Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Oh? Really?” Jarrod responded with a cold sneer, “Isn’t the future I envisioned also worthwhile?”
“You’re better off alone for life because you’re cold-hearted, emotionless, and selfish.”
Jarrod seemed unaffected by Nicole’s harsh words. He had always been that type of person, naturally detached from emotional entanglements since birth. And Nicole was like a kite that had slipped from his fingers. Someone Like him wouldn’t let anything he had marked stray from its intended path.
A lifetime with just one person, safe and healthy through the seasons.
Such a dream was laughable to him.
Both were lost in their own thoughts within the confines of the hospital ward.
Underneath Jarrod’s outward calm, a storm was raging within. He waited until he had enough sway before stating his demands.
It was clear that the elderly Dora, whose vitality was weakening, wasn’t sufficient for him to trap Nicole by his side.
Moreover, Dora’s health was more dangerous than Nicole’s, and she might not last more than a few years. He needed to secure something more enduring, something more firmly under his control.
Nicole knew clearly that if they became entangled once more, the outcome would likely not be good. She had some regrets. She should have married Roscoe earlier. Roscoe had done so much for her, and the least she could do was spare him further regrets.
Just then, Jarrod’s phone rang. After taking the call, his face turned serious.
He then came back into the ward and told Nicole, “Rest well. I’ll come see you later.”
Nicole remained silent, acting as if she hadn’t heard him.
Jarrod, not completely reassured, left her in the care of two nurses and warned, “Nicole, don’t try to run. You know you can’t escape. It’s better if you are obedient. We’ll settle our accounts slowly.”
He left a suffocating message before leaving. “I will make you agree willingly.”
Nicole stared blankly up at the ceiling.
When it was time to eat, the nurse came to feed her, and she obediently took her meal. She knew she couldn’t afford to weaken her condition further. Before she could see Roscoe again, she decided to conserve her strength.
Jarrod handpicked the nurse, a woman in her forties, who bore a resemblance to Dora in her features.
Therefore, Nicole had always treated the nurse courteously, seeing her as a mother figure.
“Miss Lawrence, you ate well today. Mr. Schultz will be glad to hear that,” the nurse remarked cheerfully as she tidied up the bowl.
“Do you really need to report back to him about my meals?” Nicole asked softly.
“Yes, he insists we report everything, no matter how unimportant.”
Nicole chuckled lightly. “Does he also need to know how many times I use the restroom each day?”
“Well… Mr. Schultz is just very concerned about you.” The nurse noticed Nicole’s bad mood and assumed she was upset. After all, nobody enjoyed feeling confined.
“Miss Lawrence, it’s clear Mr. Schultz really cares about you.” The nurse, eager to please, praised Jarrod. “When you were unconscious, Mr. Schultz was right there by your side, not stepping away even once.”
Nicole responded with a pathetic smile, “If I were to die, he would just lose his toy.”
This remark made the nurse’s heart sink. Nicole was stunning, her beauty undiminished even in illness. It was disheartening to hear her sound so defeated.
The nurse, who had only a son and no daughters, felt a maternal affection for Nicole and tried to offer some comfort. “Miss Lawrence, living together means making compromises. It’s not just about his flaws. Try to see his good sides.”
Nicole responded distrustfully, “His good sides?”
The nurse nodded affirmatively. “Yes, you should have seen how worried he was when you wouldn’t wake up. A man who truly doesn’t care wouldn’t have shown such concern. Some men appear tough on the outside but are soft at heart. If you focus more on the positive, life might become sweeter, and who knows, your health might even start to improve.”
“But he doesn’t have any good sides…” Nicole whispered, her voice tinged with sorrow. “I can’t find anything good about him. I wish he were dead.”
The nurse hesitated to continue the conversation, shocked by the sentiment. How had this seemingly perfect match come to wish death upon each other?
“If he were gone, things might be better…” Nicole muttered.
The nurse squeezed Nicole’s hand tighter and looked around. The other nurse who was supposed to relieve her was busy washing dishes, and the bodyguards outside seemed unaware.
She lowered her voice and advised, “Miss, please don’t talk like that. Being kinder can make life more bearable.”
This nurse had a compassionate heart. Jarrod had instructed both nurses to report every detail, no matter how minor. Yet, moved by Nicole’s pale complexion, this nurse felt a surge of empathy for Nicole. As long as her colleague was absent, she decided not to relay Nicole’s unfavorable remarks.
“Miss, if you’re feeling tired, you should rest. Do not utter those words, alright?” the nurse gently advised Nicole.
