Chapter 61 Amusement Park
Even though the situation was resolved, my chest still felt tight and heavy.
"Not happy?"
I hadn't tried to suppress my emotions. The expression on my face laid bare what I was feeling inside. Nicholas noticed. He looked at me with concern.
Hearing his question, I let out a long breath. "Nicholas, I feel like I've suddenly lost my sense of direction."
No matter what, the four Rosewood brothers would unconditionally protect Sabrina. Even if I laid all the evidence right in front of them, not one would believe me.
What was the point of trying so hard?
"When you can't find your direction, why not stop and rest?"
The warm male voice carried a soothing power. I was somewhat taken aback.
I'd figured Nicholas might encourage me, or maybe say he'd help me himself. But I never expected Nicholas to say stop.
Stop. Try closing your eyes. Feel the direction of the path again.
Nicholas slipped one hand in his pocket. "Catherine, let me take you somewhere. A place where you can temporarily forget all your troubles."
"What place?"
I asked curiously. Could such an amazing place really exist?
Nicholas was mysterious. "You'll know when we get there."
The driver Miles followed Nicholas's directions and dropped us at a new destination, then quietly made himself scarce.
I stood at the entrance, looking up at this place full of childlike wonder before me.
An amusement park.
I frowned. "This is the place you said could make me forget all my troubles?"
Nicholas nodded noncommittally. "Let's go in. I bought passes for all the rides."
He waved two park tickets in front of me, looking somewhat eager to try everything.
I took the ticket, but my feet felt glued to the ground. My gaze passed through the gates to look inside. It was lively—laughter and screams rang out constantly. Just listening to it sparked endless imagination.
This place had once been beyond my reach. I'd even forgotten this small wish of mine. Then suddenly one day, someone caught me off guard and made it come true.
I had no preparation for it. Instead, my heart filled with reservations.
"What are you thinking?" Seeing me standing motionless, Nicholas bent down to meet my eyes.
His face filled my vision. Certain suggestive images automatically flashed through my mind.
My ears suddenly burned red. I stepped back twice to create distance. "Nothing. Let's go."
My steps were hurried—a hasty retreat. A laugh of unclear meaning came from behind me.
Instantly, my face burned even hotter like charcoal, and my steps quickened further.
At the ticket gate, I couldn't help sighing. "Being rich is really nice!"
"Being friends with me isn't a bad deal, right?" Nicholas heard me and asked with a smile.
I knew he was referring to something from before. Back when I heard Sabrina had hooked up with a rich kid, I'd been envious and joked about wanting to be friends with someone like that too.
I hadn't expected Nicholas to remember.
Feeling somewhat helpless, I played along. "Not at all. Without you, I'd still be standing in line back there!"
Nicholas was quite pleased with this. "Smart of you."
I couldn't help smiling. My mood gradually relaxed.
Nicholas had spent three times the original price to buy super VIP tickets that let us use express lanes. We could ride anything without waiting in line.
I got to ride his coattails.
Of the hundred-plus attractions in the park, Nicholas dragged me to the most thrilling ones. We experienced everything—sky-high and underground.
I felt like my soul had left my body.
When Nicholas was about to take me to yet another ride, I quickly stopped him. "Wait! Let's ride the Ferris wheel instead. The sun's about to set. I want to enjoy the sunset—not experience any more heart-stopping moments."
Nicholas raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Still got worries on your mind?"
I shook my head vigorously.
What grudges? What resentment? They'd all been vented away during that wild release. Now I just felt completely relaxed.
Of course, that was assuming nothing else attacked my heart.
Nicholas didn't insist. He changed direction and led me to the Ferris wheel area.
Only after boarding the Ferris wheel, watching everything below gradually move away, did my heart slowly calm down.
"Nicholas, thank you."
My gaze was sincere. A sudden, intense urge to confide welled up inside me. "Maybe... would you like to hear my story?"
"It would be my honor."
Nicholas agreed without hesitation. I saw his face full of curiosity, his eyes hiding a hint of delight.
Nicholas seemed... happy that I was willing to open up to him?
The anxiety in my heart finally settled.
"When I was five, my parents took me out of town for business. On the way through the suburbs, we got into a car accident. It's been so long, I don't know all the details. The driver, Uncle Herman—Sabrina's father—got me out of the crash zone at the critical moment. He and my parents... they died together in the explosion and fire. I was the only survivor."
I spoke slowly, my gaze empty, staring at the scenery beyond the transparent barrier.
"What happened after?"
Nicholas asked. His tone was light, carrying complex emotions I didn't understand.
I didn't know if it was my imagination, but I seemed to hear nervousness and guilt in his voice.
I didn't dwell on it and continued my story.
"Sabrina's mother died young. She'd always lived with Uncle Herman. After the tragedy, Andrew decided to adopt her."
That's when the turning point in my life began.
Sabrina was young but already calculating. Under her schemes, I gradually lost my brothers' trust and affection. Even James, who'd once been fair...
I smiled bitterly. Despair gradually consumed my reason. The painful death from my past life wrapped around my neck again, devouring my will to survive.
"Catherine!"
Nicholas shouted suddenly. He grabbed my hand as I reached for the door.
The Ferris wheel had reached its highest point. Looking down, people looked like ants. A fall from here would mean certain death.
Nicholas was trembling. He pulled me back, his tone unprecedentedly stern. "Catherine, I don't care what you went through before, but from now on, you must live."
My eyes gradually cleared. Tears fell uncontrollably.
"Nicholas, I..."
"Catherine." Nicholas interrupted me. He took a deep breath, his tone softening. "Listen to me. It doesn't matter that the Rosewood family can't see through Sabrina's clumsy tricks. I can see through them. They betrayed your sincerity and brought you endless suffering, but none of that is reason to give up your life."
"You have to live. Live more brilliantly than Sabrina. You have to become stronger, be your own protector. Understand?"