Underneath Jarrodâs outward calm, a storm was raging within.
He waited until he had enough sway before stating his demands.
It was clear that the elderly Dora, whose vitality was weakening, wasnât sufficient for him to trap Nicole by his side.
Moreover, Doraâs health was more dangerous than Nicoleâs, and she might not last more than a few years.
He needed to secure something more enduring, something more firmly under his control.
Nicole knew clearly that if they became entangled once more, the outcome would likely not be good.
She had some regrets.
She should have married Roscoe earlier.
Roscoe had done so much for her, and the least she could do was spare him further regrets.
Just then, Jarrodâs phone rang.
After taking the call, his face turned serious.
He then came back into the ward and told Nicole, âRest well.
Iâll come see you later.
â
Nicole remained silent, acting as if she hadnât heard him.
Jarrod, not completely reassured, left her in the care of two nurses and warned, âNicole, donât try to run.
You know you canât escape.
Itâs better if you are obedient.
Weâll settle our accounts slowly.
â
He left a suffocating message before leaving.
âI will make you agree willingly.
â
Nicole stared blankly up at the ceiling.
When it was time to eat, the nurse came to feed her, and she obediently took her meal.
She knew she couldnât afford to weaken her condition further.
Before she could see Roscoe again, she decided to conserve her strength.
Jarrod handpicked the nurse, a woman in her forties, who bore a resemblance to Dora in her features.
Therefore, Nicole had always treated the nurse courteously, seeing her as a mother figure.
âMiss Lawrence, you ate well today.
Mr.
Schultz will be glad to hear that,â the nurse remarked cheerfully as she tidied up the bowl.
âDo you really need to report back to him about my meals?â Nicole asked softly.
âYes, he insists we report everything, no matter how unimportant.
â
Nicole chuckled lightly.
âDoes he also need to know how many times I use the restroom each day?â
âWell⦠Mr.
Schultz is just very concerned about you.
â The nurse noticed Nicoleâs bad mood and assumed she was upset.
After all, nobody enjoyed feeling confined.
âMiss Lawrence, itâs clear Mr.
Schultz really cares about you.
â The nurse, eager to please, praised Jarrod.
âWhen you were unconscious, Mr.
Schultz was right there by your side, not stepping away even once.
â
Nicole responded with a pathetic smile, âIf I were to die, he would just lose his toy.
â
This remark made the nurseâs heart sink.
Nicole was stunning, her beauty undiminished even in illness.
It was disheartening to hear her sound so defeated.
The nurse, who had only a son and no daughters, felt a maternal affection for Nicole and tried to offer some comfort.
âMiss Lawrence, living together means making compromises.
Itâs not just about his flaws.
Try to see his good sides.
â
Nicole responded distrustfully, âHis good sides?â
The nurse nodded affirmatively.
âYes, you should have seen how worried he was when you wouldnât wake up.
A man who truly doesnât care wouldnât have shown such concern.
Some men appear tough on the outside but are soft at heart.
If you focus more on the positive, life might become sweeter, and who knows, your health might even start to improve.
â
âBut he doesnât have any good sidesâ¦â Nicole whispered, her voice tinged with sorrow.
âI canât find anything good about him.
I wish he were dead.
â
The nurse hesitated to continue the conversation, shocked by the sentiment.
How had this seemingly perfect match come to wish death upon each other?