Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Clinging to Jarrod’s legs, Vicki pleaded, “Jarrod, this is my fault! Entirely my fault. I promise not to trouble Nicole again. Can’t you see I was just jealous? I was jealous that she held a place in your heart and that you harbored unique feelings for her. I admit my mistake. I can accept Nicole’s presence going forward, if you don’t leave me.”
Nicole stood stunned by Vicki’s declarations. It appeared that if Jarrod forgave Vicki, Vicki was ready to embrace a polygamous marriage.
But Nicole found that prospect utterly unappealing. Just considering it turned her stomach. How could a wealthy lady like Vicki conceive of such an arrangement? Couldn’t she live without Jarrod?
Nicole harbored no intent to tether herself to Jarrod indefinitely. The notion scarcely crossed her mind, a fear that it might never do so in perpetuity.
Jarrod’s displeasure manifested as he raised his foot, leaving Vicki to steady herself with her hands, visibly flustered. “I am now a married man, Miss Hampton. I implore you to mind your words henceforth.” His brows and gaze remained as frigid as ever.
Yet, Vicki sensed a glimmer of warmth in his eyes when he uttered the word “married.” It diverged from Jarrod’s usual demeanor when they interacted previously.
In Vicki’s presence, Jarrod was always aloof with a poker face. But at this moment, he seemed to be glowing with energy. The description fit him perfectly. It appeared he had worn a facade for years, only now revealing his genuine self. His happiness fueled by his marriage was evident.
This realization instilled fear in Vicki’s heart. She had never fathomed Jarrod possessed such an alternate persona.
Nicole lacked the vigor to witness Vicki’s tumultuous emotions. In her perception, Jarrod’s demeanor toward Vicki fell off. Could he harbor intentions to safeguard Vicki, the would-be assailant of Austin?
Nicole disregarded Jarrod’s motives since he had assured non-interference. She retrieved her phone and dialed the authorities. “Hello, Schultz Residence speaking. I wish to report a crime. Someone has plotted to poison my child. Yes, please hurry…”
Following the call, Nicole paid no heed to the commotion outside. Her priority was to assess Kamilah’s condition indoors. She hastily walked inside.
Jarrod’s displeasure was evident as he observed Nicole’s departure, witnessing her disregard for him. Subconsciously, his brows furrowed. She appeared not to be bothered by his presence with another woman alone. Her indifference spoke volumes.
With a gesture, Jarrod prepared to depart.
Vicki was caught off guard by Nicole’s swift action in contacting the police. The Hampton family’s standing had already suffered due to Lowe’s incident. If she were implicated in another scandal, the Hampton family’s reputation would be irreparably damaged, much to her father’s dismay.
Facing the prospect of police involvement was something Vicki couldn’t afford. Should such an event occur, her fate would be sealed. Revelations of Jarrod’s dumping her would leave her reputation in tatters, rendering her a pariah in Ardlens.
In a state of panic, Vicki dropped to her knees before Jarrod, beseeching him, “Jarrod, you cannot allow her to ruin me. The Hampton family cannot withstand a scandal.”
Jarrod’s countenance remained impassive.
“Please, Jarrod…” Vicki implored.
“Think of the countless occasions my father aided you. We’re allies, are we not? Our enterprises have joined forces in numerous endeavors. You cannot disregard all that, can you?”
Jarrod retorted icily, “I wouldn’t have created a spectacle if the individual responsible for harming my son hadn’t been punished.”
“I swear, Jarrod, it wasn’t me! You have to believe me!” Vicki’s voice trembled with urgency, still refusing to acknowledge her own wrongdoings. If she were found guilty of causing harm to Austin, it would effectively extinguish any hope of salvaging her relationship with Jarrod.
The depth of Jarrod’s love and concern for Austin was something Vicki understood all too well. She had witnessed firsthand the lengths to which Jarrod was willing to go for Austin’s well-being, even contemplating the possibility of undergoing ligation. Such devotion was anything but ordinary.
“Then let the police handle this and clear your name.” Jarrod lifted his foot, preparing to go in.
