After a prolonged silence, Jarrod was the first to speak.
âYou were correct.
I knew you held the original video, but I chose not to intervene.
â
When handing over the video to Wayne, Jarrod had secretly hoped Nicole would decide against releasing it.
Its disclosure could drag the Schultz Group into the fray, given their close ties with the Hampton family, and Doreenâs involvement only complicated matters further.
Regrettably, Jarrod had underestimated Nicoleâs resolve.
It was evident that, to Nicole, his influence and the fate of the Schultz Group carried negligible weight.
âWhy should I conceal their wrongdoings and let them escape accountability?â Nicole pondered, her emotions surfacing as tears welled up and her body shook.
âDo human lives hold no value to you?â she asked.
âI donât care about others,â Jarrod responded.
His face remained impassive, his eyes showing only coldness.
Nicole braced herself, expecting a rebuke, and waited in tense silence.
But instead, Jarrod said, âBut itâs different because itâs you.
Iâll turn a blind eye and let you handle it your way.
â It was as if he was acknowledging that she was special to him.
However, Nicole felt no warmth from his words.
She only sensed hypocrisy.
If not for Jarrodâs actions, Vicki would not have pursued her so relentlessly, and neither Austin nor Kamilah would have been placed in jeopardy.
Jarrod continued, âIâm aware that youâre holding onto a lot of pain, so Iâm giving you the space to express it.
But this is only because you are my wife.
I donât want you to bear any suffering silently.
â
His words served as a reminder that such liberties were reserved for his wife alone.
Otherwise, she would be powerless.
It appeared that Vickiâs accusations had merit.
Their relationship was transactional.
Nicole was leveraging her marital status to gain leverage, whereas Jarrodâs motives in using Nicole remained unclear.
There was no genuine love between them.
Furthermore, Jarrod didnât strike one as a man capable of Lifelong devotion.
Nicole scoffed.
âSo, I should be grateful to you for this âprivilege.
â Are you trying to mold me into another Vicki or Doreen?â
âYou are you,â Jarrod asserted, meeting her gaze steadily.
âYou donât need to become anyone else.
As long as youâre with me, you donât have to please anyone else.
â
Nicole found herself at a los for words.
Jarrodâs demeanor had changed lately.
He was more vocal than usual, and it was becoming grating.
She muttered, âStill, Vickiâs one of your women.
Youâve been entangled with her for years, and yet you seem indifferent to her languishing in jail.
Such a refined woman, likely sheâs never even set foot in a police station before.
â
Upon hearing Nicoleâs words, a chill swept over Jarrodâs handsome features.
âYou know I donât love Vicki,â he stated flatly.
Jarrodâs engagement to Vicki had been a mere reaction to the devastation Nicole had inflicted upon him, a decision born from interest rather than affection.
Regarding the Hampton family, Jarrod no longer felt any obligation toward them.
The remnants of any past guilt had dissolved.
He was not their protector, nor did he wish to continue mitigating the repercussions of Vickiâs and her brotherâs reckless behaviors.
Jarrod had grown weary of dealing with their foolish antics.
Vicki, on the other hand, hadnât always been like this.
Perhaps the strain of unreciprocated love had indeed transformed her.
Some could heal from their wounds while others were driven to desperate measures.
In many respects, Vicki and Jarrod were similar.
They were both acting out of desperation in matters of love.
Nicole observed Jarrod with a faint, mocking smile.
âIt makes sense.
Youâre inconsistent and promiscuous.
The easily obtained never seem to interest you, do they?â
Jarrodâs gaze shifted slowly back to Nicole, his eyes momentarily flaring with irritation.
He had arrived with the intent to remain composed, determined not to be agitated by her provocations.
However, Nicoleâs cutting remarks sliced through his restraint.
âCorrect,â Jarrod responded icily.
âI do enjoy a challenge.
â