Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
While Jarrod and Vicki had cohabitated as betrothed partners, their wedding date had been contingent on Nicole’s appeal and review of the fight for Austin’s custody. What spurred this sudden urgency?
Upon their union, Nicole’s chances to obtain custody of Austin would be further attenuated.
Vicki possessed a talent for masquerading and hoodwinking the public with her facade of innocence. Yet beneath, she harbored a heart of unmitigated cruelty. None rivaled her in cruelty. Jarrod would be better served to marry anyone but Vicki.
Nicole’s apprehension deepened, prompting her resolve to enter Jarrod’s villa to check on Austin stronger. Given the impossibility of seeking Jarrod’s approval of her entry, she resolved to explore alternative ways.
Addressing Alec, Nicole voiced her concern, “Alec, there’s cause for concern regarding Miss Hampton. I implore you to dedicate more attention to Austin. After all, he is also Jarrod’s child.”
This served as a reminder for Alec, who possessed intelligence and wouldn’t fall prey to deception easily. While Vicki excelled in the art of deception, her facade was destined to crumble eventually.
Following the phone call’s conclusion, Nicole pondered alternative approaches, yet the mansion’s formidable security posed insurmountable obstacles. Scaling the walls or navigating the backyard proved futile endeavors.
Hence, Nicole resorted to a rudimentary and inelegant tactic: vocalization. Positioned by the mansion’s gate, she vocalized her call for the nanny, confident that the household staff would recognize her voice. Her sole aim was to assert her presence and intent.
Deliberately refraining from uttering Austin’s name, Nicole feared unsettling him.
Given Austin’s unique nature, Nicole handled every aspect concerning him with utmost caution.
Nicole shouted, “Kamilah, Kamilah, are you there?”
After several repetitions, security personnel intervened, urging her to desist. “Madam, shouting in this residential vicinity is prohibited. Should you persist, I shall be obliged to request your departure.”
The security guard’s demeanor shifted from courteous to apprehensive, not out of concern for nuisance but rather out of fear of offending.
To them, Nicole’s conduct suggested she lacked familiarity with Jarrod. Where she connected, she’d refrain from such clamor, and Jarrod would have likely provided instructions for her entry.
Undeterred by the guard’s attempts to shoo her away, Nicole asserted, “My purpose is to meet Kamilah today. If you prefer not to endure my calls, kindly ascertain Kamilah’s presence within. That’s all I ask.”
Firmly, the guard replied, “Madam, I cannot assist in such matters. Entering the mansion to locate someone is beyond our purview. Your actions are untenable. Should you persist in causing a disturbance, immediate eviction will be necessary.”
Nicole, retrieving her phone, countered, “Kamilah and I have lost contact, fueling my concern. Failure to reconnect today will compel police involvement. Do you wish to avoid such consequences? A simple confirmation of Kamilah’s presence can avert any turmoil. I pledge to depart promptly upon hearing her voice during the call, disrupting none. Agreed?”
Nicole proposed a compromise, prompting the guards to weigh the options. Indeed, tasking the butler with confirming an identity inside posed no significant challenge.
Conversely, escorting Nicole away risked escalated ramifications, should she resort to police intervention.
After deliberation, one of the guards interjected, “Wait here. I’ll consult the butler for confirmation. But once you receive the answer, refrain from further disturbance.”
Nicole nodded gravely. “You have my word. I won’t trouble you further. My concern lies solely with Kamilah’s well-being, as I’ve been unable to reach her.”
Ensuring Kamilah’s safety was paramount to safeguarding Austin. With Kamilah’s presence, Nicole had faith in Austin’s protection. Yet now…
Considering Austin’s circumstances, it seemed likely Kamilah was either under constraint or unable to attend to Austin’s needs conveniently.
Nicole’s mind raced with conjecture, heightening her anxiety.
Shortly after, the guard emerged from within, conveying, “Madam, the butler relayed that Kamilah is indisposed and under care. Regrettably, she cannot contact you presently. You should return and await her communication once she recuperates.”
Nicole’s apprehension deepened. This sudden claim of illness to the point of lacking the strength to make a call?
Yet, she had just recently communicated with Kamilah through texts. This discrepancy strongly suggested the sender of the texts was an imposter.
Nicole shook her head firmly and implored, “Sir, kindly allow me entry to see Kamilah. I cannot rest until I’ve laid eyes on her…”
“You’re being entirely unreasonable!” The security guard’s frustration flared. He had already flouted protocol by relaying an outsider’s message. Now, with Nicole refusing to leave, if the butler reported it, he would bear the blame.
His demeanor toward Nicole shifted, his tone curt as he addressed her directly, “Madam, are you refusing to depart? Then do not hold me accountable for any discourtesy.”
Two security guards swiftly approached, grasping Nicole’s shoulders and escorting her outside.
Nicole fought valiantly, but she was no match for the strength of the two burly security guards.
As they restrained her, one guard said, “Miss, we really don’t want to do this. We don’t want to upset anyone. If you just cooperate, it won’t come to this, okay?”
Desperate, Nicole pleaded, “My child is in danger. I need to call the police!”
One of the guards chuckled dismissively. “Miss, are you serious? The young master is always out on the balcony, looking perfectly healthy. What danger are you talking about? Are you paranoid?”
