Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Nicole rolled her eyes, deciding not to engage further. She grabbed the clothes and retreated into the bathroom. Once inside, she discovered a deception.
The garments Jarrod had given her were merely a sheer, almost transparent negligee. It was outrageously revealing, barely covering anything. She had never worn anything so revealing, and she wasn’t about to start. This guy!
“Jarrod!” she called out, her voice thick with anger. “What is this?”
The bathroom door swung open. Jarrod leaned against the frame, a lazy smirk on his face. “You called?”
“Who said you could come in?” Nicole’s voice was sharp as she tightened her hold on the towel.
Jarrod’s eyebrow arched. “Didn’t you just call for me?”
Nicole was exasperated. “I didn’t mean for you to come in!”
Feeling vulnerable under his scrutinizing gaze, Nicole regretted her decision to marry him. It had been a rushed decision, driven by desperation. Now, contemplating the consequences, she felt trapped. For the sake of her child and Kamilah, she felt she had no other option.
While she was lost in her thoughts, Jarrod had closed the distance between them. Nicole realized too late that resisting him might not be an option. Panic surged within her. “Hey, get out!”
Jarrod grasped her wrist, pressing her against the frosted glass of the bathroom, his presence enveloping her. “Nicole, this is our wedding night. Where do you expect me to be?” His voice was deep, tinged with warmth and seduction.
“Jarrod, stop this…” Nicole’s voice shook, her anxiety palpable. Yet, Jarrod remained calm and confident, his robe falling open to reveal his defined physique.
His lips grazed her ear, his breath warm as he whispered, “Don’t call me Jarrod. Call me honey. I want to hear it.”
Flushing with embarrassment, Nicole retorted, “In your dreams!”
“Indeed.” Jarrod chuckled softly, his laughter resonating lazily. “Being married to you does feel like a dream.”
Nicole, desperate and struggling against his strength, found him unyielding. Suddenly, Jarrod’s approach changed. His kiss was fierce, leaving no room for refusal. He kissed her slowly, deliberately, as if savoring each moment, coaxing a response from her guarded exterior.
Though Nicole had anticipated such actions, she struggled with the reality of her response, both physical and mental. She struggled with her psychological response to Jarrod’s advances, despising herself for reacting to him.
She tried to reassure herself that her reactions were normal for any woman, that it was natural to respond physically even when the mind resisted. Particularly when this man employed every seductive tactic imaginable.
She was infuriated, questioning if he had spent years perfecting these methods. His actions were so precisely aimed at eliciting a response that it felt almost calculated, as if he knew exactly how to break through her defenses.
Jarrod strategically avoided her lips, instead focusing on areas less likely to provoke her resistance. His hand moved from her wrist to her neck, firmly holding her in place. Then, his other hand began to wander beneath her towel. Using all her strength to resist proved ineffectual. Jarrod observed Nicole closely, her flushed face heightening her sense of vulnerability.
Faced with his intense, impassioned gaze, Nicole closed her eyes. She couldn’t bear to see the look in his eyes any longer. This all felt like a charade.
Nicole tried to convince herself that they were merely satisfying a need, treating their interactions as nothing more than physical transactions.
Yet, Jarrod seemed intent on dismantling any such detachment, determined to shatter her composure completely. He crouched down…
The towel around Nicole slipped in the struggle. Nicole’s eyes widened, her body tensing as if turning to stone. Her fingers, pressed against the glass, clenched tightly, then stiffened. Was he out of his mind? How could he… How could he act this way…
The mirror opposite them mirrored their outlines sharply. The intensity of the moment, combined with a rush of unexpected sensations, pushed Nicole to the edge. Her heart pounded wildly, and she whispered a curse under her breath, “Jarrod, you’re insane…”
Without warning, Jarrod lifted her and threw her onto the bed, his lips claiming hers in a forceful kiss. Nicole’s eyes shot open in shock. He had timed it perfectly, choosing the moment she was too overwhelmed to resist. Now, she felt powerless to push him away. But…
After a prolonged, fervent kiss, Nicole gasped for air and rebuked, “Jarrod, you’re disgusting!”
“Are you saying you’re disgusting too?” Jarrod replied, amusement sparkling in his eyes, clearly enjoying the moment.
Nicole’s face burned with embarrassment. Who spoke like this? She was completely taken aback.
“I don’t mind your water…” Jarrod interrupted her with another kiss.
“That’s enough,” Nicole managed to say.
“I haven’t even begun…” His voice was rough with desire. “You’ve had an orgasm, but what about me?”
Nicole was left speechless by his crude comment. She realized he was far from satisfied, now more agitated, poised to continue. Her hesitation wouldn’t alter the inevitable. Resigning herself to the situation, she viewed it as a mere transaction and shut her eyes tight. “Hurry up then.”
“I can’t just…” Jarrod allowed her little chance to protest, his presence imposing. “You’re in for a long night.”
The night unfolded with his unyielding ardor. He was like a desperate explorer, seeking affirmation of the reality through relentless touch. As the intensity enveloped them, Jarrod held Nicole close, his voice low and firm. “You’re never leaving me again. Not even a step, understand?”
Last night’s passion had exhausted Nicole, causing her to remain asleep throughout the entire morning. Upon finally awakening, Nicole discovered that Jarrod, who had shared her bed, was absent, and the dark linens had been replaced with a pristine white set.
Nicole vaguely recalled that the bedding had been changed due to being too damp to sleep on. The situation was undeniably over the top! She felt a mix of mortification and irritation at Jarrod’s lack of restraint. The trade seemed to be in Jarrod’s favor. He seemed like a ravenous wolf deprived of sustenance for a long time. The earlier kissing had merely served as a prelude. It was utterly excessive!
Nicole had just awakened when a servant knocked, softly inquiring, “Ma’am, are you awake?”
