Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 681

It wasn't until Leo was wheeled out of the operating room that I finally saw Yasmine and Nicholas in the ward.

The two of them exchanged a silent glance when they saw me and turned away in unison, as if by mutual agreement.

I couldn't help but feel that the tension between them had somehow lessened. But it was just as well—I didn't dwell on it.

I stayed with Yasmine to help settle Leo into the ward before pulling her to rest in the adjacent room.

In just a few hours, Yasmine had grown visibly haggard. "The doctor said it was fortunate the shot missed its mark. A little to the left, and…"

"Leo is lucky. He'll be fine," I reassured her again. Then, glancing up, I noticed Nicholas standing at the doorway, looking at me with pitiful eyes like an abandoned puppy.

I opened my mouth, thinking of inviting him in, but decided against it. Perhaps he was mindful of the impropriety of entering Yasmine's ward.

Still, his gaze was so open and pleading, as though he were seeking comfort. It was strange—he rarely revealed such an expression in front of others.

Noticing the atmosphere, Yasmine said, "Alright. Go on now. Let me rest for a bit."

I was about to protest, unwilling to leave her alone in the hospital, but before I could speak, Nicholas nodded. "If you need anything, just call me."

With some light pushing and pulling, I was coerced into Nicholas' car. It was then that I realized what had just happened. "Why were you in such a rush to leave?"

He hesitated for a moment while starting the car. "It's nothing. You staying there would've made your friend feel uneasy. Right after you left her ward, I saw her slip back into the one next door."

"She needs to rest!"

Seeing his growing disappointment, I closed my eyes slowly. It wasn't until we were nearing the Coral Villa that I finally spoke.

"Tomorrow, can you stay home and look after Tabitha and Cory? I'll be going to the police station, then to the prison. I want to check on Frances and Claudia."

Nicholas' face turned slightly pale. "Tomorrow? That won't work…"

I opened my eyes to look at him, waiting for him to explain further.

After a moment's thought, he said, "We're planning to adopt Cory, aren't we? But we don't have a marriage certificate.

"In our current situation, it's not possible to go through with the adoption. I've arranged a meeting for tomorrow. I need you to come with me so we can proceed with everything."