NovelBookChapter 0606
I quickly got ready and waited for Nicholas to pickup. He had called earlier, saying he'd wrapped up work
early. He asked if | wanted to join him to pick up Tabitha from school.
| immediately caught the hopeful tone in his voice but still turned him down.
Lately, Nicholas had been eager to takeand Tabitha out. He wanted to go for a walk, visit random places,
and have fun.
| wasn't sure if he was trying to make up for something or if he simply wanted the feeling of having his wife and
child around.
But Tabitha's health wasn't in a state to be out in crowded places, and | didn't want to go out with him alone. So |
refused every time.
| didn't want to be involved with Nicholas anymore. | didn't want any of us to make the headlines again,
becoming a scar in each other's hearts.
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Eventually, I'd leave with Tabitha. When that tcame, | hoped to slip away quietly, not with the chaos that
once surrounded us. The fewer traces | left behind, the better.
Nicholas obviously didn't know my worries. He didn't address my refusal and said, "Aren't we taking Tabitha to
the hospital tomorrow? We can go to her school together and talk to the teacher about her condition. If the
doctor asks anything, as parents, we shouldn't be clueless.
Thesitated for a moment, thinking of a dozen excuses. | could say | had something to handle, but Yasmine's
matter didn't seem urgent enough to be an excuse.
Besides, if | said | had something to deal with, Nicholas would definitely ask for details, digging until he got to the
bottom of it.
In the past week, Jones Corporation had secured more big projects than in the last three months combined.
Everything was going too smoothly, almost unnaturally so.
Douglas toldthat although Nicholas hadn't made a public appearance, he had already given his approval
behind the scenes. All of Jones Corporation's business activities in the capital were greenlit.
No one could figure out my relationship with Nicholas now, and no one dared to cross us. If | told Nicholas | had
pressing matters, it would undermine his efforts. He would not let it go.
After thinking it through, | realized there was nothing he couldn't handle, and no excuse that could be more
important than Tabitha.
Two hours later, the front door swung open abruptly. Nicholas strode in quickly.
When he saw me, | was the only one in his eyes. "Ariana, have you been waiting long?"
"No..." | shook my head, glancing at the clock on the wall. "How are you here so early?"
It wasn't even tfor Tabitha to finish school yet. I'd been lounging on the couch, drowsy, not even hearing his
car approach.
"I rearranged my meetings, shortened them. | wanted to chearlier."
His dark eyes were brighter than the sunlight outside, filled with a warmth that made it hard to refuse. He stood
right in front of me, just a few inches away, and gavea gentleman's bow.
"May | invite you to have afternoon tea with me? | had my secretary book a place. The atmosphere is very
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmserene. I'm sure you'll like it!"
As he bowed, he smoothly took my hand, gently squeezing it twice before resting it on his chest.
The strong beat of his heart under my palm immediately pulled up familiar memories. The pain madequickly
pull my hand back, so suddenly that even Nicholas was startled.
Tabitha isn't home. You don't need to do this," | said, turning my face away to avoid his gaze. His attempt at a
casual excuse-afternoon tea-only mademore uncomfortable. He wasn't the type to enjoy tea or care about a
restaurant's ambiance.
| didn't need him going out of his way for me.
In my mind, he was supposed to be reserved, someone whose thoughts | had to decipher. Even if he professed
his love, | couldn't bring myself to trust him entirely.
He was now so straightforward. He had been openly tellingthat he was putting in effort for my sake, showing
his care for me. It madefeel like | was under attack, my nerves stretched taut.
"No need, | already had lunch," | coldly rejected him.
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