Choose? Nicole's face twisted in torment. She couldn't abandon either!

Struggling to stay calm, her voice trembled, “Jarrod, please, let me keep this baby. I really have cancer. My life is fading. I want my kid to ease my parents' agony after my death. Please, take me to run for tests and you'll see I'm seriously ill. We can try different treatments and consult various doctors. You'll see the truth then."

Jarrod sneered, his tone laced with disdain.

“I'm impressed. Your affection for this baby seems deep. You should go so far as to pretend to have cancer to keep him!"

Nicole shook her head, her eyes brimming with honesty.

"No, that's not it, I haven't lied to you!"

“Do you know that man named Kieran?" Jarrod cut in impatiently.

“Yes, but..."

Before she could finish, Jarrod interjected coldly, "Was he your ex-boyfriend?"

Nicole hesitated, then nodded.

"Yes, he was."

A smirk crossed Jarrod's face.

"Get out of the car now!"

He was determined not to be tricked by her again, unwilling to be made a fool of.

Desperate, Nicole clutched at Jarrod's arm.

"Hear me out. There was nothing between Kieran and me. This child can't be his!"

Jarrod's lips twisted into a scornful smile.

“If not his, then someone else's. Either way, it's an illegitimate child.”

The thought of an illegitimate child being born was unbearable to him, an insult to his dignity.

Just then, Alec had confirmed a disturbing truth.