Trouble in Paradise

© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Chapter 0587

Pete's words trailed off as he suddenly lowered his head. His entire upper body slumped out of the camera's frame, leaving only a blank white wall in view behind him.

What he didn't realize was that the play of shadows betrayed him-his trembling frame and the quick swipe at his eyes did not escape my notice.

"Pete..." I called softly.

"I'm here!" He quickly straightened up, forcing a smile. His eyes were red, and his voice cracked with a suppressed sob.

"I was really happy when I saw your call. I was just about to tell you that my dad and Marcus have softened a lot. They won't interfere with my marriage anymore-they can't even if they tried, I was going to say that I finally have control over my own life now."

He gave an awkward laugh. "But I guess that doesn't matter anymore. Art, I'll prepare a wedding gift for you. Don't worry. I'll be your family from now on. I won't let Nicholas bully you!"

I sighed quietly. It was obvious Pete had misunderstood my relationship with Nicholas.

If only things between us were as easily resolved as his were with his family. But he didn't know that the rift between Nicholas and me was only growing wider.

This conversation made one thing clear. There was no future for Pete and me, not even requiring a try.

Every time I'd considered giving it a shot with him, it had been a fleeting impulse. And each time, it felt like the timing was never quite right. Looking back, it was simply a matter of fate all those years or the lack of it.

Now that we were separated by both distance and circumstances, this was the best time for a clean break.

Since Pete had already misunderstood, there was no harm in letting him continue to believe it. I was confident that as long as he let go of any hope of being with me, time would eventually heal him.

I didn't correct him. "Take care of yourself, Pete..

A simple "hello" marked the beginning of a story. "Take care of yourself signaled its end.

The story of love between Pete and me should have ended long ago. I could only hope he'd find someone truly meant for him one day.

"Pete, when you do meet someone you truly love, you'll realize that missing out on me was a blessing in disguise."

Pete's lips moved slightly, curving into a self-deprecating smile. After 30 years of life, how could he not tell who was right and who was wrong for him?

Besides, what in life was truly right or wrong? More often than not, love came down to the simple desire to have someone. And for years, that desire had been directed at me.

As a child, he didn't understand, so he bullied me just to grab my attention. By the time he did understand and truly "wanted me, I had already become someone else's wife. Although we'd met first, he had lost his chance.

He was now painfully aware that "wanting" had become an impossibly difficult thing. Pete looked up, gazing at me through the camera as if committing every detail to memory.

"Ari, you must be happy. Promise me that." He just hoped that his sacrifice wouldn't go in vain.

I nodded firmly, giving him a smile in return.

When the call ended, a weight lifted from my chest. Not everyone could bear the burden of someone else's love so easily.

Talking things through with Pete and putting this matter to rest was perhaps the only thing I'd done right lately. But even as I hung up, I remained stuck in the chaos of Coral Villa.

A car hom blared outside, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked out of the window and saw Yasmine's car.

My phone buzzed urgently in my hand. When I answered, Yasmine's panicked voice burst through.

"Ari, come down now! Nicholas has gone mad-he's going to kill someone!'