Trouble in Paradise

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In just a few seconds, time seemed to stretch unbearably long. I had no idea what Pete was thinking during that moment.

His fists were clenched so tightly that even his shadow trembled. His right foot lifted and dropped multiple times as if he was fighting the urge to approach the car and find out what was happening.

Although I knew he couldn't possibly see inside, it felt as if our eyes met in some inexplicable way. After what felt like an eternity, he finally turned and walked away with steady steps.

I wasn't sure if my eyes were wet or if his retreating figure blurred before me. All I knew was, I couldn't let him walk away like this. I had hurt him too much already.

But Nicholas wouldn't let me maintain any dignity.

I reached to roll the window down slightly, but Nicholas caught onto my intentions. He grabbed my wrist with one hand and lifted my other hand, the one trying to push him away, over my head.

Nicholas's gaze was scrutinizing. Just when I thought he was about to say something sarcastic, he leaned down and drowned me in another overpowering kiss.

I struggled to breathe. "Let me go, Nicholas. I don't want this anymore!"

A sharp pain shot through my tongue, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. Driven by primal urges, Nicholas seemed to be fueled by that blood and became more excited.

I closed my eyes and refused to look at him. My heart was overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness. How did I ever get entangled with someone like him?

I stopped struggling and let out a bitter laugh, resigning to my fate.

A loud tear suddenly broke the silence. The sound of fabric ripping was painfully clear in the confined space of the car. Nicholas froze for a moment before opening his dark and glistening eyes.

He glanced at me briefly before he stepped out of the car and slammed the door behind him.

Even at night, the summer air was stiflingly hot. He adjusted his disheveled clothes and exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself.

Nicholas no longer felt like himself. He always prided himself on being a gentleman, but tonight he had nearly forced himself on the woman he loved.

The night before I returned, he hadn't slept at all. He had spent the entire night reminiscing about our few shared memories, feeling as though the empty space in his heart was finally being filled. But now, I had ripped it wide open again.

The moment Pete showed up, he felt my body tense up. I was his woman, yet he had to tiptoe around another man. It was fucking insane!

A sudden loud bang came from the car. The entire vehicle shook as Nicholas punched the door. Shielding the torn fabric on my body, I opened the door and stepped out.

I saw Nicholas had slammed his fist into his car. What was his problem now?

I didn't want to deal with him anymore. My tongue was still throbbing from the pain! I scrambled into my own car, slamming on the gas as if I was fleeing from the scene.

In the parking lot, Nicholas let out a cold laugh. "Ran away again. Always running away."

I thought about calling Pete, but I remembered that Nicholas had tossed my phone onto his passenger seat.

When I finally got home, I was surprised to see Pete's car parked in the driveway.

A thin stream of smoke drifted out from a slightly opened window, curling upwards before dispersing into the air.

In all the years I had known Pete, he had never smoked, especially not since Tabitha was born. He rarely even drank unless it was for work.

I knew he was worried that the scent of smoke or alcohol on him was bad for her. But now, here he was, smoking because of me.

I pulled open the car door and sat down in the passenger seat. Pete was startled. He hurriedly stubbed out the cigarette and flung the door open, frantically waving his hands to clear the smoke.

I stayed silent. He didn't move either. After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke, 'Back so soon?"