“As for the cooperation with the Hampton family, your father’s taken a piece of the action, accounting for 80% of the profits. I’ve already settled our debts with the Hamptons, delivering a hefty profit of a hundred billion. Won’t that be enough?” Jarrod remarked and then walked away without waiting for an answer.
Vicki tried to go after Jarrod, but her path was blocked by the stern security guard stationed at the door.
Yet, rather than permitting Vicki’s exit, the guard remained vigilant, ensuring she didn’t slip away, awaiting the imminent arrival of the police.
Seated helplessly on the ground, Vicki pondered the abrupt and drastic turn of events that had unfolded in just one fateful night. How could Nicole end up becoming Jarrod’s wife? That was her spot!
In frustration, Vicki dug her nails into the earth, shattering her meticulously manicured nails without registering the pain. Determined to reclaim what she assumed was rightfully hers, she harbored an unwavering resolve.
A surge of rage pulsed through Vicki, fueling her determination to make Nicole and Austin regret the day they were born.
With Austin’s guidance, Nicole swiftly located the humble abode where Kamilah was being held captive.
Stepping inside, Nicole found Kamilah lying in bed, her complexion pale and lifeless. Tears streamed down Nicole’s face as she knelt beside Kamilah’s bed, her silent sobs echoing in the room.
“Kamilah…” Austin, his voice trembling with fear, grabbed Nicole’s arm tightly as he pleaded, “Kamilah… Wake up…”
In the midst of their despair, Jarrod’s voice broke through the turmoil, offering a glimmer of hope. “She’s still breathing.”
Nicole looked up, her eyes meeting Jarrod’s with a mixture of relief and anguish. Despite its faintness, Kamilah’s breath remained.
Excitement and relief washed over Nicole as she embraced Austin. “Austin, I have called an ambulance. She will be fine,” she reassured with a hopeful smile.
Jarrod assessed the situation with a critical eye and said, “Waiting for an ambulance might cost us precious time. I’ll drive her to the hospital myself. Let’s bring the doctor along.”
Swiftly shedding his suit jacket and rolling up his sleeves, Jarrod moved to lift Kamilah with careful urgency.
Noticing Nicole on the sidelines, Jarrod quickly delegated a crucial task to her. “Nicole, grab Austin and check for any leftover soy milk. Rush it to the hospital so they can analyze its contents. It’s vital for accurate treatment and to prevent any misdiagnosis.”
His voice cut through the panic with clear, authoritative directives. His command of the situation was a stark contrast to the confusion that had initially clouded their actions.
Nicole, recognizing the sharpness of his thinking, nodded in agreement, spurred into action by his confidence. “I’ll find that drug and get it to the hospital immediately.”
“Okay.” As Jarrod prepared to leave with Kamilah, he offered one last piece of reassurance. “And don’t worry. Even if you can’t find the soy milk, the hospital will still manage to run tests. I’ll ensure we have the best doctor on this.”
Nicole was caught off guard by Jarrod’s comforting assurance. His words, unexpected yet soothing, bolstered her courage.
Jarrod could feel the weight of the personal tragedies that hung heavily on Nicole. Nicole had weathered the storm of her father’s death and her mother’s debilitating illness, and now faced another crisis that threatened to push her to her limits. She hadn’t collapsed under the strain, but it was a close thing. She was merely holding on by a thread.
Jarrod understood the significant role Kamilah played in Nicole’s life, not just as a caregiver for Austin but as a stabilizing presence in her own right. This made him even more determined to rectify the situation, feeling a deep sense of responsibility. His previous oversight regarding Vicki’s malicious intentions had endangered those he cared about, and he was painfully aware of his part in the unfolding drama.
After Jarrod hurried off to handle the emergency, Austin and Nicole scoured the house for any leftover drug.
They started in the kitchen, where the nanny often prepared her meals and remedies, but found nothing. The area was spotless, wiped clean of any clues.
Desperate for answers, Nicole considered questioning the nanny directly. However, upon finding the bodyguard at the door, she was informed that the nanny had managed to answer only a few questions before fainting.
