Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Nicole wished she could just ignore him. He was definitely losing it.
Jarrod made his way back to the driver’s seat and calmly started the engine.
Jarrod was visibly relaxed. He assumed Nicole’s failed attempt to bring him down wasn’t a completely bad thing. The suffering he had endured in the prison, coupled with the injuries Nicole had caused him, seemed to lessen his sense of guilt toward her. He had already retaliated, and now he felt they were ready to move on and start anew.
The car finally pulled up to Nicole’s apartment, and Jarrod insisted on walking her to her door.
Nicole looked at him cautiously, worried that he might still have intentions to get laid with her, and said softly, “You can come to the doorstep but not inside.”
Jarrod chuckled at her unexpectedly shy gesture and replied with a cough, “I’ve been up for several nights. I’m too tired for anything else.”
“Who would believe that!” Nicole retorted as she stepped into the elevator. Jarrod’s desire was too apparent moments ago.
Jarrod stopped in his tracks and then followed her, his grin growing wider. Since Nicole’s return, he hadn’t laughed this much, yet his mistrustful side remained. He questioned, “Nicole, are you up to something?”
Nicole averted her gaze, her face a mask of sarcasm, and responded, “You already suspect me. Even if I say no, would you believe it?”
Jarrod didn’t reply but posed another question. “Can I trust you?”
The silence stretched between them, and Jarrod’s dark eyes deepened as he repeated, “Can I trust you, Nicole?”
“Jarrod, the biggest mistake of my life was meeting you. Now that my parents are gone and my reputation ruined, do you really think I can say I don’t hate you?”
Jarrod watched Nicole silently, not surprised by her answer.
Nicole gave a bitter smile. “I’m limited in what I can do since I can’t stand against you. I don’t even know how long I have left to live. I can’t fight anymore, and I give up. From now on, you can do whatever you want with me. Is that okay?”
Her voice was hollow and weak, and her pale face made her seem even more exhausted, as if even her breath was strained.
In an instant, Jarrod’s doubts disappeared.
Nicole’s voice was low as she added faintly, “I’ve said my piece. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
Nicole stepped out, but suddenly, her arm was yanked back. The next moment, Jarrod pressed her against the wall of the elevator.
Nicole instinctively closed her eyes, bracing for pain that didn’t come. Jarrod had placed his hand on the wall, softening the impact to her head.
Jarrod lowered his gaze to meet hers, whispering, “Nicole, I often don’t intend to hurt you. But whenever you look at another man, I want to gouge out that man’s eyeballs! I’ve come to realize that this obsession and possessiveness only occurred when I was with you. Maybe I never truly hated you. All this time, I just wanted you by my side.”
Nicole looked at him, her lips curling into a mocking smile. She wanted to say something, but he pressed his fingers against her lips.
“I know nothing I say now can undo the damage I’ve caused to your soul. But if you truly want to stay, I promise I’ll try to change.”
Jarrod raised his hand to cradle the back of her head, pressing her head against his chest and holding her close. In a low, raspy voice, he said, “Nicole, let’s spend our lives just like this, forever.”
Even if hatred was all that remained in her heart for him, he couldn’t bear to let her go.
Nicole let him hold her without resistance, perhaps too weary to protest. Her eyes, cast downward, were unexpectedly serene. She concealed her hatred, burying it deep and far away.
For the first time upon their parting, Jarrod had felt something different stir within him. Blocking the doorway with an outstretched leg, he smiled at Nicole and teased, “Not letting me in?”
Nicole looked stern as she replied, “You just gave your word.”
Jarrod simply stepped in to hold her face gently and kissed her fervently.
Just as Nicole’s anger was about to boil over, he let go with a chuckle. “I know.”
Jarrod then stepped back, leaning casually against the doorframe with a hand in his pocket, the picture of relaxed elegance. “I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow night.”
Nicole’s answer was the emphatic sound of the door slamming shut.
Gazing at the shut door for a few seconds, Jarrod burst out laughing and walked away.
Unbeknownst to him, Nicole had been intently watching through the peephole. She only diverted her gaze when she saw Jarrod step into the elevator and descend. Quickly, she moved to the window to make sure his car was leaving.
