Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Nicole eyed Vicki warily, her voice flat. “I’m okay. But what brings you here, Miss Hampton?”
“I dropped by to see you,” Vicki said, her smile faltering just a bit.
Nicole sighed, her patience thinning. “We’re hardly friends. If you’ve got something to say, just get to the point.”
Vicki’s tone shifted, a note of sincerity creeping in. “Why are you always so cold to me? What have I actually done to you?”
Nicole nearly chuckled at Vicki’s act. She remembered everything from their last encounter outside the courthouse, especially Vicki’s manipulative threat involving her son, Austin. That was a line she could never forgive.
Nicole’s instincts as a mother were fierce. If anyone threatened her son, she’d fight tooth and nail to protect him.
“Vicki, you know exactly what this is about,” Nicole stated plainly.
“Honestly, Nicole, I don’t. Help me understand,” Vicki replied, keeping up her charade.
Tired and wanting to end the conversation, Nicole closed her eyes.
“Vicki, you’ve said your hello. If there’s nothing else, I think it’s best you leave now. We’re done here.”
Vicki’s expression darkened briefly before she looked at Nicole again.
Despite the pallor of illness, Nicole’s presence was still striking, her vulnerability only adding layers to her already compelling allure.
It was clear why men found her irresistible, and even the stoic Jarrod couldn’t help but be drawn to her.
Vicki clenched her jaw and snapped, “You’re just letting me walk away, Miss Lawrence? I thought you’d want an update about your son.”
Nicole’s eyes snapped open, and she bolted upright. “What about Austin?”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to be left alone?” Vicki retorted, standing up and feigning a departure. “I won’t bother you anymore. It seems you’re not that concerned about your son.”
“Stop!” Nicole’s voice cracked as she reached out, grabbing Vicki’s wrist to stop her. “Explain yourself. What’s going on with Austin?”
Vicki grimaced, surprised by Nicole’s strength. “You’re hurting me,” she complained.
Nicole released her grip immediately and persisted, “Tell me. What’s happened to Austin?”
Rubbing her wrist, Vicki muttered, “He’s just got a minor fever, nothing serious.”
“What?” Nicole’s voice rose in alarm. “A fever? Austin’s health is fragile. Are you telling me he’s not being taken care of?”
Nicole’s anger simmered beneath the surface. Jarrod had taken Austin away from her care, and this was the care Austin was receiving?
Every bout of illness for Austin was perilous.
“This man’s negligence is appalling. He can’t even look after his own son properly!” Nicole fumed internally.
“Why are you blaming me? His getting sick is your fault!” Vicki shot back, her tone accusatory.
“Excuse me?” Nicole was confused by Vicki’s words.
Vicki’s voice held a hint of accusation. “If Jarrod hadn’t been here with you, neglecting Austin, Austin wouldn’t be sick right now.”
Nicole fell silent, realizing the implications. It seemed Vicki had engineered this situation.
Vicki’s mask slipped further, her voice cold as she continued, “I hear Austin has a serious heart condition. Even a mild cold could be dangerous for him…”
“Nonsense!” Nicole snapped, anger flaring within her. Though Austin was delicate, the nanny usually kept him well.
Yet, under Jarrod’s watch and Vicki’s care, Austin had fallen ill.
How could Jarrod entrust his son to a woman so clearly infatuated with him? Was he out of his mind?
The thought of Vicki harming Austin wasn’t far-fetched in Nicole’s overwhelmed mind.
These troubling thoughts swirled in Nicole’s head, her anxiety mounting. She struggled to regain her composure and demanded, “Vicki, just tell me what you want.”
Emboldened, Vicki veiled her smirk with her hand, her voice soft but cutting. “I heard you were quite the hostess, helping Jarrod entertain his guests by drinking with them. You were quite good at it, weren’t you?”
Nicole, bewildered by the change in topic, shook her head in denial.
“No, that wasn’t me.”
“Humph, that’s a pity. Since you’re not willing to talk, I suppose I’ll leave then,” Vicki announced, her tone dismissive as she prepared to exit.
Nicole quickly reached out and grasped Vicki’s arm, her voice urgent.
“Wait, don’t leave. Just give me a moment to think…”
Nicole reflected on the past and suddenly it clicked. There had been one instance. Jarrod had behaved oddly that day, insisting she dress provocatively and accompany him to the Kingbel Club to mingle with high-profile guests. It was a singular, demeaning experience, meant only to belittle her. The memory of that night still stung.
Nicole admitted reluctantly, “Yes, there was that one time at Kingbel Club, but it was just that once, and I wasn’t really mingling with the guests.”
Vicki’s displeasure was evident upon hearing this. It seemed Jarrod harbored special feelings for Nicole, tolerating a family feud to keep Nicole close. Vicki deduced that Jarrod’s decision to have Nicole at the event was driven by anger.
