He felt a burning desire to erase the evidence of her infidelity.

Nicole's vision blurred, her chest tight, her neck throbbing. She felt disconnected from her own body, overwhelmed by the realization that Jarrod might actually try to kill her.

Was this how her story would end? Would her unborn child share her fate?

Her consciousness waned, tears spilling over her flushed cheeks, tracing paths down to Jarrod's bloodied hand.

Nicole had fought to conceal any sign of weakness, refusing to cry in front of this merciless man.

Yet, in her final moments of consciousness, she couldn't hold back her tears.

It was a cruel irony that after struggling so hard to survive, she might die with her name sullied.

Her last wish was to never cross paths with Jarrod in another life...

Then, abruptly, the crushing pressure on her throat was gone.

Jarrod's face, icy and unyielding, bore an expression of contempt.

"Death would be too kind for you."

Nicole gasped for air, her sudden inhales triggering a fit of coughs.

Each cough wracked her body painfully as if tearing her inside out.

Then, a mouthful of blood, dark with clots, spilled from Nicole's lips, a sign of serious internal injuries.

That single cough seemed to sap all her strength, leaving her trembling.

Jarrod's heart skipped a beat, his hand instinctively reaching out to steady her.

But before he could touch her, Kieran, bloodied and battered, Lunged forward.

"Nicole, are you alright? Did our baby get hurt?" Kieran cried out in concern.

A murderous glint flickered in Jarrod's eyes.

With a swift kick, he sent Kieran crashing against the wall.