Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Finally, Jarrod glanced up at Doreen, his brow furrowed. “What did you just say?”
Jarrod’s words were a lifeline for Doreen. She understood that as long as Jarrod remained attentive to her, he wouldn’t abandon her. After all, Jarrod had few remaining family members in the world. She and her mother were some of his closest relatives. He had witnessed her grow up, forging a bond that couldn’t easily be broken.
“I’m not sure… I can’t say if it was the Hampton or Watts family. I don’t know. They blindfolded me, dragged me into an alley, and assaulted me… It happened so suddenly…” Doreen wept, appearing utterly distraught.
This explained her disheveled appearance, bearing unmistakable signs of abuse across her body.
Doreen had already been apprehended by security guards, awaiting the arrival of the police to transfer her into detention.
Her actions constituted a criminal offense, making it impossible to release her without consequences.
Jarrod furrowed his brow, uncertain of the truth behind Doreen’s words.
However, Nicole believed Doreen’s claims. Given Doreen’s distressed state and her willingness to vocalize such assertions in public, it seemed improbable that she was being deceitful. No woman would tarnish her own reputation by boldly declaring such a matter.
Yet, Nicole recognized this as merely an effort to evade accountability.
“Jarrod, I truly didn’t intend any harm. I was bewildered, overwhelmed with anger…”
Jarrod cast his eyes downward. Despite feeling some sympathy for Doreen’s plight, he stood his ground. “I’m not the one from whom you should seek leniency.”
Although Jarrod had shielded Nicole from harm, Doreen’s true target was Nicole herself. It was an act he couldn’t forgive on Nicole’s behalf. Moreover, he had finally reached an agreement with Nicole, fostering a brief period of peaceful coexistence.
He couldn’t allow this incident to disrupt their balance. Had it not been for his recent intervention, Nicole’s unborn child would have been…
With this thought, Jarrod’s countenance hardened. He had extended more than just kindness to Doreen and her mother, driven in part by family bonds. Yet, should they pose a threat to his child, he would not hesitate to act without leniency.
Doreen’s sense of injustice persisted, her tears flowing as she pleaded, “Jarrod, how could you do this? Can’t you simply speak a word and resolve it? If you disapprove, would she dare to harm me…”
Jarrod’s expression turned resolute. “I cannot dictate for Nicole. Should you seek reconciliation, do so sincerely. However, her subsequent actions are beyond my intervention.”
Jarrod had made himself clear. He refused to aid Doreen.
In her despair, Doreen felt as though her world had plunged into darkness. “It’s all because of you!!” she screamed, her eyes brimming with hatred as she pointed accusingly at Nicole.
“You’re the reason the Watts family, the Hampton family, are after me. My life is ruined because of you!”
Doreen harbored a desire to dismantle Nicole, yet Nicole found the situation amusing. “Miss Schultz, by what authority do you accuse me? I’ve never provoked you. Each instance of trouble originates from your actions.”
Doreen had been indulged since childhood, but did that justify her trampling on others? Did it warrant them enduring bullying and stifling their grievances?
Doreen wept hysterically, “If you hadn’t enticed Roscoe, would I have treated you this way? Why would I target you and not others?”
This inquiry grew even more absurd. Nicole discerned Doreen’s skills in manipulating the situation, attempting to prompt her to reflect on her culpability.
Had Nicole been susceptible to manipulation, she wouldn’t have endured to this day.
“Interesting,” Nicole chuckled. “If a dog bites me, should I ponder why it suddenly turned aggressive?”
Nicole continued, “Nah. I don’t converse in animal tongue, and I certainly won’t sympathize with a beast.”
“What absurdity are you uttering?” Doreen was incredulous that Nicole likened her to a dog. She had never faced such an insult throughout her entire existence!
“You dare insult me, you venomous woman! Jarrod, witness her audacity to curse me right before your eyes. Consider what she might scheme behind your back. Perhaps she even played a part in today’s misfortune!”
Nicole remained unfazed by such outrageous accusations. Having committed no wrongdoing, why should she succumb to panic?
Moreover, she knew very well that she, Doreen, Vicki, and Jamie were fundamentally disparate. While she upheld a moral compass, they were self-serving beings governed by their emotions.
“You’re overanalyzing. I would never descend to your level. If you possess evidence, present it—your expose, right here,” Nicole relished witnessing Doreen’s shifting countenance.
Nicole chuckled. Doreen deserved it. As a victim, why should she reflect on herself? If not for Jarrod’s timely intervention, that bottle of sulfuric acid could have scarred her.
Even if it hadn’t, the acid’s splatter would have inflicted grave harm. She remained pregnant—if harmed, the unborn child could have been lost.
Doreen’s actions bordered on attempted murder. Thus, regardless of Doreen’s previous suffering, Nicole harbored no sympathy. Because she had been mistreated by others, Doreen sought retribution against her. If retaliation were justified, Nicole would be the rightful executor.
“Jarrod, is this the woman you cherish? Would you forsake me for her? She lacks fundamental empathy! How can you entrust such a malevolent person with Austin’s well-being?”
