Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Jarrod’s voice was laced with panic, a tone Nicole had never heard from him before.
Jarrod attempted to sit up, his eyes darting around the room as he called out again, “Nicole…”
Nicole, mindful of his fresh bandages and the strain any movement would put on him, coughed softly to signal her presence and took a few steps closer. “I’m right here,” she reassured him gently.
Jarrod’s gaze lifted to meet hers, his voice tinged with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. There’s nothing to worry about,” Nicole responded calmly.
The relief that washed over Jarrod’s face was palpable, his eyes softening as the tension drained from his features.
In his groggy state, Jarrod was haunted by a terrifying dream. He envisioned Doreen, knife in hand, lunging at Nicole and stabbing her in the abdomen. This nightmare jolted him into a state of urgency.
Abruptly, Jarrod reached out and wrapped his arms around Nicole’s waist, resting his head gently against her belly. He was cautious not to press too hard, enduring his own pain to maintain this tender connection.
“Nicole, I beg you, hold on to our baby,” he murmured urgently.
Taken aback by his sudden embrace, Nicole’s initial reaction was to escape, but Jarrod’s grip was both secure and soothing, binding her closely.
“Please…” His voice cracked as he raised his eyes to meet hers, filled with a raw, heartfelt plea. “Nicole, from the depths of my heart, I beseech you, do not forsake our child. I vow to grant you the liberty you cherish. I give you my word.”
Nicole’s frame stiffened, her face etching a portrait of rigidity and resistance. This instinctive reaction was her immediate and profound response to his desperate entreaty.
Jarrod was momentarily stunned by Nicole’s reaction. A bitter smile flickered across his face as he released her. He realized with a heavy heart that Nicole would never again feel any affection or attachment toward him.
The only emotions she seemed to harbor now were hatred and disgust. It was stark, the way she detached herself, stripping him of any remaining hope. Her indifference was like a blade to his heart.
To Nicole, Jarrod’s emotional plea was merely a minor blip, insignificant in the grand scheme of her life. She responded with a cool, distant tone, “Since you’re awake, I’ll be heading back now. I hope you get well soon.”
Her words carried no warmth. They were merely a formality, spoken because he was the father of her child, and a semblance of civility had to be maintained. Nothing more.
“Take some rest, Nicole.” Jarrod’s voice held a resigned tone as she made her way to the door.
Just as Nicole reached for the handle, Jarrod’s voice stopped her. “Hey, Nicole!”
Turning back, Nicole met his gaze, curiosity evident in her expression. Seizing the moment, Jarrod spoke with determination. “I’ll handle Doreen. Don’t worry. I won’t go easy on her.”
His words were a pledge—a declaration of his commitment to keeping Nicole and their child safe. With Doreen’s actions becoming increasingly volatile, Jarrod understood the urgency of the situation, especially with Nicole carrying their unborn child.
If Doreen escaped repercussions now, there was no telling how arrogant she might become in the future.
Jarrod’s decision was firm, his resolve unwavering.
Nicole remained silent. She had no intention of letting Doreen off lightly. As long as Jarrod didn’t intervene, that was all she needed.
Each incident had to be judged independently. While Doreen’s being raped was tragic, her intent to harm Nicole was a harsh reality.
Nicole harbored no sympathy for someone who sought to inflict harm upon her.
Upon returning home, Nicole surrendered herself to sleep, seeking solace in its embrace. In truth, the terror she felt as the sulfuric acid threatened to disfigure her was palpable.
For a woman who valued her appearance, the prospect of facial scars was a chilling reality.
While scars on her body could be concealed, facial disfigurement would be a permanent mark, impossible to hide.
No amount of money could fully mend the damage wrought by sulfuric acid burns. Its impact would forever linger.
The sheer ruthlessness of Doreen’s actions, contemplating such a vicious act as throwing sulfuric acid, left Nicole incredulous. How could one woman harbor such malice toward another?
Recalling the moment when Jarrod fearlessly shielded her, a flicker of gratitude stirred within Nicole. Yet, as quickly as it came, it was overshadowed by the realization that Doreen’s brazenness stemmed from Jarrod’s indulgence.
With that realization, Nicole’s gratitude waned. Jarrod’s habitual leniency toward those he cared for had now come back to haunt him, the repercussions of his actions echoing in his hospital room.
After a restful sleep, Nicole found herself feeling considerably better.
Yet, as for Jarrod’s hospital stay, Nicole found little time to pay a visit. Her days were consumed by the demands of the Lawrence Group, the company she had inherited and was endeavoring to revive. However, the task proved more arduous than she had anticipated.
The landscape of the energy sector had shifted over the years, leaving the Lawrence Group struggling to reclaim its former prominence.
Moreover, attracting skilled individuals to join the Lawrence Group’s cause proved challenging, leaving Nicole to juggle numerous responsibilities single-handedly.
From managing reports to orchestrating meetings and promoting products, Nicole found herself wearing many hats. The weight of these responsibilities, combined with the fatigue of early pregnancy, left her perpetually drained and longing for respite.
In the evenings, Nicole made time to visit both Austin and her mother at the sanatorium, diverting her attention away from Jarrod’s hospitalization.
