Trouble in Paradise

"Nicholas, have you forgotten that I'm the one who's been wronged here?" I yelled into the phone but only heard the dial tone in response.

If Nicholas and I were at odds, why didn't he just end things sooner? Nicholas said I never understood him, and at this moment, I admitted it.

I spent the entire night pacing the room until dawn. I wanted to see Brittany. Since I shouldn't be doing that, I tried calling Neal for help, but he didn't answer.

I was informed by the Criminal Investigation Division that Neal had been suspended for disciplinary reasons and was under investigation.

I didn't need to ask around to know which ward Claudia was staying in. I went straight to the top floor. The room was empty except for Claudia, who was sleeping soundly.

She woke up when I pushed the door open. "Ariana?"

"Claudia," I called her name as I approached her.

She struggled to sit up from the bed. The bandage on her right shoulder had seeped through with red blood, creating a grotesque and shocking sight.

Her face was pale, making her look fragile as if she could shatter at any moment. I couldn't help but smirk with a hint of sarcasm. No wonder Nicholas felt sorry for her.

Claudia suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me and curled up on the floor. She apologized profusely. "Ariana, I'm so sorry!"

She knocked her head on the floor with a thud.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"I really only vented to Brit about how I felt Nick was being distant. As you know, I've been with him since we were kids, and I didn't know how to handle him being cold. I didn't know Brit would go so far for me." I easily exposed her. "Then why did Brittany know where my phone was?"

"Brit said her phone was dead. At the time, my phone was also off, so I thought of using your spare phone

to call her.

"She came to visit me, and I was worried her family might worry about her. I'm sorry, Ariana. I shouldn't have let her use your phone."

"Calling is one thing, but why did Brittany know my bank account password? Claudia, who besides you knows that?"

"M-Maybe she guessed it."

I smiled faintly. "Claudia, do you even hear what you're saying?"

Claudia suddenly crawled a few steps closer to my feet. "Ariana, let's just forget about this. I don't want our relationship to be damaged because of someone else's mistakes.

"Also, Nick is very angry. I overbeard him on the phone saying that he's only targeting your friends right