Once the black Maybach exited the community gate, Nicole swiftly opened a cupboard, punched in the safe’s password, and retrieved an obsolete phone. She dialed a number. “I’ve got a 6 a.m. flight lined up. Start packing now. A car will be here soon to pick up you and Austin. Another one will be waiting when you land. We’ll regroup once we get there.”
After ending the call, Nicole took out the SIM card, burned it with a lighter, snapped it in half, and flushed the pieces down the toilet. She then shattered the phone casing with a knife handle and stuffed it into a garbage bag to dispose of later.
Next, Nicole grabbed the suitcase she had packed earlier, changed into black nightwear, took the trash bag, and left her apartment.
With caution guiding her, Nicole avoided the underground garage.
Instead, she headed to the community’s temporary parking area and Slipped into an inconspicuous Volkswagen.
She opted to exit through the back door, but as she neared the gate, she noticed the security guards were not the usual ones. Their demeanor was too professional for the typically slack security staff.
The guards stood up sharply at Nicole’s car.
Feeling a tremor in her hand, Nicole managed to keep the car steady.
Instead of driving straight out, she feigned confusion like a visitor searching for a parking spot.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw one of the guards headed straight toward her car.
Nicole sped up, abruptly stopping the car at the next corner, and jumped out without even grabbing her Luggage.
Footsteps sounded closer and closer.
A chill ran down Nicole’s spine. She should have known that Jarrod wouldn’t trust her. Her recent confessions were a sham, designed to lower Jarrod’s guard and test whether he trusted her.
The thought of being caught again filled Nicole with dread. She hadn’t fully recovered from previous injuries. What new torments could Jarrod devise? Plus, Jarrod might locate Austin soon. With his suspicious nature, Jarrod would intensify the search for Austin.
Fear gripped Nicole like never before. With no chance to flee, she attempted to hide in the bushes. However, before she could conceal herself, a man grabbed her waist and yanked her back. She collided with a firm chest.
Nicole’s heart raced, her whole body shaking as she prepared to defend herself.
Suddenly, the man covered her mouth, and a familiar voice whispered, “It’s me.”
Frozen, Nicole was swiftly pulled into the underbrush in the opposite direction.
They hit the ground, the man propping himself on his elbow above Nicole. Nicole looked up into his clear, piercing eyes.
Her eyes wide, Nicole was about to say something when the man pressed his hand against her Lips to silence her.
Just then, they overheard the walkie-talkie crackle. “Number one, any situation over there?”
The bodyguard with the code name number one peered into the bushes.
Nicole had considered for hiding and responded, “No situation. Likely just a neighbor heading home.”
As the footsteps receded, the tension in the air eased.
Nicole, her eyes brimming with shock, managed to stammer, “Roscoe, how did you…”
Without a word, Roscoe picked up a cane to support himself before reaching out to help Nicole get up.
That was when Nicole noticed the severe injury on Roscoe’s right wrist, which clearly hadn’t healed yet.
After getting up, Nicole was led to approach an MVP car nearby.
Walking beside Roscoe, Nicole saw that not only was his right wrist injured, but he also limped on his left leg, making each step a struggle for him.
A twinge of sympathy struck Nicole, and she asked, “Roscoe, where are we going?”
“Just get in the car,” Roscoe replied.
After getting in the car, Roscoe lowered his head and reached out.
“Hand me the keys.”
“Keys?”
“Yes, hand them over.”
Confused, Nicole gave Roscoe her car keys. She watched as Roscoe retrieved her luggage and returned to the MVP car.
Then, Roscoe shut the car door and joined her in the back seat, asking, “Were you planning to fly? You can’t. I had a buddy create a fake flight record for you. I also canceled Austin’s flight and arranged a ride to the place you mentioned.”
He glanced at his watch and added, “They should be on their way now.”
Nicole blinked and slowly grasped his intention to help her. “Roscoe, this is madness! Don’t get involved in this anymore. Hurry, get away before we’re seen…”
While Nicole spoke, she tried to open the car door, but it was Locked.
Roscoe held her wrist firmly, insisting, “We’re leaving together.”
Tears filled her eyes as Nicole looked at the lingering scar on Roscoe’s face. “Are you crazy.?”