Rift in the perfect picture

“His child is still alive. He shouldn’t just end his life!” I felt a sting in my nose as I continued, “A child can’t be without a father!”

“His child?” Claudia repeated softly, looking up in surprise. “You’re pregnant with Nick’s child?”

I nodded. A strange smile suddenly crossed her face as her voice turned sweet and incongruous with the current situation.

“Ariana, Nick would be ecstatic if he knew you’re pregnant with his child!”

Despite her initial reluctance to let me meet Nicholas, she was now taking the initiative to invite me to come along.

I glanced up at Nicholas, who was still on the rooftop, genuinely worried that he might just drift away with the wind.

Without much thought, I nodded. “Alright.”

However, Neal grabbed my arm and stared at me sternly. “Ariana, let Claudia go. If you have anything to say, you can have Claudia call you.”

He gripped my arm with such force that it hurt. As I met his piercing gaze, I could sense that he was urging me to trust him.

So, I had no choice but to comply and watch as Claudia dashed into the building, completely disappearing from my view.

Back in the police car, Neal immediately called for backup and told the driver in front, “This building is suspicious. Be prepared to break out at any moment! This woman is truly something else!”

A chill ran down my spine. “What do you mean?” I asked.

Neal only looked around cautiously and said nothing. I didn’t ask further and stared out of the window anxiously. Not having Neal’s keen awareness, I failed to sense anything amiss.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

But fortunately, nothing happened.

Meanwhile, a few men donning white coats gathered around Claudia as soon as she ran into the hospital building.

“You guys are utterly useless!” she seethed. “She was just downstairs–why didn’t you go after her? With so many of you, can’t you even catch one woman and two police officers?”

One of the men bent down beside her and said, “Ms. Quirk, it’s better not to act rashly.”

Claudia suddenly halted in her steps. She slapped the man hard, yet her grin grew wider.

.“Fucking plece of shit! Are you afraid of just two police officers? Do you think such cowards are worthy of

protecting me?”

The man who had been slapped didn’t seem annoyed. With a faint smile, he began, “Ms. Quirk, don’t forget that Mr. Fisher has always adored Ms. Jones since she was young.

“If she hadn’t been protected so well and had grown into someone who isn’t his type, you wouldn’t even have the chance to be his lover.

“Mr. Fisher might have promised you, but he still dotes on Ms. Jones. He can help you against anyone, but not against Ms. Jones–she’s his goddaughter, after all

Claudia fell silent, feeling disgusted at the mention of the word “goddaughter.”

“Got it,” she said, stiffening her lips.

As she turned to leave, a hint of malicious intention flickered in her eyes. She had submitted to a perverted old man just to leverage his influence and help, hoping that one day she’d gain power rivaling Nicholas‘. By then, she could do whatever she wanted to him.

But now that perverted old geezer told her she couldn’t even touch Ariana?

Living people were always a hassle. How could she prevent Nicholas‘ connection to a living person? Having finally reached the rooftop, Claudia felt irritated to see Nicholas wavering in the wind. His life belonged to her–how could he take his life so lightly?

“Nick, don’t you care about me anymore? It’s Claudia!” she shouted.

Slowly turning around, Nicholas met her gaze with a dazed expression.

“You’re finally here. After I die, Dad’s inheritance will all go to you and Mom because she’s his wife and you’re his daughter, and my inheritance will go entirely to Ariana….

He swallowed hard, gazing up at the sky as tears welled up in his eyes.

“No matter whether Ariana and I are divorced, she is still my wife and deserves to enjoy my wealth. I owe her the life of my two children, so I’ll pay with my own… he thought, as his sentence remained unfinished. “Nick, how can you be so foolish? Ariana doesn’t deserve this at all. I told her everything. I told her you were sick, but she wouldn’t even come to see you! Why would she care for you when she’s already gotten rid of your child?”