Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Jarrod warily replied, “What game? Just don’t hurt Nicole, and you can take my life instead.”
“Don’t be hasty,” Rhett said, laying out the rules. “I’ll ask a question. Answer correctly, and you will advance safely. Answer incorrectly, and you must decide. Either I hurt Nicole, or you step on these bear traps.”
“I’ll take the traps,” Jarrod declared immediately, willing to sacrifice himself to keep Nicole safe.
Rhett chuckled. “Ah, Mr. Schultz, ever the romantic.”
“Let’s get started. do you remember the name of the girl who died in your car accident six years ago?”. asked Rhett.
Jarrod was stunned, not knowing the answer. Prioritizing Nicole’s safety, he stepped onto the bear traps. The traps closed on his legs, and blood began to spill.
Despite his agony, Jarrod maintained his composure and replied, “I don’t know.”
Rhett, tightening his grip on the knife, sneered, “Her name was Frida Chadwick. Obviously, someone who hogged all the medical attention wouldn’t remember that.”
Jarrod, through the stinging pain, explained, “It was only later that I learned of the loss of a little girl. At the time, emergency services prioritized me because of my severe injuries. Her critical injuries went unnoticed then, but I indemnified her family.”
“You think I’d believe you?” shouted Rhett, his expression unhinged. “You survived and my girlfriend died, ignored by everyone!”.
Rhett’s tone became unhinged as he abandoned the game. “You’re all heartless! You all deserve to die!”
In his fury, Rhett raised his knife, aiming it at Nicole’s abdomen. Jarrod reacted instantly, intercepting the knife with his leg and shoving Nicole to safety as he struggled with Rhett.
Rhett, unharmed, soon gained the upper hand over Jarrod. At that moment, Nicole, overwhelmed by contractions and her water breaking, realized she was about to give birth.
Rhett, with venom in his eyes, sneered, “My girlfriend died along with the unborn baby. Do you think your child will be born safe and sound?”
Rhett advanced toward Nicole, but Jarrod clung to him desperately.
Rhett responded by repeatedly kicking Jarrod, leaving him bruised and bloody. Nicole, in agony, could only scream helplessly.
Seeing Jarrod still clinging to him, Rhett pulled out a makeshift pistol and pointed it at Jarrod. Jarrod, unable to dodge due to cheating wounds, clung to Rhett and yelled to Nicole, “Run!”
Rhett fiercely declared, “None of you will get out of here alive!”.
At that critical moment, a loud boom echoed through the room. Filled with adrenaline, Nicole broke free of her restraints and hit Rhett’s head with a brick.
The bullet missed and the makeshift pistol slipped from Rhett’s hands. Clutching his head, Rhett tried to retrieve the improvised gun, but Jarrod grabbed it first and aimed it at Rhett.
The situation was reversed, and Rhett unexpectedly fell to his knees.
With a sinister grin, Rhett looked up and challenged Jarrod, “You dare to kill me?”
Rhett pointed toward a distant camera, saying, “I have that camera to live stream the scene here. If you kill me, you will be branded a murderer. I’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness. What can you do to me? If I fail to kill you today, I will try again. But first I will attack you. Then I’ll go after your son, then your unborn child, then Nicole. Only after that will I come for you. got it?”
Rhett’s chilling words were steeped in madness, continually provoking Jarrod. “You can never kill me, but I can get to everyone you love. I’m not just a patient. I’m a genius. I can disguise myself and infiltrate the lives of your loved ones. You think you can protect them forever? I’ll make sure they always live in fear,” Rhett mocked with a maniacal laugh.
Jarrod replied firmly, his resolve unwavering, “You won’t get the chance.”
Jarrod was determined not to let his family live under the shadow of fear. His finger squeezed the trigger. “Bang!”
(END)
In the courtroom, the judge announced the verdict. “Jarrod Schultz is found guilty of murder. However, given his complex relationship with the victim and the evidence presented by witnesses, he is sentenced to twenty years in prison.”
“Sir…” Still stunned from testifying against Rhett, Alec tearfully called out to Jarrod.
Behind Alec, Nicole held her two-month-old daughter, teary-eyed but calm. Seeing the little girl wrapped in the tiny pink blanket, Jarrod was pleased. He left no message for Nicole, simply turning to Alec to say, “Take care of them.”
Alec, who knew exactly who Jarrod was referring to, nodded. “Sir, I will. I’ll be here when you get out.”
Fifteen years later, at the prison gates, Jarrod emerged, dressed in the same clothes he wore when he was incarcerated, still carrying himself with dignity. Thanks to his good behavior, he had earned early release. The years had marked Jarrod’s face with lines that gave him a distinguished and sophisticated look.
Conor and Alec waited outside. When Jarrod appeared, Alec ran to him, hugging him tightly and crying. “Sir, it’s been hard on you!”.
