Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
Chapter 0609

Chapter 0609

Suddenly, a force pulled on my hand, startling me.

My reflexive jerk knocked the bowl, making it wobble noisily against the table. The clattering sound felt louder than the pounding of our hearts.

"Sorry," I muttered, quickly steadying the bowl.

I glanced up at Nicholas. His hand froze midair, still holding the fork and spoon. After a moment, he placed them in front of me.

"I was just getting you some utensils," he said softly, although his tone carried a heavy weight

"Can you try not to push me away so much?

I didn't know how to respond. Lowering my gaze, I busied myself with reaching for the utensils on the table. To my surprise, he held on tightly to one end. He refused to let go even as I tugged.

I couldn't help but remind him, "Nicholas, everything we're doing now is for Tabitha. And don't forget, I'm leaving once the month is up. That's what you promised me."

Nicholas and I had already said both the things that should and shouldn't be said. Our relationship was like being stuck in a maze. No matter how much we circled, we always ended up back where we started.

"Don't tell me it's just for Tabitha. I don't believe you don't feel anything for me. If you didn't, why haven't you let anyone else in these past three years? Just give me a chance, Ariana. Let me take care of you. I'm tired of reminding you over and over, but you keep pushing me away.

His eyes stubbornly bore into me, searching for an answer. Under his piercing gaze, I couldn't help but lower my eyes.

Meeting his stare felt too awkward, so I instinctively let go. The sudden release caused Nicholas' elbow to slam hard against the back of the chair beside him.

A dull thud echoed through the room, and my palms started to sweat from the tension. He frowned slightly, his expression growing even more strained.

Grabbing a napkin, I crumpled it in my hands before standing. "Actually, I'm not that hungry," I said, already tuming to leave.

Nicholas called after me. "If the food doesn't appeal to you, maybe try this instead.

There was a delicately wrapped gift box sitting at the edge of the table. I hadn't paid it much attention earlier. But now as Nicholas pushed it toward the center, it drew my gaze. It turned out to be an exquisitely packaged takeout box

No need...

My toes curled awkwardly against the cool floor, the chill spreading through me. Before I could finish, he cut me off.

"I went out and got it while you were napping this aftemoon. Since you didn't come with me, I figured I'd bring it back. If you eat it, we can count it as having shared a meal."

"Does it even matter if we share a meal or not?

"It matters," he replied, his voice resolute.

I looked at him as he spoke, word by word. "In the nearly eight years we've been married, I've never sincerely invited you to a meal without any ulterior reason. But now, I just want to have a simple meal with you."

I couldn't help but smile a little, although my heart felt a pang of bitterness. "You don't have to be that honest."

Was he being open, or was this just cruelty?

I remained still, unsure of what to do. Nicholas continued, "If you don't want to eat it, I won't force you. I can just throw it away."

If he was just going to throw it away, why did he ask me at all?

I turned and walked to the elevator, his labored breathing heavy in my ears. Just as the doors slid open, I glanced back and saw him toss the boxes into the trash.

He kicked the corner of the table hard. I couldn't hear it, but I could imagine the screech of the table leg scraping against the floor.

I turned away, unwilling to look any longer. If it hurt him this much and was this unbearable, then why did he go to such lengths for me?