Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Jarrod caught Alec’s look and met Nicole’s eyes. He tightened his lips and stated firmly, “Alec, think of it as a debt I owe you for your arm.”
Alec’s brief calm exploded into rage. “Why do you keep defending her?” He grabbed Jarrod’s hand, his voice rising almost to a shout. “She’s not worth it! She doesn’t care whether you live or die!”
Nicole had not anticipated Alec’s finger pointing at her. Although she wasn’t entirely to blame, in Alec’s perspective, her choice not to prioritize Jarrod was a grave mistake. Alec’s anger was expected.
Despite the unreasonableness of Alec’s resentment, Nicole knew to Alec and the others, that the value of her or Roscoe’s lives was negligible and disposable.
Jarrod’s face was set in a grim expression, his lips tightly compressed. Alec’s fury erupted.
“Losing this arm doesn’t bother me. I would give my life to you without hesitation. Ever since you rescued me, I’ve dedicated my life to you. But this woman’s heart is elsewhere. She’s not worthy of your sacrifices.”
Each word from Alec struck Jarrod like a knife. Sharp as he was, Jarrod couldn’t overlook the evident truth that Nicole prioritized Roscoe over him.
But sometimes, a true gambler was someone who knew the risks but still chose to fight.
Despite everything, Jarrod still wanted to keep Nicole close by his side, clinging to the faint hope that she might be moved one day.
“I’ll decide what’s worth it,” Jarrod said. “You lost that arm saving me. Just name what you desire. Anything that will make you feel better.”
Alec’s fury dissipated, his face turning stern. “Sir, I’ll let her go for your sake, but Roscoe, I want his arm.”
Nicole caught the resolute chill in Alec’s gaze. He was serious. She said sharply, “If you have grievances, settle them with me. Why involve Roscoe?”
Nicole frowned. In this whole situation, Roscoe was the innocent party. If she had decided to save Jarrod back then, Roscoe’s body would likely have been crushed beyond recognition.
The tree’s fall was an act of nature. Had Jarrod and his crew not been there to rescue her and Roscoe, they wouldn’t have been in such danger.
With the senior man’s intervention, Nicole assumed she and Roscoe might have managed to escape alone, but it was undeniable that Jarrod had saved them.
If Alec held her accountable for his injury, she could accept that. But to hold Roscoe responsible was unjust. She was the one who chose to save Roscoe.
If grievances needed to be settled, they should be directed at her.
“I wouldn’t have lost my arm if you hadn’t saved him, right?” Alec shot back.
Actually, Alec didn’t truly blame anyone and recognized it as an accident. Even if given another chance, he would choose the same path.
Even when Nicole had alerted Jarrod of the impending danger, he might still have ended up injured.
However, Alec’s resentment lingered. Seeing Nicole instinctively save another man felt to him like Jarrod’s efforts and sacrifice had been wasted.
What was so good about Roscoe? Hadn’t Jarrod been good to Nicole? He risked his life to save her, only to be met with disappointment!
Alec aimed to show Jarrod that Nicole would always favor Roscoe, no matter what.
Nicole found this ridiculous. “Alec, do you really believe that’s reasonable?”
Alec sneered, “You left Mr. Schultz to save Roscoe. That’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t leave anyone behind. Roscoe was helpless at that time. Was I supposed to just watch him die?” Nicole couldn’t accept Alec’s logic.
“So, you were okay with the prospect of Mr. Schultz facing danger!” Livid, Alec turned to Jarrod.
“Sir, did you catch that? She’d stand by and watch you die. I can’t guard you any longer. Don’t put your life on the line for her again. If you die, she’ll probably get back to Mr. Watts before you know it.”
Alec’s words were venomous, designed to cut deep.
“Alec!” Nicole was shocked that Alec would incite such drama.
“Enough!” Jarrod intervened, his attention briefly on Nicole’s bleeding hands. He instructed a bodyguard, “Take her out and get her hands bandaged.”
Nicole had more to say, but Jarrod motioned for the bodyguard to lead her away. The door closed behind Nicole.
Alec’s fiery demeanor seemed to disappear at Nicole’s departure, his aggression fading away.
“I get your point,” Jarrod finally said, his eyes on the window.
“Sir, I just wanted you to see things clearly…” Alec tried to explain.
“I see it clearly, but…” Jarrod sighed deeply and said with a bitter smile, “I can’t help myself.”