The towering, one-armed Alec burst into tears like a child.
“Sir…” Conor lit a cigarette and offered it to Jarrod.
Jarrod took it, took a puff and joked, “I’ve become quite the tailor. I’ll sew you a suit.”
Alec was speechless. He blinked, but Jarrod’s comment instantly lifted the heavy atmosphere.
Alec, laughing through his tears, said, “Sir, I’m looking forward to it.”
Jarrod let out a chuckle and playfully replied, “Dream on.”
Looking away, Jarrod realized that, other than Alec and Conor, no one else had come to greet him. Feeling a mixture of disappointment and relief, he thought it was probably for the best. After all, it wasn’t a joyous event, and it was best to keep it out of his children’s eyes.
Conor signaled, and the driver quickly pulled the car closer. “Get in, please, Mr. Schultz,” Conor said respectfully.
Jarrod paused and corrected him, “Stop calling me Mr. Schultz.”
While in prison, Jarrod had hired an attorney to finalize their divorce, making sure Nicole received divorce papers. The agreement transferred Jarrod’s assets, including all of his businesses, to Nicole. Now, he owned nothing.
Conor, understanding, nodded and said, “Understood.”
Alec added, “I don’t care. I’ll keep addressing you like this. I’m disabled now and you have to help me earn a living.”
Jarrod perked up when he saw that Alec was in a better mood.
When Alec turned around, Jarrod noticed that the back of Alec’s suit was covered with playful stickers. Pausing, he peeled one off.
Alec, seeing the sticker on Jarrod’s hand, chuckled. “It’s Kylie’s handiwork. She loves to sneak up and stick them on me. She waits for me to tickle her.”
Kylie, Jarrod’s daughter, was born the day of the kidnapping. Alec’s change to a more cheerful character was due in large part to Kylie. Unlike the quiet Austin, Kylie was vibrant and charming, and delighted everyone around her.
Alec had kept his word, always taking care of Nicole and their two children. In time, any past conflict between Alec and Nicole dissolved.
Jarrod glanced at the piggy sticker before quietly tucking it into his pocket. Alec knew how much Jarrod missed his children. Although Jarrod had refused to have visitors in prison, not wanting his children to see him in those conditions, he had often thought of them over the years.
“Please take the car,” Alec said, breaking the silence.
Once Jarrod was settled in the car, Alec began to fill him in on recent events.
“The family has been very supportive of Miss Lawrence, and her children have become good friends with theirs. Mr. Stevens has taken very good care of Kylie and Austin.
And Ms. Lawrence’s brother, Erick, married her maid’s daughter, Elin, eight years ago. It caused quite a stir, but now they are happy and have a daughter. Even Landen has come to his senses ??remember Agent Ethel Castro, who was close to Ms. Lawrence? It turns out that she is actually Miss Lawrence’s biological sister.
They found out when Miss Lawrence’s mother needed a blood transfusion, and Ethel was a perfect match. A DNA test later confirmed that Ethel was the sister Miss Lawrence had long believed to be dead…”
Jarrod listened intently.
The car pulled up in front of a luxurious hotel. It looked like they had arranged a welcome party for Jarrod. However, Jarrod said, “No need, I just want to rest.”
Alec, more assertive than usual, said, “You can rest later. Just see what’s in store for you.”
Conor added, “Yes, Schultz, I’d be honored to have you join us.”
Finally, Jarrod got out of the car. As he entered the reserved room, he was greeted by a crowd of familiar faces.
Just then, a young woman ran up to Jarrod, and he instinctively caught her.
Looking up at Jarrod with wide eyes, the girl asked, “Are you my daddy?”
Seeing her strong resemblance to him, Jarrod was stunned. Kylie continued, “Mommy said you made a mistake and had to go away for a while. Now you’re back because you’ve learned your lesson. So you’re my daddy, right?”.
“Yes,” Jarrod replied, his voice shaking with emotion.
Kylie hugged him and said, “Welcome back, Dad.”
Kylie pointed to a young man nearby and said, “My brother and I are here to welcome you.”
Jarrod’s eyes welled up with tears.
Austin walked over and said, “Welcome, Dad.”
It was evident that Nicole had done a wonderful job raising the children.
Cornell and Luis stepped forward, hugging Jarrod, “Welcome, brother.”
Audrey smiled at his three sons, saying encouragingly, “Say hello to Mr. Schultz.”
The three young men stepped forward to greet Jarrod.
Then, Nicole approached slowly, looking at Jarrod, and murmured, “Mr. Schultz, it’s been a long time.”
Seeing Nicole as stunning and charming as ever, Jarrod felt his tears threaten to well up. Fifteen years, over five thousand days, and the woman he had thought about endlessly stood before him.
Jarrod’s lips trembled slightly as he replied, “It’s been a long time, Nicole.”
—The end.