lost!" My own voice startled me. It was raspy and hoarse, like a duck's quack.

Forget about sounding intimidating, just yelling drained all my energy.

I slid down against the door, sitting weakly on the floor. At that moment, I thought that even if I were to die right here and now, I'd never want anything to do with Nicholas again. It hurt too much.

And I was mad at myself. Why hadn't I built a fortress around my heart by now? How could someone who'd long been sentenced to "death" in my mind still hurt me with his push-and-pull games?

I lightly banged my head against the doorframe, trying to clear my thoughts. But the dizziness only worsened.

"Ariana, you're pathetic," I cursed myself silently.

"Ariana, open the door! You don't sound right. Are you sick? Open up! Let me in so I can check on you!"

Nicholas' voice grated on my nerves, his shouting making my head throb even more. I collapsed onto the cold floor, grateful for the cool surface against my feverish skin. I heard his footsteps retreating, his voice fading until it was gone.

My thoughts remained clear, but my body refused to cooperate. I mentally mapped out where my backup phone was and the easiest route to reach it.

I needed to call for help. If I didn't get to a hospital, I might not make it through the day.

But even with a plan in place, I couldn't summon the strength to stand. No matter how hard I tried, my body wouldn't obey, and a wave of bitterness swelled in my chest.

They said that going to the hospital alone when one was sick was the height of loneliness.

But what did they call it when someone was right there, close enough to help, and all I could do was push them away?