Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
After a moment of silence, Nicole said, “Do you know what’s the hardest thing in the world, Audrey? Cecilia will always be Cornell’s muse, his everlasting solace. Even if he shows concern for you now, the moment something happens to Cecilia, you’ll have to graciously step aside. Because in his heart, you’ll always be second choice.”
It was the same story with Jarrod and Jamie. Despite Jamie’s tarnished reputation, Jarrod still expended effort and time to shield her. And it all boiled down to one reason.
After their meal, the driver took Audrey home, while Nicole planned to head back alone.
Soon enough, she realized she’d left her purse behind. Returning quickly to retrieve it, she also made a quick detour to the restroom.
That was when she spotted a familiar figure not far from her.
Jarrod and Jamie had also chosen this place for a meal. They Looked like they had just arrived and were on their way to a chamber.
As they moved in her direction, Nicole lowered her gaze, her nerves getting the better of her. She nearly collided with Jarrod.
“Be careful!” His refined voice filled her ears.
Jarrod steadied Nicole by the arm, his thumb caressing it briefly before letting her go.
Nicole’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t fathom why Jarrod would touch her so openly, especially in front of his fianc?e.
Gathering herself, she managed to say, “Thank you.”
With that, she headed into the restroom.
Jamie glanced at both Jarrod and Nicole, then remarked in a tone audible to Nicole, “You two enjoy playing dangerous games, don’t you?”
Frozen, Nicole’s complexion drained of color.
Nicole looked rather refreshing with the short hair.
Jarrod’s eyes left Nicole, his voice still smooth but now icy.
“You understand how it is. We men find a certain appeal in wild women.”
These words stung like a slap to Nicole’s face.
With a radiant smile, Jamie said no more and ascended the stairs with Jarrod.
In the restroom, Nicole splashed her face with chilly water as tears escaped her eyes.
Nicole wasn’t downcast. She just felt she’d disgraced the Lawrence family. In fact, news that she had selflessly put herself on the line to save her family spread out.
Rumors had it that for the sake of the Lawrence family’s interests, she would go to any Lengths.
Just then, the bathroom door swung open.
Grabbing her purse, Nicole prepared to exit after wiping her face.
She turned around and found herself staring at Jarrod. Surprise left her momentarily speechless.
Jarrod’s intense gaze filled her with dread. Her mind froze, and she wished she could flee on the spot.
In the next instant, Jarrod seized her wrist and secured the door with his other hand.
“What are you doing?” Nicole questioned, her voice tinged with fear.
Arching an eyebrow, Jarrod maneuvered her toward the sink.
Lifting her hands, he looked at her disdainfully.
“You deliberately collided with me. You were asking for this, weren’t you?”
Nicole’s heart raced as panic coursed through her veins. She might have been bold, but flirting with Jarrod in front of his fianc?e was out of the question.
Given Jamie’s notorious temper, she felt she was asking for trouble by entertaining that thought.
Nicole tried to push Jarrod away firmly and stammered, “No, I didn’t, Mr. Schultz. Your fianc?e is here. If she catches us…”
But Jarrod had already pushed her clothes up.
Nicole shivered and took a deep breath to steady herself.
He leaned in closer, bit her, and said with a sneer, “Are you afraid of losing face now?”
Nicole bit her lip, desperately trying not to make a sound, and whispered, “Aren’t you afraid of upsetting Miss Powell?”
“Why don’t you let out a scream and see if I care?” Jarrod’s response was nonchalant as ever.
A voice from outside made Nicole tense up, and Jarrod noticed.
He sneered and said, “Seems like you are truly afraid.”
“Please don’t do it here,” Nicole pleaded softly, only to receive a scoff in response.
“Then how about the hallway or the lobby?”
Nicole struggled to find an answer, fearing that Jarrod might actually follow through on his daring proposition.
He seemed utterly fearless, devoid of any moral restraint.
Jarrod seemed to relish her silence. He gripped the back of her neck and turned her over, forcing her to meet his gaze in a highly humiliating position.
Then, in a cold tone, he asked, “Why did you have your hair cut?”
He was referring to his promise of marrying Nicole when her hair reached her waist.
Although he now viewed her with disdain and had no intention of marrying her, Jarrod detested it when others broke an agreement first.
He believed that he should be the one to break it.
He was the only one who could crush her beneath his feet, as opposed to her current tactic of provocation with the haircut.
Nicole swayed unsteadily and stammered, “It was troublesome.”
Maintaining her long hair was no longer a priority for her, but that wasn’t the main reason.
Nicole didn’t intend to provoke Jarrod. She had long given up on any hopes or fantasies.
“Troublesome?”
Jarrod snorted coldly, his grip on Nicole’s arm tightening. He pressed his knee against her, causing her to arch her back and grimace in pain. Yet, Nicole Looked more alluring in such a position.
Jarrod was somewhat aroused. He gritted his teeth and said, “I think you are the trouble that needs to be solved.”
Nicole could sense that Jarrod was deliberately trying to humiliate her. She shot him a glare in the mirror and urged, “Could you please hurry? I can’t afford to provoke Miss Powell. If she finds out, I’ll be the one in trouble.”
Jarrod couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
“Why should I care about you?”
He wouldn’t feel at ease until she suffered.
Nicole knew this devil wouldn’t listen to reason. ALL she could do was grit her teeth and endure it.
However, today, he seemed exceptionally ruthless, as if he had been suppressing his anger for over two decades, and now he was ready to unleash it all on her.
Seeing the pain etched on her face in the mirror, he showed no mercy.
He said coldly, “You would better be an obedient little dog and remember who your master is.”
His words cut through her like a knife, an insult that felt like her face was being peeled away.
Nicole’s complexion turned ashen.
Suddenly, there was a deafening noise as the bathroom door was slammed violently.
The door slammed shut with a resounding thud, indicating that the person on the other side wasn’t trying to enter the bathroom but had discovered something.
Nicole’s entire body tensed like a startled deer caught in headlights.
In the next moment, a sharp female voice pierced the air.
“Jarrod, get out!”
Nicole was completely taken aback, her body quivering.
Jarrod, however, remained unfazed, his expression merciless as he watched her quiver.
The pounding on the door came to an abrupt halt.
Then, in an instant, Jamie’s sharp voice resounded, “Break it down for me!”