âI didnât give the contract to anyone.
Iâm as confused as you are.
But I promise to investigate and explain everything, okay?â
Nicoleâs response was a bitter, hollow laugh.
âAn explanation? Jarrod, I wonât believe in you anymore! Remember when Howe had me in detention? You said the same thing.
But what happened? I underwent another inhuman torture and even witnessed my fatherâs tragic end!â
This was the explanation Jarrod had promised! Nicole realized she should never have trusted him.
Jarrodâs heart clenched, a suffocating sensation overwhelming him.
He yearned to explain, but words failed him.
Nicole, meanwhile, had lost all expectation of an explanation.
She gazed skyward, seeing a world devoid of hope.
âJarrod, do you love to see me suffer?â A bitter smile crossed her lips.
âShall I make your wish come true?â
Jarrodâs face blanched as Nicole suddenly dashed toward the concrete flower bed.
Thump! The sound of impact echoed, her blood staining the flowers.
Jarrod, frozen momentarily, rushed to her, his mind a blank slate.
âNicole!â he cried, grasping her shoulders.
âHave you lost your mind?!â
Nicole, overcome with self-loathing, lacked the strength for self-harm.
Her face, marred by blood streaming from her temple, was a tragic yet haunting sight.
Jarrod was seized by panic.
âJarrod, Iâll give my life to you.
My lifeâ¦â Nicole murmured weakly.
Blood dripped down from her face.
Jarrodâs heart raced, his voice icy with fear.
âDonât be foolish, Nicole! Remember your mother.
If youâre gone, what will become of her?
Have you considered that?â
In Nicoleâs eyes, Jarrod was no less than a monster.
But if it would prevent her from harming herself, Jarrod was prepared to say anything.
Jarrodâs words struck Nicole like a venomous blade, piercing her heart.
He knew exactly how to manipulate her.
Her resolve to resist him weakened, knowing she still had someone she cared about in the world.
Her hatred for him intensified.
âIâll kill you, you monster!â Nicole seethed, her grip tightening around Jarrodâs neck.
Jarrod made no move to resist or defend himself, simply enduring her grasp.