Jarrod took the document and read through it.
The terms Nicole had laid out for keeping the child were similar to Jarrodâs earlier proposal.
Her conditions included finalizing their divorce within a week of the childâs birth, leaving no room for delay.
It was clear that Nicole had no attachment to their calculated marriage beyond the child.
Apart from this, Nicole insisted on living in her own apartment until the child was born.
The setup would grant her freedom, and it ensured that Jarrod wouldnât be able to interfere in her life, and that included her visiting Austin.
Their relationship would be practically divorced, with only the paperwork pending after the childâs birth.
To ensure Jarrod wouldnât back out, Nicole insisted on involving lawyers and notarizing the agreement.
She was all too familiar with Jarrodâs tendency to renege on promises.
Nicoleâs choice to keep the child wasnât just about Jarrodâs proposal.
Her motherâs better condition and her own change of heart had led her to this choice.
The once unwanted child gradually turned into images of a small, precious, life.
Indeed, the child was innocent.
It was the adults who were at fault.
And so it wouldnât be right for the child to pay for their mistakes.
Jarrodâs lips curled into a bitter, self-mocking smile.
It was such a one-sided agreement, and yet, he had no choice but to accept.
He had brought this upon himself.
Selfishly, he wanted to keep the baby as it was the connection between them, and this was the only way.
Jarrod signed the document swiftly and said, âRest assured, once the child is born, I will set you free.
â
Jarrod genuinely believed letting Nicole go would also be freeing himself.
He would spend the rest of his life protecting her and their children.
It was how things should be.
It was just that his realization came too late.
âIf thereâs nothing else, letâs leave it at that,â Nicole said as she prepared to leave first.
Jarrod watched as she walked out the door, feeling as if his heart sank further with her every step.
Outside, as Rhett went to get the car, Doreen suddenly appeared in front of Nicole.
âNicole!â Doreen yelled.
Her clothes were disheveled, and she looked oddly unkempt.
Even her expression had a strange feeling to it.
But the worst part was the purple bruises littered her skin, telltale signs of abuse and mistreatment.
Nicoleâs brows furrowed.
She didnât know what Doreen had gone through.
She stood still, waiting to see what Doreen was up to.
âI hate you! Youâve ruined my life!â Doreen screamed, echoing Hallieâs words.
Nicole couldnât help but let out a cold laugh.
âWhy is it always someone elseâs fault when something bad happens to you? Thatâs pretty convenient, never blaming yourself for the consequences of your own actions.
â
Nicole was baffled by how Hallie and Doreen thought.
No wonder they werenât capable of empathy.
She continued, âJust because Roscoe didnât love you, you resorted to all kinds of dirty means.
You went as far as conspiring with Miguel to drug and trap Roscoe.
Do you really not know how that wedding came about?â
As far as Nicole knew, Doreen was not only aware of the scheme, but was also a part of it.
Nicole couldnât quite get it.
Did Doreen truly love Roscoe? Or was it just some sort of deranged and twisted obsession? Whatever the answer was, it was terrifying.
A love that would rather destroy than let go had no happy ending.
âDo you know that you had almost killed Roscoe? After you two got married, not once had I talked to Roscoe.
Everything you did was out of fear that your wrongdoings would be discovered.
Stop lying to yourself.
You canât hide your filthy deeds under noble pretenses!â
Nicole laid bare all Doreenâs crimes without holding back.
Doreen and Hallie were two peas in a pod, sharing the same traits.
At her words, Doreen turned hysterical.
âYouâre lying! I love Roscoe.
If it werenât for you, he would have loved me! So what if I manipulated him into marrying me? No one else can love him as much as I do.
You have no right to question that!â
Nicole chuckled sarcastically and questioned, âYour so-called love is actually hurting Roscoe.
What kind of love does that?â