Rift in the perfect picture

Leo couldn’t take me away. Just as Nicholas had said, none of them could stand up to him, even together.

He had brought plenty of bodyguards today to ensure Pete’s wedding went smoothly. Yet, their mission had changed.

I stared blankly as Leo fought with Nicholas’s bodyguards for my sake, while Yasmine clenched her fists nervously.

Whatever her reasons for being with Leo, at the very least, they both gained something from the relationship. Maybe their feelings were genuine after all

I had worried about the two of them before, but now, they seemed to be doing better than me–at least happier.

Nicholas appeared by my side, his cold expression tinged with a hint of menace. “If they keep going, he won’t last much longer.”

His breath brushed against my ear as he spoke, sending a chill down my spine. I shivered, instinctively stepping away from his outstretched hand.

Nicholas’s hand clenched into a fist, and he punched it lightly against the air. He suppressed his anger and said, “We’ll talk when we get home.

Leo’s painful groans filled the air. While Nicholas spoke, Leo was being attacked by several bodyguards. While he protected his head, a sharp kick landed on his waist.

Yasmine looked like she was about to break her teeth from clenching them so hard. She glared at Nicholas furiously.

*If you have any guts, kill us now! Otherwise, don’t even think about getting any of us to stay!”

Leo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gave me a meaningful look. “I told you. I’ve been tough since I was a kid!”

Pete had finally broken free from Annie’s grasp and rushed out of the room. “Ari, I’ll call for help right away!”

I looked up at him. But at that moment, even Pete felt like a stranger to me.

Calling for help? What was the point of calling for help? Were they planning to let the media see a flood of bodyguards in the backyard and turn it into a headline?

“There’s no need, Nicholas. I’ll go with you,” I said calmly,

Pete forced a smile, disbelief written all over his face.

“Ari, after everything we’ve been through, you still can’t forgive me? He hurt you too. Would you rather go with him than let me help you?”

Nicholas’s icy gaze seemed to thaw lightly. Although his expression didn’t soften, something lightened in his eyes.

He couldn’t care less about anyone else, not even Claudia. The moment he held me, I shut my eyes,

feeling utterly worn out.

His warmth constantly seared the skin where he touched me. Once we got into the car, his kisses followed. His kiss moved from my forehead to the corner of my eyes, wiping away the hot, wet traces on my face.

I no longer had the strength to open my eyes. It was too painful to accept that everything had returned to this point again.

“Ari, you should be happy that we never truly separated. You’ve always been my wife. Let’s have another* child just for us this time, not for my dad. Let’s have a baby out of love…”

Love… Another child….

I let out a bitter laugh, my voice raspy as I replied, “You have no idea how much I suffered while I was pregnant.

“And that was just the physical pain. Plus, there was the torment you, your beloved sister, and father put me through.

“I hated you so much. How could I possibly bear another child for you? I wish all of you would just die.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

I spoke harshly, and Nicholas’s body seemed to freeze. Even the hand holding me grew cold. He pressed his cheek against mine, whispering softly, “Ari, don’t be like this.”

I smiled even brighter, although warm tears slid down my cheeks.

“Let me tell you about my dream. In the dream, our baby was crying. I wanted to hold and soothe her. But before I could reach her, she stopped.

“Right in front of me, her body slowly turned transparent, softening, like a delicate jellyfish in the sea. But In the end, her little heart just stopped beating…”

I asked him, “Nicholas, have you ever dreamed of our child?”

“No.” Nicholas thought for a moment before shaking his head.

“Perhaps she can’t forgive you either.”

“Ariana…” Nicholas suddenly stopped me. His voice carried a pitiful tone as he tried to defend himself. “It wasn’t my fault… I didn’t do anything.”

He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his loved one. He also couldn’t accept that people blamed him for everything.

He hadn’t even known about the pregnancy. Otherwise, he would have done everything he could to help

me

Nicholas tightened his hold on me. He thought as long as I gave birth to another child of his, we would become a family again.