Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Nicole’s face went pale. This question had to be Jarrod’s idea. He was confident Roscoe wouldn’t testify because Roscoe remembered nothing. How could he?
Nicole’s face looked miserable. From Roscoe’s perspective, she appeared completely helpless and pitiful.
Nicole wanted to glance up at the gallery several times but held herself back. Roscoe was no help. He remembered nothing.
The defense attorney added, “Furthermore, the drugs mentioned in the plaintiff’s report aren’t the ones my client uses. He’s fit and fine, proven by his latest medical check-up and the mental evaluation we got from the court.”
The defense attorney carefully read each word of the report, saying, “This report conclusively shows that my client has no mental disorders.”
Nicole’s face turned utterly pale. Jarrod had even anticipated her move, having applied for a court evaluation beforehand. This meant he knew she had accessed his psychiatric medications, intending to use them against him. All her meticulous preparations… Jarrod had anticipated them all!
Nicole felt like she was suffocating.
Rhett was confused. Wasn’t it confirmed that Jarrod had a mental illness? How come suddenly he did not?
The credibility of a judicial evaluation was high.
Moreover, the fact that the defendant had requested it in advance indicated the knowledge of their cards.
The defense attorney kept pressing, “Clearly, all of this is merely the plaintiff’s speculation. The plaintiff has a history of several years of medical consultations, which indicates that the plaintiff’s physical and psychological conditions are unstable.”
Jarrod’s lawyer brought Nicole’s recent medical records from international and local consultations.
By comparison, Nicole appeared to be the one with a mental disorder.
The proceedings moved swiftly. Clearly, Nicole was utterly defeated.
Even Jarrod, by simply stating his disagreement, had easily bested her.
“It’s not like that…” Nicole struggled to speak. “It’s not like that. That man is a monster, a lunatic! He forced me to have the child, and now he wants to drag me back to continue a shameful relationship. He is ill. Trust me, he really is!”
Nicole became increasingly distraught toward the end.
Rhett had to intervene.
The court valued evidence highly, and such emotional outbursts only made the judge perceive Nicole as a psychologically unstable one.
“Plaintiff, please remain calm and respect the decorum of the court,” the judge instructed.
Jarrod’s lawyer spoke again. “What the plaintiff says isn’t accurate. My client, Mr. Schultz, got engaged five months ago, and the wedding is in three months. They’re both emotionally steady and completely ready to raise a child.”
As the lawyer made his case, Nicole noticed that Vicki had entered the gallery at some point. She was smiling at Jarrod, the picture of a loving fianc?e.
Nicole was in total panic. Their argument was nearly impeccable. She felt she was on the verge of losing her sanity. If she lost Austin, and if Austin was raised by someone so cruel as Jarrod, she couldn’t even imagine what Austin might have to face. This monstrous Jarrod planned for another woman to raise Austin.
The final judgment came as no surprise. Austin’s custody was granted to Jarrod, his biological father, who was emotionally stable and financially capable. Nicole would need to obtain a hospital’s certification of her mental health before she could have visitation rights.
“Why?” Nicole was not reconciled. She frantically looked around, screaming, “That’s my child!” That was the baby she carried for ten months! How could it be under someone else’s control now, with her not even allowed to visit?
Nicole sank weakly to the floor. Nothing felt more agonizing than separating a child from their mother.
Jarrod had no qualms about thrusting Nicole back into the abyss once more.
Nicole felt as though a suffocating net had been cast over her head, trapping her in its grip no matter how vigorously she struggled.
Witnessing Nicole’s desolation, Rhett couldn’t help but offer comfort.
“Miss Lawrence, don’t despair. If you’re certain that Mr. Schultz has been taking his medication, then there must be some explanation. Stay hopeful. We still have a chance.”
The lawyer’s pragmatic words jolted Nicole back to reality. Jarrod had indeed taken the medication. So, what was truly unfolding here?
Rhett promptly reached out to an acquaintance at the courthouse to inquire about any irregularities with Jarrod’s testing organization.
He instructed Nicole to wait for him in the car.
Nicole walked absentmindedly toward the door and accidentally collided with someone. Feeling a sharp pain in her nose, she hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
“It’s alright.” The man’s voice startled Nicole.
As Nicole lifted her head, she saw that it was Roscoe whom she had bumped into, intensifying her distress. Fearing she couldn’t contain her tears, she lowered her head and murmured once more, “I’m sorry.”
Then, she turned around, wanting to leave.
“Miss Lawrence, please wait a moment.” Roscoe suddenly called after her.
Hearing his voice, Nicole halted. Roscoe gestured toward her hand and handed her a silk handkerchief. He spoke gently. “Please use this to tend to it, Miss Lawrence.”
