Jarrod's face showed his heartbreak. An eight-month-old child, gone just like that?

Nicole added with a cold laugh, "If you had believed me about my illness instead of continuing to stress me out, would our child have died from malnutrition?"

Jarrod pressed his lips together, lost for words.

"So, what are you trying to say now?" Nicole's tone was unforgiving.

"Are you trying to show that you're a heartless killer who caused your own child's death?"

After a painful silence, Jarrod finally said, "No, that's not what I meant..."

Jarrod wanted to explain that he never intended for the child to die.

He had even pictured a future with the child.

The tragic death of his parents had turned Jarrod against the idea of marriage and having kids. He thought he'd never have children in his life. He didn't want to pass on his misfortune. He was dark, violent, not the kind of man who could be a good father.

Yet, if the child truly belonged to Nicole and was born for him, Jarrod began to feel a small surge of anticipation.

However, his growing hope was crushed by Nicole's cold laughter.

“Jarrod, the child died because of you. Really living up to your name, aren't you?"

Jarrod's hands slowly dropped, admitting silently that Nicole still had power over his emotions.

Despite being enemies, they understood each other too well.

After a pause, Jarrod broke the silence. "It's just a child. We can have another."

At those words, every fiber of Nicole's being shook, her hand lifting to slap Jarrod again, but he caught her wrist.

Jarrod, looking into her pale face and dry lips, softened his tone as he said, "If you want, we can try for another child. But for now, it's important you heal.”

"Jarrod?" Nicole looked at him as if she were watching a stranger, emphasizing each word as she declared, "I love children, but that has nothing to do with you, got it? And you think too highly of me. Is my body even capable of having a child now?"

What Nicole really meant to say was that someone as ruthless and cruel as Jarrod, who belonged in hell, had no right to be a father.

She wasn't swayed by his sudden concern for the child. The moment things didn't go his way, he'd threaten her with the child. She understood him all too well.