Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Jarrod furrowed his brow, deep in contemplation.
Nicole hadn’t expected Jarrod to make such a demand, and she was momentarily stunned. However, she swiftly replied, “Very well, I agree.”
Nicole had never entertained thoughts of remarriage. Aware of Jarrod’s inclination for pettiness, she had long abandoned any aspirations of marriage.
Observing her swift acquiescence, Jarrod’s initial unease subsided slightly.
Nicole inquired, “Is there anything else?”
“There’s one more thing.” Jarrod hesitated briefly before uttering, “I want you to keep this baby.”
This statement hit Nicole like a bolt, leaving her speechless with her mouth agape in disbelief. After a prolonged moment of stunned silence, she looked up, her gaze distant, and faltered, “What… What are you…?”
Jarrod approached slowly, his eyes fixed on her abdomen. “I want you to keep this baby.”
“I… I’m not pregnant,” Nicole struggled to articulate, feeling as though her heart was being constricted.
Nicole vividly recalled that Austin had been conceived unintentionally. Initially fearing for Austin’s survival within her belly, Austin had proven to be resilient, defying the odds and thriving despite the initial challenges.
Yet, the subsequent complications arising from her involvement with Jarrod had inflicted considerable anguish upon her. Austin had become her Achilles’ heel, a vulnerability that Jarrod was aware of. Thus, she would never acknowledge her pregnancy.
Jarrod retrieved a medical record from the desk and approached her, asserting, “Nicole, I don’t make baseless assumptions.”
The document meticulously outlined Nicole’s check-up and the prescribed medications.
With unwavering resolve, Jarrod declared, “I won’t allow you to terminate this pregnancy.”
The moment Jarrod obtained the medical records, he promptly reached out to Nicole, having anticipated her resistance and mentally prepared himself. He was prepared to make any compromise necessary to ensure the preservation of this child.
This was his child, the child of the woman he desired. Upon learning of Nicole’s pregnancy, all his jealousy and resentment became inconsequential. His sole desire was for Nicole to carry the baby to term.
If it were a boy, he would train him to assist Austin in managing the family business, envisioning the brothers as formidable forces in the Ardlens market. If it were a girl, she would be adored by the Schultz family, cherished by both Austin and himself, leading a life filled with happiness and devoid of worries.
As Nicole’s eyes regained focus, she offered a bitter, sardonic smile. Then, there was a crisp sound as Nicole’s hand connected with Jarrod’s face. Five distinct finger marks were imprinted on Jarrod’s handsome right cheek, evidencing the strength behind Nicole’s blow.
Nicole’s scream dripped with venomous hatred. “How dare you dictate that I should keep this baby! What right do you have? This child has nothing to do with you!”
Undeterred, Jarrod advanced, grasping Nicole’s shoulders firmly as he curved his lips into a faint smile. “I know this child is mine, Nicole. You can’t terminate the pregnancy.”
“I can’t?” Nicole erupted into loud, bitter laughter.
“Jarrod, who are you to dictate what I can and cannot do? Let me tell you, I will terminate this pregnancy without hesitation. Do you truly believe you can keep an eye on me incessantly? Are you going to assign someone to monitor me 24 hours a day, never resting? When I step into the bathroom, there will surely be no one watching. I possess countless means to end this pregnancy. Do you honestly think you can control me?”
Nicole fixed Jarrod with a chilling glare. “Stop deluding yourself, Jarrod. Do you truly believe you deserve to be the father of my child?”
Jarrod’s countenance, now adorned with the crimson imprint of her slap, remained composed. He uttered calmly, “Nicole, I understand you wish to leave me, but until this child is born, I cannot consent to a divorce. If you desire to maintain a relationship with Austin post-divorce, you will need to carry this pregnancy to term.”
While outwardly serene, internally, Jarrod wrestled with a tempest of emotions. He had braced himself to let go. Nicole’s affection for him had long waned despite his efforts to reconcile.
As Cornell had pointed out, coercing her to stay by his side would only result in mutual destruction. For the sake of their child, he mustn’t act rashly.
If Nicole had to assign blame, it should fall upon this unborn child for arriving at such an inopportune moment. Nonetheless, Jarrod would never permit her to terminate the pregnancy. He understood that this might be their final link.
Nicole found herself at a loss for words, murmuring, “You’re delusional!”
She remained resolute in her decision not to carry the child to term. Without engaging in an argument, Jarrod instructed his assistant to retrieve the agreement. “Do not act impulsively. Review it before making a decision.”
Nicole scrutinized the terms meticulously. According to the agreement, following childbirth, they could dissolve their marriage, with both parties retaining visitation rights. Their children would reside with either parent but maintain the autonomy to choose their primary residence, while the other parent would be granted visitation privileges.
On the surface, the conditions appeared equitable. Jarrod wasn’t coercing Nicole into relinquishing their children but rather proposing shared custody.
However, Nicole’s distrust in Jarrod ran deep. She perceived him as cunning, suspecting that his desire for this child stemmed from a calculated intention to manipulate her. Could he genuinely be altruistic enough to present such seemingly fair terms? She remained skeptical.
