Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)
Chapter 0649

My body wasn't seriously harmed, but my emotional distress had caused me to be unconscious for quite a while. The doctor performed a simple examination and told me I could be discharged. Nicholas walked the doctor to the door as I tentatively stood up and took a few steps. Apart from feeling weak, there didn't seem to be any other issues. "How long was I unconscious?" Seeing the faint blue tint on Nicholas's jaw and the stubble that had grown, I could tell I hadn't been out for just a short time. But when unconscious, one had no sense of time. "Two days," Nicholas said as he walked over.

"Two days? Tell me everything that happened in those two days," I said. Thinking about Claudia's earlier words, I added, "And is it true that Frances' case is being retried?" Nicholas didn't answer my question. Instead, his brows furrowed with worry as he took my hand and pulled me into his arms. "You scare me these past two days." Wrapped in his warmth, I looked up at him. His sharp jawline seemed even more pronounced than before he must have lost weight in just these two days.

I couldn't help but think that if time could freeze at this moment, it might count as a rare moment of peace. But peace had always been far from my reach.

"It's my fault. I should have sent you home immediately. Then, none of this would've happened," he said, his voice heavy with regret.

Perhaps some things in life were meant for me to endure, and no matter how I tried to escape, I couldn't avoid them.

"Even if I had gone home, something else might have triggered it. It was bound to happen sooner or later."

"Promise me you won't put yourself in danger again, okay? If anything happens, tell me I'll handle it. Or let me stay by your side so I can protect you. That's the only way I'll have peace of mind." The look in Nicholas's eyes was indescribably tender, but could I afford to indulge in such tenderness?

The situation between us needed time-a separate period where I could think things through carefully and make a decision.

But now wasn't the time. I just had too much to do.

"I'm sorry for worrying you." His

fatigue was evident on his face, and I didn't know how long it had been since he'd last slept. "Once we're back at Coral Villa, you should get some proper rest."

"Alright."

Nicholas' hand gently brushed my face. Seeing that I didn't push him away, his rough thumb softly caressed my cheek. I nudged him but couldn't move him.

There was a softness in his gaze, like a tranquil spring, and I feared that if I kept meeting his eyes, I'd drown in the depth of his tenderness.

Instinctively, I tried to evade him. I reached out, wrapped my hand around his thumb, and guided his hand away.

Lowering my eyes, I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, the lingering warmth burning its way into my heart.

Clearing my throat, I said, "I'm fine now. Let's get ready for discharge. How is Tabitha doing? What's the situation with The Secret? And need to find Neal immediately."

Thinking about this, an ache swelled in my chest again. How I wished no one had been hurt because of me. How I wished all of this was just a bad dream.

"You've worried about me and everyone else, yet you haven't spared a single thought for yourself. Aren't you going to ask how your own health is?"

I was momentarily stunned. "I feel fine. Nothing feels uncomfortable. I know my own body."

"When you were unconscious, I had the doctor run every test they could. The doctor said your body is severely undernourished."

Nicholas's gaze deepened, looking

at me like was something fragile "Especially when I saw you lying lifelessly on the hospital bedel was heartbroken."