The pain was so intense that Nicole even curled her toes.

In this grim scenario, no joy was found. Only pain dominated. Both were expressing deep, unresolved rage.

Time seemed to drag, replaying Nicole's life in slow motion. Before she met Jarrod, her life was joyful, like a garden in full bloom.

After meeting him, it turned endlessly dark. Perhaps it was time to stop dragging others into this bleakness. Before she lost consciousness, Nicole considered this.

But clinging to her earlier plea, Nicole weakly murmured, “You had promised me to let him go..."

Her words only provoked harsher treatment from Jarrod.

Eventually, Nicole could no longer stand and slid down slowly.

Her collapse stirred no compassion in Jarrod. He believed he had been merciful enough. They were after his life. And he desired only Nicole.

Jarrod draped his suit jacket over Nicole's bruised form, covering the traces of his frenzy. After this ordeal, he was convinced Nicole would never think of betrayal again. That was his objective.

In his view, if he couldn't possess something fully, he preferred to destroy it. If things became unsustainable, he would be the one to end Nicole's life, not allowing her to be with another man.

When Nicole regained consciousness, it was two days later. Her body, already delicate as porcelain, had been thoroughly crushed and battered, nearly broken.

As she came to, her first reaction was to desperately search for Roscoe.

Seeing Nicole silently weeping, a nurse hurried to fetch Jarrod.

Jarrod walked in from outside, and Nicole immediately questioned him, "What about Roscoe? Did you release him?"

Jarrod's expression turned stormy instantly. "Nicole, do you think I have endless patience?" Her first actions upon waking were to cry and inquire about Roscoe.

Regardless of Jarrod's irritation, Nicole simply grasped his fingers, asserting, "You made a promise. You can't go back on your word."

Internally seething, Jarrod struggled to maintain his composure. The doctor described Nicole's condition as akin to a hollowed-out tree trunk, seemingly intact on the outside but thoroughly devastated on the inside. She needed careful attention and less stress. Perhaps then, she might live a few more years.

Enraged by the doctor's prognosis, Jarrod demanded that the hospital director dismiss the doctor. What sort of incompetent doctor was he?

How dare he make such statements? How could Nicole's condition be this critical? Nicole was merely in her twenties. How could her life be reduced to just a few years?

Yet, the doctor's remarks sowed a seed of doubt in Jarrod's mind. He abhorred such pronouncements and chose not to hear them anymore, nor did he seek additional medical opinions for Nicole. Nevertheless, he quietly arranged for a nutritionist to oversee Nicole's dietary needs.