Driven by a desire to provide her children with autonomy and independence, Nicole threw herself into her work, determined to secure their financial freedom.
While she acknowledged Jarrod’s genuine concern for their child, she couldn’t ignore his controlling tendencies, fearing their potential impact on their children.
It was imperative to Nicole that her children knew they could always seek refuge with her, free from any form of coercion.
During a business dinner, Nicole was accompanied by a young business development manager named Davina. Despite her youth, Davina possessed an impressive repertoire of skills, including a high tolerance for alcohol and an adept ability to navigate through clients and suppliers with ease and grace.
Nicole admired Davina’s resilience and had made it clear from the outset that they didn’t endorse the practice of coercing individuals to drink for business purposes. Should a client overstep their boundaries, Davina had the authority to firmly decline their advances.
Fortunately, Davina’s adeptness in handling such situations surpassed even Nicole’s expectations, alleviating any concerns about the evening’s proceedings.
Nicole marveled at Davina’s ability to handle challenging clients, effectively asserting control while ensuring their satisfaction took a backseat without causing offense.
However, Nicole couldn’t shake off her concerns about the potential repercussions of Davina’s assertiveness, particularly with unsavory clients.
Aware of the risks, Nicole advised Davina to exercise discretion and discernment when accepting deals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity and not compromising their principles for every opportunity that arose.
Grateful for Nicole’s guidance, Davina redoubled her efforts, eager to prove her dedication to her employer.
Despite Davina’s exemplary performance, Nicole noticed certain inconsistencies that prompted her to consider terminating Davina’s employment.
It struck Nicole as peculiar that someone with Davina’s level of expertise would opt to work for a smaller company like the Lawrence Group.
Upon further investigation, Nicole unearthed Davina’s prior employment at the Schultz Group, shedding light on Davina’s decision to join the Lawrence Group despite her considerable talents.
The revelation offered clarity, dispelling any doubts about Davina’s motivations and highlighting the caliber of talent Nicole had managed to recruit.
Nicole was determined not to rely on Jarrod’s help and decided to address Davina’s potential resignation head-on.
However, Davina countered with conviction.
“Miss Lawrence, I joined your company to advance my career, not to coast along. True, I previously worked at the Schultz Group, and indeed, many prestigious companies were interested in my resume.
Yet, I left the Schultz Group to join the Lawrence Group because here, my abilities are recognized and valued. At larger firms, including the Schultz Group, the talent pool is vast, and my contributions would barely make a ripple.
In such mammoth corporations, not only are there individuals more skilled, but the competition and office politics can be overwhelming. After careful consideration, I chose the Lawrence Group. It wasn’t Mr. Schultz who directed me here.
When Schultz sought flexible employees, I wasn’t his primary pick. Others more adept at navigating corporate waters were chosen, but they hesitated to trade a secure position at a large firm for a role at a smaller, untested one. I did my homework on the Lawrence Group and stepped forward willingly. Mr. Schultz’s assistant recognized my genuine enthusiasm and selected me.
I’ve formally resigned from the Schultz Group. Mr. Schultz is no longer my boss. I am here because my work is appreciated, and I can enjoy a good living. So, please don’t push for my departure, and rest assured, I’m not naive—I know how to look after myself.”
Convinced by Davina’s earnest and reasoned explanation, Nicole discarded the idea of dismissing her from the company.
Nicole’s trust in her own judgment was bolstered by Davina’s honest and forthright demeanor.
Moreover, while Davina might have been shrewd, she hadn’t crossed any ethical or legal lines.
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Convinced of Davina’s commitment and recognizing her joy in the work, Nicole resolved to expand the Lawrence Group, creating more opportunities for Davina to flourish.
That evening, Davina managed the dinner event with aplomb.
As the evening drew to a close, Nicole began to feel unwell. Observing her discomfort, Davina quickly arranged transportation and escorted Nicole to the car before heading back to conclude the dinner.
During the ride home, Nicole’s condition worsened. Uncertain if she had simply caught a chill or something more serious, she felt an unsettling discomfort in her stomach and gripped the car seat, urging the driver to slow down.
Unfortunately, the driver, showing impatience, maneuvered the car erratically, exacerbating Nicole’s nausea.
Nicole was left speechless by the driver’s callous remark. Her frustration boiled over as she retorted, “Sir, I specifically asked you to slow down.”
he driver responded dismissively, “I’ve been driving like this for 20 years. Slowing down now just isn’t how I operate. If you’re not happy, you can get out.”
True to his word, the driver abruptly pulled over and left Nicole stranded on the side of the road.
Nicole was utterly stunned. She had never anticipated that the driver could exhibit such a dreadful temperament. This incident highlighted the necessity for her to hire a dedicated driver, especially now.
Given her pregnancy, driving herself wasn’t an option, and relying on taxis was proving to be more hassle than it was worth.
Just as Nicole reached for her phone to summon another taxi, a car unexpectedly pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down smoothly, and the driver peered out with a look of surprise. “Miss Lawrence? Is that you? What are you doing here?”
It was Rhett. Nicole was taken aback, never expecting to encounter him, especially in such an awkward predicament.