Jarrod's lawyer spoke again. “What the plaintiff says isn't accurate. My client, Mr. Schultz, got engaged five months ago, and the wedding is in three months. They're both emotionally steady and completely ready to raise a child."

As the lawyer made his case, Nicole noticed that Vicki had entered the gallery at some point. She was smiling at Jarrod, the picture of a loving fiancée.

Nicole was in total panic. Their argument was nearly impeccable. She felt she was on the verge of losing her sanity. If she lost Austin, and if Austin was raised by someone so cruel as Jarrod, she couldn't even imagine what Austin might have to face. This monstrous Jarrod planned for another woman to raise Austin.

The final judgment came as no surprise. Austin's custody was granted to Jarrod, his biological father, who was emotionally stable and financially capable. Nicole would need to obtain a hospital's certification of her mental health before she could have visitation rights.

"Why?" Nicole was not reconciled. She frantically looked around, screaming, "That's my child!" That was the baby she carried for ten months! How could it be under someone else's control now, with her not even allowed to visit?

Nicole sank weakly to the floor. Nothing felt more agonizing than separating a child from their mother.

Jarrod had no qualms about thrusting Nicole back into the abyss once more.

Nicole felt as though a suffocating net had been cast over her head, trapping her in its grip no matter how vigorously she struggled.

Witnessing Nicole's desolation, Rhett couldn't help but offer comfort.

"Miss Lawrence, don't despair. If you're certain that Mr. Schultz has been taking his medication, then there must be some explanation. Stay hopeful. We still have a chance."

The lawyer's pragmatic words jolted Nicole back to reality. Jarrod had indeed taken the medication. So, what was truly unfolding here?

Rhett promptly reached out to an acquaintance at the courthouse to inquire about any irregularities with Jarrod's testing organization.

He instructed Nicole to wait for him in the car.

Nicole walked absentmindedly toward the door and accidentally collided with someone. Feeling a sharp pain in her nose, she hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"It's alright." The man's voice startled Nicole.

As Nicole lifted her head, she saw that it was Roscoe whom she had bumped into, intensifying her distress. Fearing she couldn't contain her tears, she lowered her head and murmured once more, "I'm sorry."

Then, she turned around, wanting to leave.

“Miss Lawrence, please wait a moment." Roscoe suddenly called after her.

Hearing his voice, Nicole halted. Roscoe gestured toward her hand and handed her a silk handkerchief. He spoke gently. “Please use this to tend to it, Miss Lawrence."

Roscoe remained the epitome of kindness and gentleness. Nicole's sorrow deepened. Shaking her head, she murmured, "No, thank you."