Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
However, her comment dampened the atmosphere slightly. Everyone here was waiting to get a marriage certificate. The fact of whether Jarrod was currently her husband seemed trivial since they were on the verge of marriage.
Nicole’s pointed clarification seemed somewhat awkward.
Jarrod’s face turned stern, but he chose not to offer any unnecessary explanations.
The girl chuckled and said, “Miss, you’re something. One moment not married, he’s not your husband yet. I should take a leaf out of your book. You’re absolutely right.”
Her boyfriend, seemingly worried, chimed in, “Learn what? You need help to find your way around, and yet you want to be like her? Hmph.”
“Mind your own business. I’ll learn.”
Nicole watched their exchange silently.
Given the couple’s youthful appearances, it suggested a possibility that they were getting married without their parents knowing. Despite their playful argument, their affection for each other was evident.
Their simple and open display of affection was something Nicole found enviable. Listening to them lifted her spirits.
The girl offered Nicole some candy serving to celebrate the marriage.
“Miss, try some candy. I selected each one myself. They’re all tasty.”
Nicole wasn’t fond of sweets, but the girl’s beaming smile made it difficult to decline. She selected a piece of chocolate and said, “Thank you.”
“Take one for your boyfriend,” the girl suggested.
Feeling awkward, Nicole remarked, “He doesn’t really like sweets.”
But as she spoke, Jarrod said, “I’ll try one.”
Once more, Nicole was at a loss for words.
The girl extended her hand toward Nicole and suggested, “Miss, you should give one to your boyfriend.”
Nicole, unable to refuse, selected a chocolate for Jarrod. He unwrapped it and tasted it promptly.
Nicole did the same, under the watchful eyes of the girl.
The chocolate had a subtle bitterness that transformed into a sweet and aromatic flavor, proving quite delightful.
The girl, watching intently, asked Nicole with hopeful eyes, “Miss, is it delicious?”
“Mm, it’s delicious,” Nicole confirmed.
“I knew it would be,” the girl said with a chuckle. “Even though I can’t taste it myself, I made sure to pick a good one based on lots of research.”
Curious about the girl’s statement, Nicole inquired, “What happened to your sense of taste?”
The girl explained somberly, “I’ve undergone chemotherapy multiple times. Now, I can’t taste anything at all.”
Upon hearing this, the girl’s boyfriend’s expression dimmed noticeably.
Nicole froze, taken aback by the gravity of the situation. “I’m sorry, I had no idea…”
The girl offered a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Miss. I’ve been dealing with this for quite some time and have come to terms with it. Once my boyfriend and I get the marriage certificate, we’re planning to travel the world. Just thinking about that adventure excites me!”
The girl’s boyfriend then interjected with concern, “Just make sure you keep taking your medicine on time. I won’t let you go otherwise.”
The girl responded with a mix of defiance and humor, “Oh, I never forget to take my medicine.”
Her boyfriend objected, “You used to secretly pour it out before.”
“That was before. Now I can’t taste anything, so I obediently drink it. It makes no difference to me how bitter it is,” the girl responded, her tone resolute.
Her boyfriend fell silent, his eyes briefly shadowed with sadness.
The girl playfully declared, “I win. Honey, you lose.”
The girl’s spirited demeanor captivated Nicole, who had never encountered someone so persistently positive before.
The couple engaged in a light-hearted conversation, seeming to Nicole like the happiest people on earth, untouched by adversity.
Their joy was contagious until Jarrod intervened. “It’s our turn.”
This snapped Nicole back to the reality of the situation.
The girl, still smiling, turned to Nicole and Jarrod. “Wish you a happy marriage.”
Nicole felt a pang of sadness at this statement, having predicted what might unfold ahead of her and Jarrod. But she kept her thoughts to herself, wishing the girl could retain her blissful ignorance forever.
After a pause, Nicole reached into her bag, pulled out a business card, and handed it to the girl. “If you’re planning to travel the world, start with Uchaesau. It’s beautiful there. This card is for my former colleague who can show you around.”
The girl accepted the card with gratitude. “Thank you, miss.”
“It’s nothing,” Nicole replied warmly.
The process for the marriage registration proceeded smoothly.
When the official stamped the marriage certificates, Nicole felt as though the seal had been pressed upon her heart as well. Overwhelmed, she realized she was now married, the reality setting in surreal waves.
Before Nicole could even grasp the marriage certificate, Jarrod snatched it away, stating assertively, “I’ll keep it.”
Jarrod then concealed the document in his pocket. His look suggested he feared Nicole might snatch the certificate to file for divorce immediately.
Nicole remained silent, her spirits sinking further. The acquisition of the marriage certificate did little to ease her concerns.
It merely postponed some of her immediate troubles, leaving her with a multitude of unresolved issues.
Stepping outside, Nicole’s attention was drawn to the young couple she’d met earlier.
The girl received a jubilant phone call, embracing her boyfriend passionately. “Honey, we just won the first prize! They’re going to sponsor our world tour!” she exclaimed with glee.
“Really?” her boyfriend asked, caught up in the excitement.
“Yes, really! It’s sponsored by the Schultz Group, a major legitimate company,” she explained enthusiastically.
Nicole looked on, surprised by the news, and turned to Jarrod.
Jarrod’s response was a mix of pride and joy. “She says I’m handsome and that makes me happy.”
Nicole was at a loss for words, noting a slight shift in his demeanor, perhaps a touch of newfound arrogance.
As the car started moving unexpectedly, Nicole, realizing they were heading somewhere, quickly asked, “Can I go see Austin now?”
“Sure. He’s waiting for you in our new home from now on,” Jarrod replied casually, setting the course for their future together.
Nicole felt her earlier perception was merely an illusion. Jarrod remained the controlling figure he always was.
Without raising any objections, Nicole’s primary concern was to reunite with Austin and uncover what had transpired with Kamilah.
While in the car, Jarrod said, “Hand over the backup of the camera storage footage to me.”
His directive left no room for discussion.
Stunned, Nicole questioned, “Why should I hand it over to you?”
Nicole was aware of Vicki’s questionable actions but was unclear about the specifics, especially concerning Kamilah, the nanny she had arranged for Austin.
How could she hand over the backup of the recording easily without making Vicki pay?
Nicole felt compelled to strip away any facade of innocence of Vicki’s and expose the truth, ensuring no future pretenses could stand.
Jarrod explained his reasoning, “You can’t use videos against the Hampton family. Both the Hampton and Schultz families are intertwined in business. Releasing it now would harm both parties, so we must keep it contained.”
Jarrod was navigating this situation not just for ethical reasons but for personal gain as well.
Nicole realized that despite any agreements between them, Jarrod would always prioritize his own interests, particularly if the situation concerned the Hampton family.
While Vicki might never be Jarrod’s wife, the financial entanglements between the Hampton and Schultz families made severing the cooperation a challenge.
Nicole was surprised by Jarrod’s firm stance against Vicki, pondering if his motivations were purely strategic or if deeper emotions were involved.
Nicole, unable to suppress her curiosity, questioned, “What if I seek vengeance on Vicki through other means?”
Jarrod’s face remained impassive as he replied, “You may, as long as it stays out of the media.”
Surprised by his lack of concern for Vicki, Nicole pondered whether Jarrod had truly given up on Vicki.
Amid the past few years, Vicki had always been a steadfast support for Jarrod. Yet now, Jarrod seemed completely detached from Vicki.
Jarrod’s decisiveness left Nicole stunned, her emotions mixed.