Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
The doctor appeared reluctant, as if he wanted to interject, but the woman, noticing Nicole’s watchful eyes, pulled him aside and whispered, “Let’s discuss this inside.”
The woman escorted the doctor and Roscoe into an office, securing the door behind them.
Nicole contemplated eavesdropping but quickly realized that the door was sealed too tightly for any sound to escape. She dismissed the idea and opted to reach out to a friend she had enlisted for assistance earlier. “Hey, any news on the issue I mentioned last time?”
Her friend responded promptly, “I was just about to update you. That woman is part of a tribe known for practicing witchcraft.”
Witchcraft? Nicole was taken aback, having never encountered such beliefs.
Her friend elaborated, “This witchcraft tribe is ancient. Their members are adept in voodoo and other arcane practices, notorious for their ruthless tactics and willingness to do anything for money.”
Nicole’s mind raced with unsettling thoughts. Why was a witch involved with Roscoe? What troubles had the Watts family possibly entangled him in, or was it someone else?
Recently, Nicole’s attention had been monopolized by Austin and Kamilah’s issues, causing her to lose track of Roscoe’s circumstances. Encounters with him had become rare, largely due to the Watts family’s stringent security measures. Clearly, something was amiss.
Nicole forwarded a recent audio recording to her friend, asking, “Can you translate this for me?”
“The background noise is overwhelming, and I’m unfamiliar with the witchcraft tribe’s language. I’ll enhance the audio quality and find someone who can interpret it,” her friend assured her.
“Okay, thank you,” Nicole replied.
“No need for formalities, Nicole.”
This friend, whom Nicole had met while overseas, had once received financial help from Nicole during a difficult period, enabling him to cover his mother’s medical expenses. He remained profoundly appreciative and was eager to reciprocate her generosity.
Just then, a nurse approached Nicole. “Miss, the patient in that room you’re inquiring about has just woken up.”
Nicole quickly pocketed her phone and followed the nurse to Jamie’s ward.
Inside, Jamie lay on the bed, looking frail. She had narrowly escaped death, and the ordeal had left her physically depleted.
After fleeing Jarrod’s control, her health had worsened significantly, compounded by the aftereffects of extensive plastic surgery, which had left her with various complications. The situation was grim.
“Jamie, who tried to kill you?” Nicole asked, cutting straight to the chase and using Melissa’s real name.
Perhaps because Jamie had been masquerading as Melissa for too long, she instinctively rejected the name. “What are you talking about? My name is Melissa.”
Nicole held up a damaged photo of her, which she had found in Jamie’s apartment, pressing Jamie for the truth. “How long will you keep up this facade? If you are Melissa, why do you hate me? What grudge do you have against me?”
Jamie’s eyes flickered with guilt, yet her agitation obscured her true feelings. “Stop talking nonsense. I told you, I’m not Jamie,” she insisted stubbornly.
“You’re not?” Nicole retorted, her voice tinged with incredulity. “If you weren’t, why would I have saved you? I should have just left you to die there.”
Nicole had rescued Jamie only to uncover the truth about her own father’s death and to determine if Jamie had colluded with Brett to harm her father.
Jamie shuddered at the memory of her ordeal before passing out in the bathtub.
“If you’re not Jamie, then find someone else to cover your medical bills. I’m leaving,” Nicole declared, discarding the photo as she turned to leave the room.
“Wait!” Jamie’s voice was tinged with desperation as she called out. “What do you want to know?”
Nicole halted and turned to face Jamie. “You’ve gotten smarter, haven’t you, Jamie?” she remarked, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
Jamie snorted dismissively. She was aware that Nicole needed something from her. Otherwise, why would Nicole be so determined to confirm her identity?
Nicole got straight to the point. “I want to know if you had contacted Brett before my father died.”
Uncertainty flickered in Jamie’s eyes. She hadn’t expected Nicole to already be aware of Brett. Discovering Brett would surely implicate her. She and Brett were inextricably linked. If one fell, the other would follow.
However, Jamie’s fear of exposure paled in comparison to her dread of the mysterious figure who had ordered her to get close to Jarrod. Her failure to curry favor with Jarrod had led to brutal punishment.
She could still recall the chilling words of that enigmatic person as he took her blood. “Whether you live or die is up to fate.”
He had turned on a slow trickle of water and opened a vein in her arm. As she hovered between consciousness and unconsciousness, her blood slowly drained while water enveloped her body. Had she not been discovered in time, she would have perished.
Jamie harbored no gratitude toward Nicole since she was inherently selfish, concerned only with her own interests. She knew the mysterious figure would not let go of her. To survive, she had to fulfill the tasks assigned to her.
Jamie’s voice was raspy and unsteady. “You want information? Then you’ll have to do something for me.”
“What is it?” Nicole inquired.
“Here.” Jamie shakily pulled out a small paper packet from her clothing. It appeared to contain powder. “Put this in Jarrod’s food or drink. Anything he consumes.”
Nicole raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to poison him?”
“It’s slow-acting,” Jamie’s lips tightened.
Nicole looked puzzled. “I thought you loved him?”
“I stopped loving him a long time ago,” Jamie replied, her eyes dark with hatred.
Jamie knew Jarrod had married Nicole. Despite Jarrod’s actions of disfiguring Jamie and the severe punishment he had inflicted, Jamie might have been able to overlook those because of the lingering love in her heart.
