Jarrod simply smirked, his voice low and husky, saying, "The price of poking me."

Anger blazed in Nicole's eyes as she attempted to slap him, but Jarrod seized her hand tightly, guiding it toward his wound.

He pressed her hand, repeatedly pushing it inwards. A cold and impassive expression settled over his handsome features.

"Does this satisfy you?" His tone remained eerily calm, yet beneath the surface lurked a madness, destructive and suffocating.

Jarrod's wound reopened, and Nicole's hand now was covered in his blood.

Nicole gasped for breath, saying, “You... You are insane!"

Jarrod appeared to be devoid of any sense of pain as he forcefully pressed her hand on his wound as though he intended to insert her hand into the freshly stitched wound and extract the heart within.

“Despise me? Then let your hatred flow. Hurt me more!" Jarrod's eyes sparkled ominously as he smiled and said, “Babe, it's unfair if I'm the only one having fun."

Nicole was engulfed in sheer terror. Jarrod had lost his mind! The overpowering scent of blood made her feel nauseous.

Jarrod's gaze was pinned on Nicole, yet it seemed unfocused.

"Nicole, your heart should beat only for me." His voice was laced with madness as he gently caressed Nicole's neck, his other arm encircling her waist tightly.

Suddenly, he brought his head down, capturing her lips in a fierce kiss, more intense than any before.

He kissed her with force, sucking fiercely, with an intensity surpassing anything before.

The mingling of their Lips made him shiver, igniting every inch of his body.

Nicole was repulsed, fighting back with all her might. Yet, Jarrod's strength was overwhelming and unyielding. Her head was forced back, her tongue numb from the intensity of his kiss.

Jarrod kissed Nicole with wild abandon, rampant and fierce.

Just as Nicole felt like she was about to pass out, Jarrod released her lips and nestled his head on Nicole's shoulder.

Only then did Nicole notice the feverish heat radiating from his body.

His lips against her neck felt icy cold, making her whole being shuddering.

Jarrod's voice was a mix of hoarseness and mockery, saying, “Am I dreaming? I regret doing those things. Please, Nicole, don't despise me.