Doreen endeavored to create a division between Nicole and the child.
“Why should I extend my compassion to you?” Nicole found it amusing and replied bluntly.
“The current ordeal is a consequence of your actions alone. My lack of applause is indicative of my upbringing. Nevertheless, rest assured, it doesn’t hinder my silent respect for our country’s justice system!”
Doreen’s face paled with anger, rendered speechless and unable to retort a single word.
In that instant, the wail of police sirens permeated the surroundings. An officer strode in, inquiring, “Who called the police here?”
Nicole didn’t hesitate, promptly raising her hand, “It was me!”
“Ma’am, what transpired?” the officer inquired, drawing nearer.
Nicole gestured toward Doreen and remarked, “She attempted to throw sulfuric acid on me!”
Upon spotting the police, Doreen’s legs buckled beneath her. Earlier, in a blind rage after being assaulted, she had impulsively arranged for someone to fetch her a bottle of sulfuric acid in a bid to disfigure Nicole.
Now, confronted by the law, panic seized Doreen. She blurted out, “I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me!”
Tears began to stream down Doreen’s face as she assumed the role of a victim.
“Officer, I’m a victim too. I was raped, and the attacker claimed someone was orchestrating it. I know who it is, Officer! I can tell you!”
The officer, unmoved by Doreen’s theatrics, responded with a stern frown. “Miss, please clarify what you’re saying.”
“It was her! She orchestrated it all. That’s why I was so enraged and resorted to sulfuric acid!” Doreen exclaimed desperately.
Doreen was indeed resourceful. Finding that turning to Jarrod for help was futile, she swiftly shifted her strategy.
By painting Nicole as the puppeteer behind her assault, she hoped to cast her own heinous act as a crime of desperation—an instinctive defense that might mitigate her punishment. Yet, the outcome was uncertain.
Just then, the wail of sirens filled the air as an ambulance pulled up. Paramedics rushed out, quickly maneuvering Jarrod onto a stretcher.
Jarrod’s back bore the brutal evidence of the acid attack—burns and blistered skin peeked out from under the tattered remains of his shirt.
Prostrate and in pain, Jarrod was helpless as the paramedics prepared to transport him to the hospital.
As the paramedics worked urgently, Doreen fixated only on her looming fate. She dashed to Jarrod’s stretcher, seizing his arm and pleading through tears, “Jarrod, you can’t let them arrest me. Help me, please…”
Her grip tightened, fingers digging into Jarrod’s already grievous wounds, heedless of the agony she inflicted.
Jarrod’s face drained of color, his pain so intense that he couldn’t utter a word. Sweat beaded on his forehead profusely. In the next instant, his strength gave out.
Jarrod had been struggling to stay conscious, driven by a fierce desire to protect Nicole despite feeling increasingly unwell.
However, the arrival of the police and paramedics had allowed him a moment of respite, which was shattered by Doreen’s painful touch. Overwhelmed by the agony, he succumbed to unconsciousness.
Reacting swiftly, a paramedic pulled Doreen back harshly, reprimanding her as they secured Jarrod on the stretcher.
“Are you insane? Look at him! He’s passed out. Are you trying to kill him?”
Doreen, catching sight of her hands smeared with Jarrod’s blood, was struck by a wave of fear and fainted.
Her reaction was not an attempt to shirk responsibility but an instinctive response to the horrific scene.
Both Doreen and Jarrod were quickly transported to the hospital for urgent care.
Nicole, closely involved in the incident, rode to the hospital in a police car to provide her statement to the authorities.
Exhausted by the ordeal, Nicole awaited Conor, Jarrod’s assistant, who arrived shortly after. Despite the tumultuous events, Nicole maintained a calm demeanor.
The doctor reassured Nicole that Jarrod was stable and not in immediate danger, prompting Nicole to tell Conor, “I should head back now.”
Conor was taken aback, surprised that under such dire circumstances, Nicole chose not to stay by Jarrod’s side. He knew that when Jarrod regained consciousness, Nicole would likely be the first person he’d hope to see.
With a thoughtful glance, Conor queried, “Miss Lawrence, are you feeling alright? Do you need a doctor to examine you?”
Nicole responded with a weary shake of her head, “No need. I just need some rest.”
Conor, however, pressed further, his concern evident.
“Miss Lawrence, remember, you’re pregnant, and it’s crucial to take extra precautions. The hospital has a VIP lounge that’s quite comfortable. I’ll arrange for you to rest there. Please keep an eye on Mr. Schultz for me. I will be right back after making the arrangement.”
Before Nicole could object, Conor was already on his way to organize the accommodations.
With Conor gone, Nicole felt an obligation to remain. If any complications arose, she realized that the doctors would need a point of contact. Thus, she settled onto the sofa in the lounge, awaiting news.
Meanwhile, Jarrod, who had just undergone a minor procedure under light anesthesia, was beginning to come around.
As the fog of sedation lifted, Jarrod’s eyes fluttered open, and abruptly recalling the events, he exclaimed, “Nicole!”