Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Ensure his survival at all costs,” Jarrod commanded with an icy tone.
The doors to the surgery room shut firmly, sealing off any view for several hours.
When the doctor finally announced the surgery’s completion, a fog lifted from Nicole’s mind. Learning that Alec was no longer in immediate danger brought her a profound sense of relief.
Alec was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit for further monitoring.
Shortly after, Jarrod left abruptly, delegating the task of communicating with Nicole to another assistant. The assistant conveyed that Jarrod had decided it was best for her to return home. Alec wouldn’t want her there upon awakening.
Feeling somewhat displaced, Nicole returned to the villa. There, she washed off the day’s stress with a shower before deciding to see Austin.
That evening, after reciting a bedtime story to Austin, Nicole found herself staring at his pale lips, deep in thought.
Upon their departure from the Witch Valley, Nicole had salvaged a porcelain bottle abandoned by the chief, who had carried multiple bottles of pills for herself.
Besides what was administered to Roscoe, Nicole had swiftly secured an additional bottle of pills. Both she and Roscoe had consumed some of the contents.
Although she felt physically well, she had not been medically evaluated. Concerned about potential side effects, she decided not to administer any of the pills to Austin until she had more information.
Opting to monitor the situation longer, she eventually drifted into a deep sleep next to Austin.
The following morning, Nicole awoke late, having slept more soundly than she had in a long time, the recent days of relentless anxiety having exhausted her.
The comfort of Austin’s nearness had contributed to her profound sleep.
Austin had eaten and left for his training with the family doctor by the time Nicole woke.
Descending the stairs, a maid approached Nicole to see if she wanted breakfast.
Nicole responded by asking for whatever was available.
When the maid returned with her meal, Nicole inquired, “Has my husband returned yet?”
The maid replied with a shake of her head, “No, ma’am, he hasn’t.”
Nicole fell silent, presuming that Alec was still unconscious.
It was unusual for Nicole to ask about Jarrod, a fact the maid noted. Hesitating, the maid then offered, “Ma’am, would you like to call Mr. Schultz?”
“No need,” Nicole said, brushing off the idea with a wave of her hand. At this time, Jarrod was likely at the hospital or deeply engaged in his work. Even if she reached out to him, what could she say? His mind seemed already made up, his assumption of her indifference like a tight knot that no amount of explanation could loosen.
After finishing her dinner, Nicole spent some time with Austin before heading to the hospital.
This morning, Nicole received a text from Roscoe, letting her know he had returned safe and sound. It seemed Jarrod had kept his word and not caused any trouble for Roscoe.
Roscoe was currently at the hospital for a thorough check-up.
He had also urged Nicole to undergo an examination, worried about the possible side effects of the untested ingredients in the pill.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Nicole had her tests done first. The results, however, wouldn’t be ready for several days. Since she was already there, she decided to visit Alec.
As Nicole approached Alec’s ward, the security guards recognized her. “Are you here to see Alec?” one asked politely.
“Yes,” Nicole answered. “Is Alec resting?”
“He might be awake. Let me check,” one of the guards said, reaching for the door.
Nicole stopped him. “No need. I’ll go in myself.”
Nicole knocked on the door but received no response. Assuming Alec was asleep, she began to walk away when a disturbing sound from inside the room caught her attention.
With a surge of alarm, Nicole burst through the door and discovered Alec on the floor, frantically reaching for something. Nearby, she spotted a knife.
As Alec grasped the knife, he moved with an almost mechanical efficiency, raising it toward his neck.
Trying desperately to disarm Alec, Nicole lunged forward. But even with only one fully functional arm, Alec’s strength was impressive, his desperation overshadowing Nicole’s efforts.
Their struggle resulted in a deep cut on Nicole’s hands, from which blood flowed profusely like a macabre waterfall.
Furious at his interrupted attempt, Alec’s face twisted in anger. “Damn it! What the fuck are you doing?”
A single urgent thought consumed Nicole. Alec must not die. Despite Alec’s rough demeanor, his unwavering devotion to Jarrod was undeniable.
To Nicole, this loyalty alone justified his right to live. Beyond that, Alec was a living person, and she could not just watch passively as he edged closer to ending his own life.
