âNicole is backâ¦â Their voices were filled with warmth and happiness.
Another wave of memories came flooding back.
She remembered her father in his study, the lamp burning late into the night, and her mother bringing out a bowl of soup that went mostly untouched.
Her mother stood there, worry etched across her face.
This was around the time Jarrod had started his attacks on the Lawrence family.
Back then, Nicole believed that as long as they stayed united, they could handle anything together.
In the worst case, they might go bankrupt, but she could find work and help support her parents.
But she hadnât considered there could be a fate worse than that.
Before long, her father ended up in the hospital, and her mother, who once seemed gentle and caring, was now staying up all night to care for him and snapping at Nicole under the strain of the rumors and her fatherâs illness.
When Dora slapped Nicole, it hit Dora just as hard.
She couldnât comprehend how her daughter could end up being someoneâs mistress.
Her spirit was crushed, and she couldnât bear to face Wesson in the hospital bed.
Sensing the looming disaster, Wesson called Nicole the night before.
âNicole, if I donât make it, you have to stay strong.
Take care of yourself and look after your mother.
â
Nicole broke down in tears.
âDad, donât say that.
Weâll be fine.
â
âs BunnyBookery Even if we have to let the company go, we can pay off our debts little by little until theyâre gone.
â Then, she said naively, âThe three of us can live simply.
Weâll be together, and we can handle anythingâ¦â
The next day, Nicole found her fatherâs body lying in a pool of blood, his skull crushed and his leg missing.
The once-pristine golden floor that represented her familyâs legacy was drenched in blood.
With her father gone, it felt like the world had come crashing down.
Nicole had vowed to take care of her mother, but she ultimately failed.
The sight of Dora weighed on Nicole like chains that kept her tightly bound.
Jarrod placed a hand on Nicoleâs shoulder, trying to offer comfort.
âAh!â Nicole shrieked.
To her, that hand was stained with her familyâs blood.
Jarrodâs hand hovered in the air, his face contorted with frustration.
Nicoleâs disgust and hatred toward him were deeply rooted.
Nicole failed to understand why Jarrod couldnât just leave her alone.
âItâs not good for you to be so scared of me, especially since weâre going to have to live together,â Jarrod said with a twisted smile, his eyes darkened with a menacing glare.
At his words, Nicole scoffed.
âHave you ever seen enemies live together, Jarrod? Youâre out of your mind.
â
Jarrod replied icily, âItâs a miracle that Iâve managed to keep my sanity all these years.
â
In truth, he felt he had already lost it long ago.
After Nicole sneaked away, he spent many sleepless nights overwhelmed with anger and fear, dreading that she might vanish from his world for good.