“Jarrod, I refuse to carry this baby to term,” Nicole declared resolutely. “I won’t.” One child was already a handful. Adding another would only amplify her vulnerabilities, subjecting her to ceaseless torment. She couldn’t endure that pain again.
Jarrod maintained his calm facade, seemingly having anticipated her rejection. “Nicole, contemplate the consequences of your decision. Are you truly prepared to sacrifice the opportunity to be with Austin and your freedom in exchange for terminating this pregnancy?”
Every word pierced Nicole to her core. Jarrod was attempting to persuade her, leveraging the child as a bargaining chip for what she held most dear: her connection to her children and her freedom.
Jarrod possessed an intimate understanding of Nicole’s psyche. He knew that the more forcefully he pressed, the more she would resist.
His desperation to retain the child drove him to employ any means necessary. Be it threats or assurances, whatever it took to secure the child. He desired to keep the child as a link between them. He harbored a naive hope that perhaps the child’s birth could catalyze a transformation.
Nicole remained silent, her lips tightly sealed, her inner turmoil inscrutable.
Sensing her reticence, Jarrod refrained from further coercion, masking his emotions. “Take your time to consider, Nicole.”
Nicole found herself in a quandary. She would have preferred to decline if she had the freedom to choose. However, Jarrod’s offer was too enticing to ignore. Not only would she regain her freedom, but she’d also have the chance to reunite with Austin.
Either option alone would have made it nearly impossible for Nicole to refuse.
“I promise you your freedom won’t be restricted during the pregnancy. If you deliver the baby safely, I’ll keep my word, and you will be free to live your life however you choose,” Jarrod said.
Jarrod paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, then continued, “However, if you still decide to terminate the pregnancy, then we won’t have anything to discuss. You should understand that fighting me over Austin’s custody and visitation rights is a losing battle. It won’t give you much time with Austin.”
Nicole scoffed to herself, feeling her emotions begin to settle.
That sounded more like the old Jarrod.
“Why are you so set on keeping this baby?” Nicole asked.
Jarrod looked at her in silence for a long time. Then, with an earnest tone, he responded, “Because this child is ours.”
That was all he needed to say. Sometimes even Jarrod was unsure of what he wanted, but his intentions were clear as day this time.
He wanted to fully embrace this pregnancy with Nicole, perhaps to make amends for his absence during her pregnancy with Austin. The life growing within Nicole’s belly was theirs, and he was committed to it, no matter the obstacles.
Nicole stood up, her face etched with fatigue, saying, “I need to think it over before I give you an answer.”
Although Nicole’s stance had softened somewhat, it wasn’t enough to put Jarrod at ease. “I’ll have Conor drive you back,” he offered.
Jarrod knew Nicole harbored a certain disdain for him, so he refrained from suggesting he drive her himself, despite his intense concern and his wish to be by her side. Still, he understood her reluctance to accept his help.
Nicole’s hesitation was clear. She yearned for a moment alone to sort out her thoughts. “I’ll make my own way back,” she asserted firmly.
Jarrod paused but ultimately nodded, respecting her decision.
Nicole rose from her seat, ready to make her exit.
As Nicole approached the door, Jarrod trailed behind her.
“Nicole,” he called out.
She stopped, feeling his presence behind her. Jarrod’s voice lowered to a whisper. “Think it over carefully. Austin misses you terribly.”
His words carried a double-edged message, blending a subtle plea with an implicit warning.
Despite knowing how much Austin longed for her, Nicole felt powerless to change the situation. “I will,” she replied, her voice tinged with resignation and sorrow.
As Nicole disappeared into the elevator, Jarrod’s gaze lingered on the descending lift, his heart sinking with each passing moment.
Conor approached Jarrod, intending to ask a question, but Jarrod stood silent for what felt like an eternity.
A heavy silence settled between them until Conor, bracing himself, finally spoke, “Mr. Schultz?”
After what felt like an eternity, Jarrod finally broke his silence.
“Find someone trustworthy to protect her.”
Feeling the distance in Jarrod’s demeanor, Conor couldn’t shake off the sense of helplessness. It was clear that his words had fallen on deaf ears.
Conor nodded respectfully. “Understood.”
“You can leave now,” Jarrod commanded, his brow furrowing with intensity.
“Right away, sir,” Conor nodded.
As Jarrod watched Conor leave, he added, “And remind them to be discreet. We can’t afford any slip-ups. She must remain unaware.”
Jarrod was wary of inadvertently causing Nicole to resent him with his protective measures.
Nicole was a force to be reckoned with. When she declared she was done loving, she meant every word. While she effortlessly moved forward, Jarrod found himself anchored to the past.
Jarrod found himself utterly captivated by Nicole’s presence. Every time she crossed his path or her name floated into conversation, it sparked a rush of awareness in him, like electricity coursing through his veins. He realized he had fallen completely under her spell.
However, the harsh truth that had struck Jarrod in Witch Valley shattered his heart. Nicole’s love for him had vanished without a trace. No matter what trials he endured, her affection would forever elude him.
Nicole’s gaze bore a truth that shattered Jarrod’s world. The love she once professed now lay in ruins.
The realization engulfed Jarrod in profound despair. He had genuinely aimed to set Nicole free. But fate, with its twisted sense of humor, had dealt him a cruel hand. Now, Nicole was pregnant with his child.