Nicole felt her palm tingling from the impact.
After all, she had delivered the slap with full force.
Blood streaked the corner of Jarrodâs mouth, and his eyes darkened.
With a dangerous gaze fixed on Nicole, he touched his lips with his tongue and licked away the blood.
Then, suddenly lowering his head, he let his lips trace the path where Nicoleâs tears had fallen.
Nicoleâs eyes glimmered in surprise.
She hadnât expected this madman to dare to ki*s her again.
She raised her hand high, but this time, he grabbed her wrist and blocked her.
On the swollen side of Jarrodâs face, his lips curled up into a sinister smirk.
âEvery slap you give me will be paid with a ki*s.
And for every ten slapsâ¦â As Jarrod spoke, he let his hand drift to the hickey on her collarbone and circled it.
With a chuckle, he finished, âIâll claim you!â
Nicoleâs pupils dilated for a moment and then gradually returned to calmness.
When a personâs emotions accumulated to a certain extent, the bodyâs self-defense mechanism would kick in, shutting down those emotions like pressing a switch.
To Nicole, showing any emotion to Jarrod, even anger, felt like a waste.
She closed her eyes.
When she next spoke, her tone was vacant, as if her soul had left her.
âJarrod, people die every minute in this world.
Why arenât you one of them?â
A hollow chuckle left Jarrodâs lips.
âRemember this well.
You will always be mine.
Even if I die, Iâll make sure you remember me for a lifetime.
â
After saying that, Jarrod scooped Nicole up in his arms and carried her back to the bed.
Then, he went and fetched a burn ointment.
While applying the ointment on her scalded hand, he coldly remarked, âDo you think Iâll let you go because youâre doing something stupid like this?â
âs BunnyBookery Now that their relationship had reached an impasse, Jarrod was ready to go to any lengths necessary to keep her in his grasp.
The struggle just now had drained too much of Nicoleâs strength.
She was too exhausted to have this conversation with him now.
Staring blankly out the window, she responded in a tone devoid of any emotion, âIâm tired.
Can you leave?â
Jarrodâs hand that was applying the ointment paused.
He stared at her face for a few moments.
Then, ultimately choosing not to say anything, he left.
With a heavy heart, Nicole finally fell into a deep slumber.
Amid the night, a sense of thirst and restlessness enveloped Nicole.
Out of nowhere, a comforting presence eased against her back, placing a pillow to support her and offering a sip of warm water.
The moisture on her throat provided a newfound clarity and soothing comfort.
A gentle hand delicately swept the corners of Nicoleâs mouth with a soft handkerchief.
Still somewhat drowsy, Nicole wrestled with the effort to open her eyes, gradually bringing the manâs face into focus.
âRoscoe?â
Nicole was surprised to see Roscoe at her bedside in the middle of the night.
Since their encounter at the hotel, they hadnât met or had any contact with each other.
âYeah.
â Roscoeâs response lacked any discernible emotion.