Pinned against the headboard, Nicole winced as Jarrodâs grip tightened.
âJarrod, please⦠Let go⦠Letâs talk calmlyâ¦â
But calmness was the furthest thing from Jarrodâs mind.
Every mention of Roscoe fueled a raging inferno within him, a primal urge to tear Roscoe Limb from Limb.
âJarrodâ¦â Nicole struggled to make him understand.
âIt was your bodyguard who abandoned Roscoe on that day.
Roscoe was drugged and defenseless.
Was I supposed to stand by and watch him die? I never intended for you to be harmed.
I simply believed you were better equipped to avoid danger than Roscoe was.
â
Nicoleâs explanation seemed to work, and Jarrodâs anger began to wane.
Yet, his heart, hardened by her repeated aloofness, could only soften ever so slightly at her words.
âYou have learned to lie for him now?â Jarrod sneered, his voice laced with sarcasm.
âIâm not lyingâ¦â Nicole implored.
âReally?â Jarrodâs lips twisted into a bitter smile.
âYou expect me to believe that? You claim you didnât wish harm upon me, yet you willingly carried out Jamieâs orders, didnât you?â
Nicole froze with disbelief etched across her face.
So, Jarrod knew everything.
He was aware of her deal with Jamie.
He knew Jamie was still alive, disguised as a barmaid after the plastic surgery, and plotting.
And yet, he said nothing.
He merely observed her.
A shiver raced down Nicoleâs spine.
Jarrod always seemed to hold the reins, staying one step ahead of everyone else.
âI didnât drug you,â Nicole explained.
âJamieâs poison is tucked away in the third drawer of our bedroom.
You can go and check it yourself.
â
Nicole had never harbored any intention of drugging Jarrod.
She knew better than to place her trust in Jamie, a person whose motives she had deciphered all too well.
Jamie and the mysterious people behind her had their schemes in motion.
Nicole wasnât about to be ensnared in their schemes easily.
She only agreed to bide her time and lull Jamie into a false sense of security, all the while aiming to uncover the mastermind behind it all.
Nicole planned to unveil the true identity of the mastermind and their motives.
Jarrodâs expression remained stoic.
Her confession did not surprise him.
âSo, you didnât drug because you didnât fully trust Jamie, right?â
Nicole didnât say anything.
Jarrod was too sharp for his own good.
Trying to fool him was a nearly impossible feat.
However, she harbored no intention of deceiving him.
The truth was always a bitter pill to swallow.
âYou are right.
I didnât trust Jamie.
But on that day in the valley, I genuinely didnât anticipate you getting hurt.
With your skills, I figured you could avoid it.
I never imagined Alec would end up injured trying to protect youâ¦â
Nicole wasnât lying.
Fate had played a cruel hand.
That day, she hadnât wished harm on anyone.
But destiny had its own agenda.
Alecâs injury had thrown everything into disarray Jarrod looked at her and asked, âApart from that day, have you ever wished for my demise?â
âYes,â Nicole replied without hesitation.
Nicoleâs expression remained composed as she spoke.
âI understand that many issues between us, including the grievances involving our families, might stem from misunderstandings.
Yet, even if they were just misunderstandings, the pain they caused was real.
â
Nicole couldnât simply erase the past hurts just because Jarrod had made some changes.
Doing so would diminish her, as if she deserved all the suffering.
âJarrod, do you really think I can just forget? The best thing you could do is to let me go.
It would be better never to see me again, rather than trying to keep me tethered to your side.
â Nicole went straight to the point.