The noise brought the guards rushing in. The sound of the knife clattering to the floor echoed in the tight space.
Nicole slumped to the ground, blood streaming from her hands.
Alec yelled, “Get out… All of you, get out!”
A deep gash on Alec’s neck oozed crimson.
The guards, worried Alec might try to harm himself again, pinned him down on the bed.
At that moment, Alec felt utterly humiliated. In his better days, these guards wouldn’t have stood a chance against him.
Now, they overpowered him easily. He felt he was utterly useless!
The mobility challenge posed by the loss of his right arm threatened to overwhelm Alec’s soul.
His once robust physique, which had been his pride, was no longer the case. Even changing his outfit proved to be a challenge now.
Exasperated by being suddenly plunged into a world where he seemed useless for Jarrod, he hated to see himself in need of others’ help.
Alec wasn’t afraid Jarrod would leave him behind. Quite the opposite, he was confident Jarrod would take care of everything for him in the future, making sure he had everything he needed.
But Alec simply couldn’t bear the thought of being useless, no longer able to engage in fighting, boxing, or any physical activities he loved.
“Get out!” Alec screamed like a madman. “All of you, get out now!”
As soon as the guards released Alec, he threw a glass at them, which smashed into pieces upon impact.
The guards, fearing further self-harm from Alec, felt compelled to restrain him again.
Just as the situation seemed hopeless, a cool, authoritative voice cut through the tension. “Release him!”
Jarrod walked in, surveying the chaos around him.
The bodyguards hesitated but ultimately released Alec.
“Sir, please don’t bother with me anymore,” Alec said to Jarrod, his earlier madness subsiding, clarity returning to his eyes, though still clouded by despair.
“I truly don’t want to live anymore.”
Back in the mountains, his mind hazy from the impact of the strike, Alec only remembered Jarrod’s unwavering refusal to leave him behind.
Now, fully aware of his diminished state, he felt overwhelmed by profound despair. Life had become an insufferable burden due to his incapacitated body.
Suicide appeared as a dark yet appealing way out, yet even the simple act of handling a knife was more than his weakened body could manage. This inability drove Alec further into despair.
Having made many enemies throughout his life, Alec preferred to end it on his own terms rather than fall into their hands and face a potentially gruesome end.
This way, he thought, he could avoid further humiliation and find some semblance of peace.
Alec’s voice was drenched in hopelessness. “Just let me die,” he begged, his tone one of utter resignation. “You can’t look after me forever.”
This was not just a momentary plea. Alec’s attempt at ending his life wouldn’t be his last. He would surely seek another chance.
It was clear to everyone that Alec had completely lost his will to live. For most people, it was hard to imagine how losing an arm and being physically limited could crush his will to carry on.
Even with one arm, wasn’t there still a life worth living? What could be more crucial than pushing forward?
Yet, our lives were made up of countless aspects, each holding unique significance.
For Alec, who had always relied on his physical strength, losing an arm meant losing his position and purpose, a suffering greater than death itself.
Jarrod stood motionless, deeply affected by Alec’s despair, torn by a complex mix of feelings. He pondered how he would handle such a devastating blow if he were the one injured.
With profound sadness, Jarrod stepped closer, locking eyes with Alec. Although his face remained stoic, the pain he felt was palpable only to him.
“By giving up, you might think you’re finding relief,” Jarrod whispered softly. “But have you thought about the impact on those you leave behind? Do you want to burden me with a lifetime of guilt and regret?”
Jarrod quickly grabbed some gauze to press against the deep cut on Alec’s neck and said with grave seriousness, “Alec, you once promised that you would value your life. Have you forgotten those words?”
“I…” Alec’s body shook slightly. “Please, don’t push me,” he pleaded, his face contorted with pain. “I just want to be free.”
“Alec, there is still a path forward for you. Your left hand can become as skilled as your right,” Jarrod urged him with genuine conviction.
“But I can’t accept this!” Alec cried out, his voice burdened with sorrow. He glared at Nicole, his eyes burning with a renewed sense of purpose. “I won’t let my sacrifice be for nothing.”