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    Chapter 0569


    Nichs let out a low chuckle, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "I can let you in, but don''t say I didn''t warn you-once you step inside, I won''t let you leave again."


    My expression darkened. He must be out of his mind! What era did he think we were living in to pull something like this?


    "Nichs, what is this supposed to mean? We agreed that each of us would care for Tabitha on alternating days. You can''t just keep her with you all the time. She''ll miss me!''


    I tried to reason with him. But deep down, I knew it was pointless. Since he would resort to controlling Tabitha, he wouldn''t listen to logic.


    ''Exactly. That''s what we agreed on," Nichs replied, far calmer than I was. ''Ariana, what day is it today?"


    It didn''t matter what day it was or who Tabitha was supposed to be with. I wasn''t going to trust Nichs to return her tomorrow. I had to take her back today, and I wouldn''t let him see her again to avoid this ever happening again.


    I switched the call to speaker mode and quickly typed a message to Dous. I needed him to bring bodyguards before Nichs called for more of his men. Bodyguards weren''t his exclusive privilege.


    Regret gnawed at me. Dous had offered more than once to assign someone to my side, but I''d always refused, saying I didn''t need it.


    How foolish of me! It was beyond despicable to resort to these kinds of tactics. I felt ashamed for having been momentarily swayed by Nichs over the past few days.


    Trying to keep things from escting, I suppressed my frustration and spoke as calmly as possible.


    "I was sick yesterday, and Tabitha''s already spent an extra day with you. She''s supposed toe home with me today. You can''t deny me the right to see her. She''ll miss me too."


    Nichs was unmoved. "I told you-you cane in, but neither you nor Tabitha will leave."


    "Then we have nothing more to discuss."


    I had finished typing the final word of the message, determined not to waste another second on him. Just as I was about to hang up, his voice came through again.


    "Wait. Don''t hang up''Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I hesitated. "Unless you let me take Tabitha right now, there''s nothing else to say."


    His tone was indifferent. "Your nails are long; the sound of you typing is loud.


    My heart tightened. "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "Ariana, I know you too well. But let me wam you-don''t try anything reckless."


    At that moment, a rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, apanied by the arrival of Nichs'' car. The line went dead as the car door opened.


    I didn''t even realize it had started raining until I saw him step into a shallow puddle, the water sshing slightly as he approached.


    The driver hurriedly held an umbre over his head, but Nichs waved it away, taking it himself.


    As he walked closer, the overwhelming ckness of his presence seemed to block out all the light around me.


    I tried to lift my gaze but found even his umbre was ck.


    Nichs grabbed my wrist, pulling me under the umbre with him. The phone in my hand still disyed the unsent message I had typed.


    Lowering his head slightly, Nichs nced at the screen with an amused look. I struggled, but his grip was unyielding.


    He smiled-a rare, almost innocent smile. "I knew I understood you too well."


    As soon as he spoke, the curve of his lips ttened. His tone slowed.


    ''Tabitha cried herself hoarsest night when she didn''t see you. Wendy couldn''t calm her down no matter what she tried. I got home in the middle of the night and had to show her your picture just to stop the crying."


    "Stop it, Nichs!''


    Each word felt like a stab to my chest. It was my fault. I shouldn''t have gotten sick. If I hadn''t been ill, Tabitha wouldn''t have missed me. She wouldn''t have cried.


    "Let me in right now!"