Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Reading the nuances in his face, Nicole felt a wave of empathy. “So none worked out?” she inquired gently. “I really think you should look for someone. Better not remain single like me.”
Love had once left Nicole so scared that she had shut its door permanently.
Roscoe’s gaze held a complex blend of yearning and caution. “Can’t you see how much you mean to me?” He’d never been so drawn to others all the while.
“I’m aware, and that’s exactly why I’m telling you this,” Nicole said, her posture firm. She knew some matters demanded confrontation for clarity.
She addressed him with a note of solemnity, “Roscoe.”
Roscoe felt a twinge of worry at her serious tone. “There’s no hurry,” he replied quickly. Nicole pressed on, t’s not about haste. You should know I’m not planning to get married.”
A shadow of sadness passed through Roscoe’s voice. “Understood.”
Nicole continued firmly, “So please, don’t linger around for me. Find someone who can give you joy. That’s the only way I’d find ease. Understand?”
Distress etched on Roscoe’s features. “Nicole, I’m not going to find anyone else. I mean it. Let’s just live like this for the rest of our lives.”
Nicole’s concern was masked by frustration. “So you’d prefer I can’t find ease?”
“I won’t force you, and you can’t force me,” Roscoe stated flatly.
Nicole sighed, weighed down by the moment. “Roscoe, you’re dear to me, like family. I wish for your happiness.”
Looking her in the eye, Roscoe’s voice was even. “You’re not just family to me. And I’ll respect your choices.”
Nicole’s words felt futile. Roscoe was set in his ways, and no argument swayed him.
“Let’s just drop it,” Nicole conceded, feeling defeated. With Jarrod’s situation still up in the air, it was too soon for such talks.
Later, as Roscoe stopped the car at Nicole’s place, he called out as she exited, “Nicole, hold on.”
Turning back, Nicole faced him.
“Your heart’s moved past Jarrod, hasn’t it?” Roscoe inquired.
At the topic of the feelings for Jarrod, Nicole felt a surge in her stomach. It seemed even her body was embarrassed by her past affection for him. And it made her feel sick!
Roscoe noticed Nicole’s pallid expression and tightened his hold on the steering wheel slightly, saying, “Forget it. It’s not important anymore.”
Roscoe assumed whether Nicole still had feelings for Jarrod was not that important. After all, true love involved acceptance and tolerance. Would he give up his unrequited love for Nicole just because she did not return his feelings? Not gonna happen. Thus, he was not overly concerned about this question.
Roscoe cleared his throat and suggested, “Just get inside. It’s windy out here.”
After making this suggestion, Roscoe started the engine, and amidst its whirring, he suddenly heard Nicole say. “I don’t love him anymore.”
Aside from the engine’s hum, the surroundings were silent.
The night breeze softly brushed Nicole’s face, casting soft, flickering lights upon her, which made her eyes appear particularly captivating. Despite the turmoil in her heart, her outward beauty showed she was still quite young and lovely.
Roscoe’s lips lifted upward slightly as he said, “I hope everything goes well with Jarrod’s trial.”
After a few seconds, Nicole said, “Roscoe, I will never love again in my life.”
Her voice was gentle yet distinctly audible. A profound sadness permeated her soft voice.
Nicole had once been a girl who eagerly sought love, but after suffering such degradation and pain, she had Lost the courage to love and be loved. Sometimes, she even questioned whether she deserved this fate. She and Jarrod were like two wounded souls, constantly vying to inflict more pain on each other.
Jarrod had no intention of releasing Nicole, just as she had no plans to let Jarrod go. Their story was bound to end tragically.
“It doesn’t matter,” Roscoe said gently, looking at her. “Nicole, even if you can’t love anyone anymore, it doesn’t matter.”
Roscoe understood her meaning. She was saying that she could no longer love anyone, him included.
“I will always be with you,” Roscoe stated solemnly.
“You’re too naive.” Nicole found it difficult to convince Roscoe any further, as she had exhausted all approaches, and he remained as stubborn as ever.
Nicole had resolved that once the issue with Jarrod was settled, she would move with Austin to a secluded place to turn a new page and live a life away from the public eye. Once Austin had safely grown up, her mission would be fulfilled. Her obligations to this world would be concluded.
Roscoe said to Nicole gently, “Just go inside. It’s quite cold tonight. Don’t catch a cold.”
Nicole nodded and entered the building.
It wasn’t until Roscoe watched for a moment after the Light of Nicole’s apartment turned on that he slowly rolled up the car window and drove off.