Roscoe remained the epitome of kindness and gentleness. Nicole’s sorrow deepened. Shaking her head, she murmured, “No, thank you.”
As she moved to depart, Roscoe seized her and swiftly bandaged her wound.
The entire process took less than thirty seconds. He proved to be a skilled professional, proficient in each step.
Once her hand was wrapped, Nicole promptly withdrew it. She didn’t wish to cause any trouble for Roscoe. Now with the memory loss, he might face repercussions if others dealt with him because of her.
Roscoe’s brows furrowed at her withdrawal, prompting him to inquire, “Miss Lawrence, have we met before?”
His question caught Nicole off guard. Transient memory loss could occur, and Roscoe might retain fragments of memory about her. It could be considered positive that he felt a sense of familiarity with her.
“I…” Nicole was about to speak when Doreen, returning from the bathroom, hurried over.
“Roscoe, have you been waiting for me long?” While speaking, Doreen directed a glare at Nicole.
Doreen had become noticeably more guarded ever since her encounter with Nicole’s formidable lawyer. She refrained from speaking out of turn, fearing the lawyer’s potential return. Regarding the slap, she was determined not to forget or forgive. She vowed that Nicole would face severe consequences!
“Let’s go,” Doreen asserted, seizing Roscoe’s arm and leading him away.
Observing the backs of the departing figures, Nicole drifted into contemplation.
Nicole found herself uncertain whether Roscoe’s lack of recollection was a positive or negative occurrence.
Not far behind her, Jarrod emerged from the courthouse, accompanied by Vicki.
Observing Nicole’s gaze fixed on Roscoe, a surge of anger swept through Jarrod. Without uttering a word, he strode past Nicole.
Unperturbed by his presence, Nicole remained indifferent, but Vicki paused and politely greeted, “Miss Lawrence.”
Nicole looked at Vicki, albeit puzzled by her acknowledgment.
Nevertheless, she replied courteously, “Miss Hampton.”
With a graceful smile adorning her face, Vicki addressed Nicole, “Miss Lawrence, during your testimony in court, you mentioned that Jarrod had threatened you to return to him with the child. I believe there might have been a misunderstanding.”
Nicole remained silent as Vicki continued, “Jarrod and I have enjoyed a strong relationship since our engagement a few months ago, and our wedding date is already set. I have faith in Jarrod.”
Understanding Vicki’s intention to both flaunt her relationship with Jarrod and issue a warning, Nicole replied, “Miss Hampton, your belief in Mr. Schultz is your prerogative. There’s no need to involve me. I’ll stand by my convictions as long as you stand by yours.”
Unfazed by the rebuttal, Vicki maintained her smile and remarked, “I simply think Jarrod tends to be concise. Perhaps you’ve misunderstood his intentions. He would never betray me.”
Not inclined to engage further, Nicole replied perfunctorily, “That’s reassuring.”
Vicki appeared displeased and seemed about to say more when she noticed Nicole’s attorney approaching.
Quickly masking her discontent, Vicki said, “Rest assured, Miss Lawrence. I’ll take excellent care of your child.”
Nicole was taken aback by Vicki’s words. Instead of genuinely intending to care for Austin, Vicki used the guise of concern to issue a warning.
Nicole’s tone turned cold as she stated, “If you harm Austin, you’ll regret it.”
At that moment, Vicki felt triumphant, wearing a faint smile as she retorted, “Miss Lawrence, I’m not sure what you’re insinuating.”
Vicki proved to be far more astute than Doreen, who seemed oblivious to such tactics.
Vicki had lived a privileged life, shielded from much injustice, and bolstered by Wayne’s favoritism. Consequently, her reputation remained untarnished by negative gossip.
However, Vicki was not unprepared to handle adversity. On the contrary, her pristine image afforded her numerous opportunities and advantages, as was evident now.
Nicole trembled at the realization of Vicki’s implicit threat. Vicki had already threatened her with Austin’s safety even before starting to take care of Austin. Given Austin’s frailty and delicate condition, even minor accidents could pose significant risks to him. This vulnerability made it all too easy for Vicki to potentially harm him.
“Vicki!” Nicole’s warning was sharp and severe. “If you even think about harming my child, I swear I’ll make you pay!”
Vicki appeared taken aback, her hand flying to her mouth as she trembled. “Miss Lawrence, what’s gotten into you…”
“Don’t pretend!” Nicole’s expression turned icy, seeing through Vicki’s earlier smile.
Though Vicki covered her mouth, her eyes betrayed a smug satisfaction.
It was evident she was attempting to unsettle Nicole.
Gritting her teeth, Nicole advanced toward Vicki. “I’m dead serious, Vicki. I’ll kill you…