Nicole paused for a moment at how she was addressed. After a brief silence, she responded, “Yes.”
“Can you eat breakfast now? Mr. Schultz asked me to bring it to your room.”
Nicole was at a loss for words. This was truly superfluous! It was as though he feared that others wouldn’t realize they had made out passionately last night…
However, Nicole didn’t want to go downstairs at this moment. She lacked the courage to face the inquisitive stares of others. Just the thought of it made her uneasy. She replied, “Bring it in ten minutes.”
Rising from the bed, her legs immediately felt weak. She cursed Jarrod under her breath and went to the bathroom to quickly freshen up.
When breakfast arrived, it was very refreshing with porridge, simple dishes, and some food beneficial for the stomach. Nicole felt exceptionally hungry and possessed a robust appetite. She consumed a substantial amount.
One reason for this was the improved situation with Kamilah and Austin, allowing her to temporarily lift the heavy burden on her heart. Consequently, her appetite increased noticeably.
Next, she needed to wait for Kamilah’s condition to stabilize before formulating any plans. Kamilah had dedicated herself to Austin’s care for years.
Under no circumstances could Nicole bring herself to abandon Kamilah. Nicole felt the need to ensure that Kamilah received proper treatment. Experts suggested that with adequate care, there was hope for Kamilah to recover up to 70%.
Compared to foreign physicians, Nicole trusted the competence of domestic doctors more. During her time abroad, she had witnessed numerous instances of misdiagnosis or patients’ conditions worsening due to excessive medication.
Therefore, in the short term, Nicole didn’t intend to leave. She needed to care for Kamilah while also taking Austin to consult with a local doctor to find an effective way to support his wellbeing. Furthermore, she needed to be mindful of Vicki’s predicament.
Nicole examined her phone and discovered no online reports of Vicki’s arrest. The Hampton family must have swiftly managed to hush up the incident.
They sought to diminish public interest and shirk accountability. Scoffing, Nicole decided to bide her time. She intended to observe how the Hampton family managed the affair before striking decisively at the opportune moment.
She anticipated that Vicki’s detention would be brief. The nanny’s reluctance to confess indicated that Vicki had secured a dependable scapegoat. With sufficient financial incentive, the nanny would remain silent. Nicole had enlisted a friend’s help to delve into the nanny’s background but had yet to receive any updates. All she could do was wait patiently.
At the same time, in the office of the president at the Schultz Group:
Jarrod reached the company at 10:00 in the morning. This was unusual. Typically, unless traveling for business, Jarrod would be at the office by 7:50.
Compared to all other employees, he consistently arrived first. The company’s hours were 9:00 to 17:00, but he often worked from 8:00 until 22:00 or even later. Therefore, Jarrod’s late arrival today, coupled with his cheerful demeanor, drew the employees’ attention.
“What’s the matter with the boss? Seems like there’s some good news.”
“Mr. Schultz isn’t about to get married, is he? It must involve Miss Hampton.”
“Mr. Schultz and Miss Hampton’s relationship has always been steady. When she visited, he was never this happy before. Why does he seem so elated today? I doubt it’s related to Miss Hampton.”
“Then with whom does it concern?”
Their conversation halted abruptly at the intrusion of a chilly voice. “Seems like everyone’s got time on their hands.”
The employees pivoted to find Alec looming behind them. “Alec…”
Alec’s countenance was frosty. “If idle chatter about the resident is how you spend your work hours, expect a deduction from your perfect attendance for a month.”
Several employees promptly averted their gazes and dispersed. As they rounded the corner, whispers resumed.
“Why is Alec so irritable?”
“But Mr. Schultz seems cheerful. Why’s Alec in a foul mood?”
“Best not dwell on it. If Alec catches us, we will be doomed. Let’s hustle back to work.”
Alec’s countenance bore a grave demeanor, stemming from his recent departure from the public relations department. Mere moments earlier, Jarrod had mandated Alec to disseminate news regarding the termination of the engagement between himself and Vicki.
Presently, the Schultz and Hampton families remained in collaboration. Undoubtedly, this news would deliver a significant impact. Even though it was Jarrod’s personal affairs, its repercussions undoubtedly loomed over the company.
Should Vicki provoke any commotion, the meticulously crafted reputation of the Schultz Group would assuredly plummet. Alec fervently hoped for Vicki’s discretion, praying she refrained from instigating any turmoil. The prospect was unbearable.
Yet, contemplating Vicki, Alec couldn’t help but lament her ineffectuality. He had held her in high regard, anticipating her as Jarrod’s future wife. Her ultimate defeat came as an unexpected blow.
Upon entering Jarrod’s office, Alec found him engrossed in reviewing the proposal on his computer screen and providing feedback. Upon hearing Alec’s entrance, Jarrod remained focused on his task, not bothering to lift his head as he inquired, “Did you send it out?”
“Arrangements are finalized. The scheduled time is 2:00 in the afternoon,” Alec replied.
Jarrod voiced no objections. Unless urgent, the public relations department typically allotted an appropriate timeframe. A hint of dissatisfaction lingered in Alec’s tone. “Mr. Schultz, time is of the essence. Severing our collaboration with the Hampton family while announcing this information will incur losses.”
Jarrod arched an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting we wait until the originally scheduled wedding day to divulge?”
Truly, the impending wedding date known to the public left little room for delay. If they postponed the announcement any further, time would swiftly elapse. Alec was unaware of recent events in the country over the past two days, leaving him puzzled as to why Jarrod was rushing to cancel the engagement. He speculated that something significant must have occurred.
Before Alec could inquire, Jarrod delivered a weighty revelation. “Vicki has been arrested.”
Jarrod then commanded, “Proceed to the police station to ascertain the Hampton family’s response, and then return with a report.”