Perhaps it was the nurse’s kind behavior that reminded Nicole of her mother, she looked at the nurse with soft eyes and murmured an agreeable “okay.”
Just then, the other nurse entered the room. The compassionate nurse quickly withdrew her hand from Nicole’s and reverted to a professional detachment, attending to her duties.
Nicole lay back, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, counting the days and pondering when Jarrod would act next. What methods would he use this time… It seemed like there wasn’t much left binding her to him…
At the Hampton family residence. Vicki still carried a strong smell of blood. Her wrists had been treated by the family doctor.
She had recently attempted to slit her wrists.
Luckily, the attempt was discovered promptly, and there was no threat to her life.
It wasn’t deemed appropriate for her to go to the hospital, as such matters should remain out of the public eye.
Vicki’s wedding with Jarrod was getting closer. If the media caught wind of it, there would definitely be a lot of speculation. This would undoubtedly impact both families.
Wayne summoned Jarrod over to ask about what had transpired. He had tried to get information from Vicki, but she remained silent.
Jarrod paused before responding, “I’ll handle it.”
Wayne stopped him with a reminder. “Jarrod, do you still remember the promise you made to me?”
Observing Jarrod’s silence, Wayne spoke up.
“I was initially hesitant about Vicki marrying you because, frankly, you don’t love her. She insisted so persistently that I eventually had no choice but to give in. Jarrod, remember, the Hampton family has treated you well.
When no one else was willing to take a chance on you, we did. Vicki is the child of the woman I love the most, so I’ve always poured her with affection. Vicki resembles her mother in appearance and personality. Both prioritize emotions above all else, which is why I only asked for one promise from you back then.”
With a meaningful look, Wayne added, “You must not do anything wrong.”
Jarrod responded solemnly, “Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten.”
“That’s good to hear.” Wayne patted Jarrod on the shoulder, continuing, “A man in your position will inevitably meet many women in social circles. Vicki’s mother used to create quite a fuss about it, but she was easy to calm. Just make a little effort, and spoil her a bit. As long as you don’t bring any of them home, having a few favorites on the side is manageable.”
Wayne knew what he was talking about. He hadn’t been faithful to just one woman. Understanding the nature of men, he knew there would always be memorable ones. Effort was necessary, but the status of the legal wife must remain undisturbed.
Wayne remembered how Vicki’s mother would fuss, yet he never allowed her to overshadow his legal wife. The same rule applied here.
Additionally, Vicki was raised directly under Bess, Wayne’s legal wife. With Wayne’s traditional views, he believed that adhering to certain protocols solidified one’s legitimate place in the Hampton family.
Jarrod nodded and spoke firmly. “The wedding will go on as planned, but I need a commitment from you.”
Wayne stroked his beard and responded firmly, “Go ahead.”
“Don’t harm those around me.” Jarrod declared bluntly, “They are mine to manage, under any circumstances.”
Wayne was displeased but didn’t show it. After all, there was no reason to ruin the good relationship between the two families over this.
Plus, he had been caught up in love affairs before, so he knew the drill. While things might seem exciting during the infatuation phase, they lose their sparkle after a few years. He assumed it was no biggie.
“I promise you,” Wayne agreed quickly.
Jarrod then went to see Vicki.
Lying in bed, Vicki looked pale and weak. She was completely different from Nicole.
Vicki had been well taken care of since childhood, and though a bit spoiled, she still had a simple mind. As a result, her current fragile state was like a delicate flower, evoking a desire in men to protect her.
However, Jarrod was not swayed by such fragility. His experiences had rendered him indifferent to women who seemed delicate and in need of protection.
Jarrod was drawn to those who were fiery, vibrant, and as captivating as a desert rose, thorny and resilient, yet strikingly beautiful.
Nicole was the only one who matched this description. She was Like a desert rose, and only the experienced traveler would understand its significance.
“Feeling any better?” Jarrod asked as he sat beside the bed.
Vicki turned her head away, filled with grievance and anger, refusing to talk with him. She felt as though she had offered her passionate heart, yet had not been treated well in return.
What Vicki had forgotten was that she was the one who had initiated their arrangement where Jarrod had made it clear to her that he would not love her.
People often wanted more and were rarely satisfied.
Jarrod warned, “Don’t act so impulsively next time. You might not always have someone around to save you. Don’t place your life in someone else’s hands. It’s not worth it.”
It was surprising to hear such words from a man usually so heartless.
Jarrod’s look was stern, serving both as a warning and a piece of advice to Vicki. After saying that, he