Jealousy curdled in Vicki’s heart. Dropping all pretense, she said sharply, “Since you’ve done it before, that’s perfect. My uncle owns Kingbel Club, and they’re short-staffed. I could get you a job there.”
Nicole was shocked, her mind reeling. “What are you suggesting?”
“I mean for you to work as a hostess. You’ll entertain guests and have conversations. It’s straightforward, and it pays,” Vicki clarified.
The term “hostess” in that context was a polite way of saying prostitute. While it stopped short of sleeping with clients, all other interactions were expected, and for the right price, even more could be negotiated.
Nicole turned pale. “I can’t handle alcohol, and I won’t work in such a place.”
Vicki Laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “You don’t think I’m begging you to accept the job, do you?”
Nicole knew better. Vicki’s true aim was to degrade her. Yet, how could she agree to such a demand? She responded firmly, “Miss Hampton, I can’t accept that. If you have other terms, we can discuss them.”
“And if I don’t?” Vicki’s tone turned cold.
“If you want Austin to stay healthy, you’d better take the job today. Otherwise, I can’t assure his well-being…” Vicki threatened openly.
Fury surged through Nicole, her fists clenching as she trembled.
“Miss Hampton, remember who Austin is. He is Jarrod’s son.”
Nicole questioned Vicki, “Do you really think Jarrod will tolerate your actions?”
Regardless, Jarrod was Austin’s father. Nicole couldn’t believe he would be so cruel as to disregard the life of his own son. To ignore the well-being of his child seemed unimaginable. Even if Jarrod was using Austin merely as a bargaining chip to intimidate her, he ought to realize that any harm to Austin would drive her to fight him relentlessly.
“Ha-ha. Hearing her words, Vicki’s laughter grew louder and more dramatic. “Miss Lawrence, you’re quite naive. Your son is frail. A mere fever or the wrong meal could end his life. Would I really need to intervene physically?”
Vicki intended to crush Nicole’s naivety with her words. Smiling, she added, “Do you honestly believe Jarrod would confront me over something so trivial?”
Vicki’s implications were crystal clear. She had numerous ways to hurt Austin. Even if Jarrod didn’t entrust Austin to her directly, having Austin near Jarrod was opportunity enough for her.
She was correct. Austin’s health was fragile and couldn’t endure any stress. Minimal interference could prove fatal.
Confronted with the potential threats to Austin, Nicole’s complexion turned ashen.
“I heard your son is on the transplant waiting list. It would be a pity if he couldn’t make it until then, wouldn’t it?”
Vicki sighed and continued, “He’s just a kid. He hasn’t even had the chance to see the world yet. Would it not be tragic if he died just Like that?”
“How dare you!” Nicole clenched her fist tighter, her voice thick with anger. “If anything happens to Austin, I’ll fucking kill you both.”
Nicole mentioned “you both” because she thought Jarrod had entrusted Austin to Vicki, showing his negligence as a father. He was no better than a beast. If anything were to happen to Austin, she would go to any lengths to make them pay, to avenge her son.
“With your current state, how do you suppose you could do anything to me?” Vicki scoffed.
“In my eyes, you’re just an ant. And as for that son of yours, if I’m feeling irritable, just a flick of my fingers could end his life.”
Vicki leaned close to Nicole’s ear and whispered these harsh words, like a sharp needle driving straight into Nicole’s brain, the pain sharp.
“You, you lunatic!” Nicole’s entire body shook with fury. Vicki’s true nature was now completely exposed. Vicki seemed gracious on the surface, yet harbored such dark intentions.
Vicki was unfazed by Nicole calling her crazy. In fact, embracing madness seemed even more liberating.
Tucking a stray hair behind her ear nonchalantly, she suggested, “Perhaps you should just accept the job I’ve arranged for you. It’ll keep you too busy to seduce Jarrod, which really would be best for everyone, wouldn’t it?” Her voice stayed soft and gentle, belying the venom underneath.
“I…” Nicole struggled to voice her objection, her words stuck in her throat. She dared not gamble with Austin’s life.
Confident of her Leverage, Vicki pulled out her phone and played a video for Nicole.
“Look at your son, his fever has turned his ears red. Quite the sight, isn’t it?” Vicki’s tone was deceptively sweet as she cruelly taunted Nicole about Austin’s illness.
Nicole trembled, utterly helpless. Austin’s well-being was controlled by Vicki. At this point, even reaching out to Jarrod seemed futile.
After all, Jarrod was set to wed Vicki, and Nicole knew Jarrod’s character well. Though he could not truly love her, as a businessman, he always prioritized his self-interest and reputation.