Jarrod was like an eagle. Once one fell under his charm, he was unforgettable, irreplaceable. Jamie’s feelings and fantasies were understandable. However, learning of Jarrod’s marriage with Nicole filled Jamie’s heart with nothing but hatred.
Nicole had effortlessly achieved what Jamie had long dreamed of, intensifying her resentment toward both Nicole and Jarrod. Jamie was aware that if Nicole followed her instructions, Alec wouldn’t leave Nicole unharmed. She simply wanted Jarrod and Nicole to suffer.
Nicole hesitated, not immediately agreeing. Unknown to her, Alec had already arrived at the hospital and was listening to their conversation from outside the room.
Jamie pressed her. “If you don’t agree, I won’t tell you where to find Brett or what happened to your father before he died. You’ll never know.”
Nicole considered briefly. It wasn’t a hard choice. She took the packet and asked, “Will he notice?”
Jamie’s eyes flashed with contempt. She regarded Nicole as despicable, despite Jarrod’s unwavering loyalty to her. “It’s colorless and tasteless. He won’t notice,” Jamie assured.
Nicole clenched the packet tightly and responded calmly, “I agree.”
Nicole left the hospital with some time left before the sun set. She decided to visit her mother and Kamilah. Kamilah had improved significantly and was now able to blink and respond to simple questions.
Although Kamilah still couldn’t speak, her recovery looked promising, thanks to Jarrod’s efforts. He had brought together a team of top-notch experts from both domestic and international backgrounds to diagnose and treat Kamilah.
Gathering such talent wasn’t just expensive. It required considerable influence. Some of these experts, now retired, cared little for money, making their involvement a testament to Jarrod’s extensive connections. Nicole knew about the significant strides Jarrod had taken, as Alec had occasionally dropped hints about Jarrod’s extensive efforts.
Even Nicole’s mother, previously declared brain-dead, had miraculously come back to some semblance of life, though she no longer recognized Nicole. Still, just knowing her mother was alive brought Nicole great solace.
Reflecting on her past despair, when she tried to end her life by jumping into the sea, Nicole recognized how much her life had changed.
At that time, she felt utterly alone, with no family or ties, except for the child she was carrying. She had been determined not to let her child fall under Jarrod’s control.
Now, her circumstances had shifted dramatically. She had several people depending on her: her mother, Austin, Kamilah, and Roscoe. Each of them gave her a reason to keep on fighting. Unlike her friend Audrey, who would still have Cornell’s care if she were absent, these people relied only on her.
This awareness urged Nicole to tread more carefully with her decisions. It was challenging, yet somehow, it felt like a fortunate burden. The people she loved were safe, and that mattered most.
When Nicole returned to the villa late that evening, the housekeeper was there to welcome her. “Madam, you’re back. We have some soup and dishes ready. Which would you prefer?”
“No, thank you,” Nicole replied, shaking her head. “I’ve already eaten.”
Noting that Nicole wasn’t interested in food, the housekeeper wished her a good night and retired.
Nicole, feeling exhausted, ascended the stairs without bothering to turn on the lights. The moonlight was sufficient for her to navigate to her wardrobe, select some clothes, and then get changed in the bathroom.
After her shower, Nicole finally switched on the bedside lamp, and to her surprise, Jarrod was sitting on the sofa. “When did you arrive?” she asked, startled.
Nicole hadn’t noticed Jarrod when she entered the house. Recently, Jarrod had been arriving home late, tangled in the affairs of the Hampton family, sometimes not coming home at all, though he always informed Nicole of his whereabouts.
“I’ve been here since you came in,” Jarrod answered.
Nicole was left speechless. “Why didn’t you say anything?” The realization that he had witnessed her changing under the moonlight, though faint, washed over her with embarrassment. Just thinking about it colored her cheeks a deep red.
“A man like me, right here. What kept you so distracted that you didn’t even notice me?” Jarrod’s voice carried a playful edge as he approached, his tall figure looming near the bed.
“Um, nothing, really,” Nicole mumbled in response.
Jarrod hummed a soft note and then inquired, “Where were you today?”
“I went to visit my mom and Kamilah,” Nicole responded, deliberately leaving out her encounters with Roscoe and Jamie.
Considering Roscoe’s tangled affairs with Doreen and the enigmatic presence of the woman experienced in witchcraft, she was certain Jarrod would stand by Doreen without question. Jarrod, having few living family members, had forged a strong bond with Doreen’s family.
Nicole noticed Jarrod’s unusual attentiveness toward Doreen, uncharacteristic of his usual indifference. It seemed clear to Nicole that Jarrod valued Doreen and Hallie.
After hearing Nicole’s reply, Jarrod remained silent for a moment. This silence unsettled Nicole, particularly because she was cornered between him and the wall. A subtle scent of alcohol lingered in the air, prompting her to inquire, “Have you been drinking?”
Jarrod merely grunted in response.
“I’ll have the maid prepare some hangover soup for you,” Nicole offered, eager to find an excuse to leave the awkward encounter.
Jarrod nodded and moved aside, allowing Nicole to quickly exit the room. As he watched her depart, Jarrod mulled over a conversation he’d had with Alec earlier this day.
Alec had gathered significant information, revealing that the woman Nicole rushed to the hospital as Melissa was actually Jamie. This revelation caught Jarrod off guard. He hadn’t anticipated Jamie altering her appearance so dramatically.