The day of Jarrod’s trial finally came.
Nicole attended the hearing, dressed elegantly in a red dress complemented by a black hat.
The doors closed without Roscoe appearing, and Nicole, feeling somewhat bewildered and uneasy, sent Roscoe a message. “Are you busy?”
Roscoe had promised the previous night to accompany her to the trial, and he would have informed her if something urgent had arisen. He wouldn’t simply vanish without an explanation.
After waiting a few minutes without a response, Nicole thought about calling Roscoe to see what was happening.
But just as Nicole was about to unlock her phone, a side door opened.
Jarrod was led out from within. He was dressed neatly, his demeanor composed. His handsome face betrayed no signs of distress.
If not for the stubble around Jarrod’s chin, no one would guess he had been confined for nearly two weeks.
As soon as Jarrod sat down, his gaze found Nicole in the back row, and a knowing smile spread across his lips.
Nicole’s body instinctively reacted with a shiver, and goosebumps appeared on her skin.
“Miss, are you alright?” Noticing Nicole shiver and turn pale, the woman sitting next to Nicole couldn’t resist expressing her concern.
Nicole managed a weak smile. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
The woman, exuding warmth and familiarity, inquired, “Miss, are you a friend of Mr. Schultz?”
Nicole shook her head, “No.”
“Oh, so you’re like me?” the woman asked.
Nicole looked over, puzzled by what the woman meant.
The woman found Nicole attractive, though her pale face gave her a somewhat sorrowful appearance. This evoked sympathy from the woman.
“Like someone Mr. Schultz has helped,” the woman clarified.
At this, Nicole’s smile stiffened, making her face suddenly seem forced.
Unaware, the woman continued, “I run a noodle stall outside the Vijaya Temple. Two years ago, I had an accident and broke my leg. Mr. Schultz learned about that and got me a prosthetic limb. He has taken care of my business ever since. He visits the cemetery beside the temple four times a year and always brings me gifts.”
Nicole’s complexion became even whiter. “Vijaya Temple you said?”
The graves of Nicole’s parents were in the cemetery beside Vijaya Temple.
“Yes, I was widowed young and never had children due to health issues.” The woman joined her hands in a prayer pose and added, “Later, the elders at Vijaya Temple welcomed me, and I’ve been selling noodles at the temple gate to tourists.”
The more Nicole observed the woman, the more familiar the woman appeared.
She realized the woman was exactly the noodle vendor from the entrance of Vijaya Temple.
The woman continued, “I noted Mr. Schultz has come to pay respect four times annually without fail. I heard those gravestones belonged to his girlfriend and her family. Later, rumors surfaced that his girlfriend was actually alive, leading to her gravestone being removed, but he still continues to pay respect to her family.”
Nicole’s head began to throb. She bit her lip, wishing the woman could stop speaking.
However, the woman, looking at Jarrod with admiration, smiled and said, “You probably have no idea how much good Mr. Schultz has done. Back then, Vijaya Temple lacked funds to operate normally. The situation worsened with those senior monks’ illness, facing the looming fate of the temple leaving deserted. It was Mr. Schultz who paid for their medical care. I heard he also supported many schools and orphanages. Those he helped, knowing he visited the cemetery beside Vijaya Temple often, visited the temple and made it popular since then.”
The woman gestured toward a group of people, explaining to Nicole, “See, all these individuals have been aided by Mr. Schultz. Mr. Schultz is accused of economic crimes, but none of them believes it. Mr. Schultz uses his wealth for charity. How could he be doing anything wrong…”
Nicole’s body started to shake, and she stuttered, “Please… Stop talking.”
The woman noticed Nicole’s distress and worriedly inquired, “Miss, what’s wrong? Do you need me to call an ambulance?”
“It’s nothing… I just need to step outside for a moment,” Nicole replied.
Nicole looked around and observed that everyone in the courtroom was looking at Jarrod with appreciation.
A chilling sensation washed over Nicole instantly. The man she viewed as a great villain was perceived by others as a benevolent figure, which was utterly absurd and laughable!
As Nicole rose to leave, she stumbled, causing a disturbance.
Jarrod’s attention turned toward her, and she instinctively clenched her fists. A buzzing noise filled her ears, drowning out the judge’s words.
Nicole hurried out of the courtroom, reached the hallway, and leaned against a pillar, gradually sliding down to the floor. Her heart hammered wildly as if it were trying to escape her chest. It felt as if her entire world had been flipped on its head.
To others, Jarrod was a hero, but to her, this notion was Laughable!