Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 592

Upon hearing Nicholas' words, I couldn't deny the twinge of emotion that stirred within me.

Was this the misunderstanding Pete had hinted at between Nicholas and me? So Nicholas had actually cut ties with Claudia long ago?

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Had Nicholas not been with Claudia during the three agonizing years I spent abroad?

Then why didn't he even visit me when I was in critical condition during labor? If what he said about having no feelings for Claudia was true, then how much affection did he have for me?

If Pete had known all this, I couldn't tell whether it made him foolish or wise. Placing myself in his shoes, if I were him, I wouldn't have chosen to step aside over something like this. Loving someone was hard enough. Letting go of them was even harder.

Thinking of all Pete had endured alone for my sake, I wondered how I could ever repay such kindness. All I could hope for was that he'd find the happiness he deserved.

"Nicholas."

I lowered my gaze and pried his fingers off my wrist one by one. A single tear fell silently onto the back of my hand. "There's one thing I can't get past. I want you to explain it to me."

Nicholas sat upright, pulling my hand into his palm and brushing away my tears. "Go ahead."

"When I gave birth to Tabitha, the situation was critical. It was Pete and my friend, Deena, who stayed by my side.

"At the time, I thought I wouldn't make it. I asked Deena to contact Yasmine because I was afraid I wouldn't even get a chance to say goodbye to her—or have someone else I could entrust my child to.

She laughed wildly, abandoning all pretense in front of Nicholas. This was the Claudia I knew all too well—but it seemed Nicholas was seeing this side of her for the first time.

"Shut up!"

Nicholas glared at Claudia, his eyes burning with fury. He couldn't believe such venomous words had come from her.

His voice dropped to a harsh growl. "How could you say something so vile? It should've been you who died!"

However, Claudia wasn't fazed. She raised her chin arrogantly. "Without your love, what's the point of me being alive? Ariana, since Nick can't explain it to you, let me do it for him."