Hearing this, Nicole’s fear subsided slightly, though her worry lingered.
The guard continued, “Look, even if you call the police, they won’t take such a report seriously. You know that, right? Go ahead and try, but you might find yourself the one in trouble. You could even end up in a psychiatric ward. The young master is well cared for by Miss Hampton. She’s a wonderful stepmother, very attentive. She visits daily to look after him…”
Nicole’s expression darkened. Before Vicki’s wedding with Jarrod, she was certain Vicki wouldn’t harm Austin. But now, with things changed, she wasn’t so sure.
Vicki’s actions against Kamilah, the nanny who had been taking care of Austin and trusted by Austin, were to gauge Jarrod’s reactions. If Jarrod showed indifference to Kamilah’s wellbeing, it could suggest that Austin might be at risk if Vicki made a move.
Though it was all conjecture, Nicole clung to the adage, “Better safe than sorry.” She absolutely could not allow this to happen.
Determined, she yelled, “Vicki, come out! Vicki, come out!”
The guards tried to silence Nicole, but it was too late.
Breaking free from the guards’ grasp with newfound strength, fueled by her burning desire to protect Austin, Nicole rushed to the door, pounding on it and calling for Vicki.
Moments later, the door swung open.
Vicki intervened upon seeing the security guards manhandling Nicole.
“Stop, stop. This is Austin’s mother. You can’t treat her like this.”
Vicki approached with a calm and gentle demeanor, appearing very much the lady of the house, and asked Nicole, “Are you hurt?”
Nicole doubted Vicki’s sincerity but knew she had to tread carefully.
Suppressing her anger, she inquired, “Miss Hampton, why has the nanny caring for Austin fallen ill?”
Vicki looked genuinely surprised by the question. “Nicole, I’m not sure about the nanny’s sudden illness. After all, sickness is common. It’s part of life. Are you suggesting I’m responsible?”
Vicki’s expression turned sorrowful, and she seemed on the verge of tears. “It’s tough being a stepmother. I try my best for Austin, but I can’t manage everything, especially not the health of an elderly nanny. Can you understand that, Nicole?”
The security guards found it difficult to watch the exchange anymore.
They believed Vicki was doing more than enough, and Nicole’s demands seemed unreasonable. Allowing the future hostess to be humbled in front of the boss’s ex was unacceptable. It was time for them to demonstrate their support.
One of the guards, feeling protective of Vicki, stepped forward, his presence commanding. “Miss Hampton, this woman is causing a disturbance. Perhaps we should escort her out to avoid further trouble.”
“No need,” Vicki quickly said, her voice still warm and soothing.
“Austin’s mother is understandably worried about her child’s caregiver. It’s natural for her to feel anxious. She didn’t mean any harm. She’s just concerned for her loved ones. Let’s not be too harsh on her.”
Vicki’s words subtly painted Nicole as unreasonable and overly focused on her own concerns without showing any hint of respect.
Nicole, disliking such indirect manipulations, refused to engage in Vicki’s games. “Vicki, may I see Kamilah?” she asked.
“You had called Jarrod earlier, right? If he hadn’t granted you access, unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do,” Vicki responded with a show of helplessness.
Vicki had been watching Nicole from the balcony since her arrival, observing her every move, including her desperate phone call. Despite Nicole’s pleas, Jarrod had not permitted her entry.
Vicki felt her position was finally solid. She was glad she hadn’t heeded Doreen’s advice to make things more difficult for Nicole.
Instead, she continued to cultivate her image as a devoted wife and mother, which had significantly solidified Jarrod’s trust in her, diminishing any remaining influence Nicole might have held.
“Can I at least talk to Austin?” Nicole asked, her tone more subdued, almost pleading.
Given that Austin’s wellbeing was now ostensibly in Vicki’s control, Nicole knew she had little leverage.
Vicki’s expression turned visibly self-satisfied as she denied the request. “I’m sorry, Nicole. Jarrod doesn’t want you to have any contact with Austin.”
Rejected once more, Nicole felt her frustration mounting, leaving her at a loss.
Vicki, seizing on Nicole’s vulnerability, lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Nicole, don’t say I never offered you anything. Why don’t you come back to work tonight? If I’m in a good mood, I might just let you see Austin.”
Nicole’s head snapped up. “Really?”
“Of course,” Vicki replied with a gleeful smile. “After all, when Jarrod’s away, I’m in charge of the Schultz household.”
Nicole was painfully aware that Vicki was right. Jarrod was too preoccupied with business matters to manage the home, relying instead on a hostess to oversee domestic affairs.
“I’ll hold you to that promise, but you must let me see Austin. If you deceive me, I’ll fight you with everything I’ve got,” Nicole warned Vicki sternly.
However, Vicki barely took Nicole’s threats seriously. To fight with everything she had got? With someone she considered frail and nearing their end? It seemed laughable to her.
Vicki waved her hand dismissively. “I’ve said you’ll see him, but…”
Vicki paused, her smile turning sly. “You’ll need to meet my conditions.”
“Okay.” Nicole agreed reluctantly. “I’ll do what you ask, as long as I get to see Austin.”
“Make sure you dress appropriately,” Vicki added, her smile chilling.