As the police arrived to take the nanny for further questioning, the uncertainty surrounding the type of drug she had administered loomed large.
At that moment, Austin stepped forward and said, “Mommy, I took a picture of the drug packet. We should be able to identify the drug now.”
Nicole’s expression brightened with a blend of relief and pride. Filled with gratitude, she leaned in and planted a tender kiss on Austin’s cheek. “Austin, you’re incredibly clever! You’ve been such a big help!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with emotion.
Austin lowered his head, appearing a bit shy. He sensed a noticeable change in Nicole’s demeanor. She seemed warmer and more approachable than before. This version of her was much more likable to him.
Austin grasped Nicole’s hand firmly and mustered the courage to speak. “Mommy, are you mad at me for listening to that bad woman?”
Nicole gently caressed his small face and smiled reassuringly. “Austin, I would never think that. You’re incredibly smart to protect yourself. Mommy is so proud of you.”
Austin felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was afraid that his mother might resent him for his shortcomings.
Nicole inserted the storage card from Austin’s whistle into the computer and discovered that it had a sizable storage capacity. Austin had taken numerous pictures, each with a timestamp, providing concrete evidence that the nanny had drugged him.
However, proving Vicki’s involvement solely with these pictures would be challenging. Without audio in the images and Vicki not appearing alongside the nanny, it was difficult to establish her connection to the incident.
The most reliable method would be for the malicious nanny to confess that Vicki had instructed her. But convincing the nanny to turn against Vicki seemed daunting.
At present, Nicole’s priority was to rescue the nanny promptly. She pushed aside these thoughts for later consideration.
After locating the desired picture, she made a copy of the file and sent it over to Jarrod’s phone.
The response came almost instantly. “Understood.”
In the next moment, a notification chimed, signaling the arrival of a picture from Jarrod. It depicted Kamilah lying on an emergency bed. “She’s already admitted to the hospital,” read Jarrod’s message accompanying the image.
Nicole’s anxiety lessened upon seeing the picture. As long as Kamilah received medical attention, there remained hope for her recovery.
Considering Austin’s delicate health, Nicole decided against taking him to the hospital.
Despite Austin’s eagerness to accompany Nicole, he reluctantly agreed to stay at the villa.
Jarrod had taken swift action, arranging for enhanced security and a team of trustworthy servants to ensure Austin’s safety at the villa.
With these measures in place, Nicole felt reassured about leaving her son behind.
Before departing, Nicole imparted a solemn promise to Austin. “Be brave, Austin. Mommy will bring Kamilah back. I promise.”
“Okay. Mommy, I’ll wait for you,” Austin replied, his young voice imbued with surprising strength.
Nicole found solace in her son’s words, feeling a sense of reassurance that belied his tender age. It was as if Austin had matured in an instant.
As Nicole made her way to the door, she witnessed Vicki’s continued confrontation with the police officers, vehemently refusing to comply with their directives.
In a fit of rage, Vicki seized one officer’s collar and berated him, “What’s your badge number? You can’t just arrest anyone without a warrant. I’m going to report you!”
The police officer who arrived was young and had short hair, which made Nicole initially assume they were a man. However, when the officer spoke, her voice was soft and feminine. She introduced herself with humility, “Police number 3210921. We are here to enforce the law and need you to come to the station for questioning.”
Vicki scoffed. “What about the arrest protocol? Are we just supposed to take someone’s word as the truth?”
“If you cooperate with the investigation, won’t everything be resolved?” The young officer reached out to free herself from Vicki’s firm grip on her collar.
To the officer’s surprise, as soon as she made contact, Vicki began to yell, “Don’t touch me! Are you using this as an excuse to grope me?”
The officer was visibly frustrated. They had dealt with difficult individuals daily and weren’t in customer service. There was no need to be overly polite with an uncooperative suspect. She responded sharply, “Madam, please act responsibly. We all wear body cameras, and I am a woman too. You’ve been holding my collar, and I simply wanted to free your grip to escort you away.”