Her time to negotiate was running short.

Without waiting for Jarrod's response, she made her demand clear, “Promise me you won't harm my parents. I'll face the consequences of my actions, but leave them out of it!"

Nicole was prepared to face whatever Jarrod had in store for her as long as her parents were safe.

She was aware that with her life fading, her moment of final rest was nearing.

It was only a matter of enduring more pain and suffering until then.

Yet, in a way, this pain served as a vivid reminder of her being alive.

Silence enveloped the room.

Jamie, tears streaming down her face, whimpered, “Jarrod, it hurts..

Finally, Jarrod, through clenched teeth, agreed, “Fine. You have my word."

Nicole, hearing this, felt a wave of relief, but her body was reaching its limit.

She cautiously loosened her grip.

Jamie, noticing Nicole's weakening hold, saw an opportunity.

Her eyes gleamed with a sudden insight, as a sinister plan swiftly formed in her thoughts. Suddenly, the fork plunged into Jamie's neck.

It happened so fast that nobody quite caught how it occurred, not even Nicole.

Jamie clutched her neck, screaming.

“Jarrod, she's going to kill me.

Then, she collapsed to the floor.

"Jamie!" Jarrod rushed to Jamie, his expression panicked. In a swift move, he kicked Nicole in the chest with a forceful blow.

Caught off guard, Nicole was thrown backward, crashing against a flower rack.

The flowerpots shattered noisily on the ground.