Nicole, a puppet in her agony, wanted to end the torment.

Perspiration dripped from her face, each drop hitting the floor.

Nicole longed to escape the unbearable torment. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she struggled to say, “I'm yours..."

Jarrod's smile was one of twisted satisfaction.

As he lost himself to his madness, he asked deeply, "You don't want me to marry, right?"

At his words, Nicole's mind snapped back to clarity. What had she just said? Had she lost her senses? And Jarrod, what the hell was wrong with him?

From the words coming out of his mouth, it seemed he was suggesting he'd call off the wedding if she asked. What a freak! Was he out of his mind?

Nicole's eyes turned icy as she replied dispassionately, “I wish you a happy marriage. May you have a baby of your own as soon as possible."

"Ouch..." Nicole couldn't suppress her cry of pain.

She was certain Jarrod did it on purpose...

Once he was done, Jarrod left her on the floor and headed for a shower.

Nicole, curled on the floor, writhed in agony. The stomach pain was unbearable, preventing her from standing.

She attempted to stand, pain radiating through her body. Her heart felt gripped by an unseen force, threatening a heart attack at any moment.

Recently, these symptoms had become more frequent, barely manageable with her special painkillers.

She couldn't afford to meet her demise before her father's surgery.

Struggling to the bedside table, she retrieved a bottle of painkillers and swallowed them dry.

But her parched throat resisted the tablets.

As she reached for water, Jarrod loomed over her.

“What did you just take?" His stare was predatory.

Just as Nicole was about to speak, Jarrod snatched the medicine bottle from her hand. He then forcefully removed the tablets from her mouth.