“Sir, there are plenty of women out there. Why do you have to get stuck on her?” Alec couldn’t comprehend it. What did Jarrod see in Nicole? Even shot by Cupid’s arrows, at least with a woman who was worth his sacrifice.
To Alec, Nicole was heartless, having inflicted harm upon Jarrod on several occasions.
“Alec, have you ever been in love?” Jarrod suddenly asked.
“No,” Alec answered truthfully. Romance had never been a priority for him, nor had he encountered anyone who sparked his interest.
It wasn’t that Alec’s standards were excessively high, but his rude demeanor and the nature of women he met, who were usually after his money or had hidden agendas, meant that none really valued him for who he was.
He had never fallen in love, and now, with his disability, he believed it was even less likely.
Alec had given up on the idea of marriage and children. With numerous enemies, he preferred not to expose anyone else to his perilous existence.
For him, solitude, devoid of any ties, was the most liberating and comfortable choice.
Jarrod looked at Alec with a meaningful look. “Once you fall in love, you’ll comprehend what it’s like to knowingly walk into danger, to willingly trap yourself in trouble even when you see a clear way out.”
“In this life, you’re my brother through thick and thin, and Nicole is the one I cannot bear to lose,” Jarrod added, making his stance clear.
Alec understood that no argument of his would change Jarrod’s mind. He hadn’t intended to sow discord, but it pained him to see Jarrod’s affection go unreciprocated.
“I understand. I won’t bring it up again,” Alec answered, bowing his head.
“And keep moving on. Once you’ve healed, work on strengthening your left arm. The company still relies on you,” Jarrod ordered. He knew Alec well.
Forcing Alec to retire with a pile of money would be more painful than death. Alec needed to feel valued.
Indeed, a flicker of hope ignited in Alec’s previously dim eyes, though his spirit seemed a bit crushed.
“Sir, I’m not sure what I’m capable of anymore,” Alec said, his confidence waning.
“I need you to lead, not to fight,” Jarrod clarified.
“Look at me. When was the last time I had to physically fight? That’s what bodyguards are for. Your job is to oversee the company’s safety, not to engage in combat. This isn’t Amolica, you get that?”
“I understand.” Alec nodded, feeling embarrassed. He realized how irrational his thoughts of giving up had been. It was just the loss of one arm.
People with disabilities didn’t cease to live full lives because of their impairments. Many led active, satisfying lives. He had been shortsighted.
“I’ll make a quick recovery,” Alec assured.
“Take your time.” Jarrod paused a bit and then said, “Regarding Roscoe…”
Jarrod paused, deep in thought, before he finally spoke.
“Don’t kill him.”
Alec’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Sir, you want to spare Roscoe?”
“I gave Nicole my word,” Jarrod replied firmly.
Alec’s jaw tightened. “Fine, but I’ll only promise not to kill him.”
At that moment, Alec wanted nothing more than to eliminate Roscoe. In his simplistic mindset, he believed that without Roscoe, Nicole would fall in line and stop provoking Jarrod.
However, Alec failed to grasp that the rift between Jarrod and Nicole ran much deeper than Roscoe.
The issues dividing them were far more significant, riddled with misunderstandings that had festered over time, creating wounds that were hard to heal.
Jarrod remained stone-faced. While he had made a promise to spare Roscoe’s life, he hadn’t guaranteed that Roscoe wouldn’t suffer harm.
If Alec hadn’t intervened, he might have been the one who suffered the loss of an arm.
How could Jarrod not be troubled by that prospect? The thought of Nicole not shedding a tear if he lost an arm gnawed at him.
Jarrod’s tone turned icy. “I promised only to spare his life, nothing more.”
Alec caught the underlying implications immediately. Jarrod’s words carried layers of meaning, reigniting a fierce will to live within Alec. “Don’t fret. I will recover in no time,” he declared, his resolve unwavering.
Alec vowed to recover swiftly and then deal with Roscoe. If he could rid himself of that nuisance, he would still be valuable to Jarrod.
As Alec’s determination shone through his eyes, Jarrod was relieved. He knew deep down that he had made the right call.
Letting Alec go after Roscoe was the only lifeline left to throw Alec. It was the one thing that might reignite Alec’s will to live.
At that point, Jarrod understood Nicole’s mindset. It dawned on him that when one harbored a genuine dislike for someone, the latter’s well-being became inconsequential.
Even sparing their life becomes less about mercy and more about ensuring they endure relentless torment.