As Alec was about to step out to make the call, Jarrod called out, "Wait a moment."

“What is it, sir?"

Jarrod instructed, "Let Vicki know about this Alec was taken aback. Jarrod was planning a vasectomy and yet, he wanted his future wife to be informed. Was he trying to drive her away?"

Jarrod simply desired to test whether Vicki meant her previous words.

He had explicitly stated to Vicki that he wished to have no other children in this lifetime and asked if she could commit to a life with him under this term. Vicki had promptly agreed, without any reservations.

Instead of asking Vicki to undergo a female sterilization operation, which would entail a physical sacrifice, Jarrod respected her enough as his chosen partner not to impose such a demand. He decided to undergo a vasectomy.

By allowing Alec to leak the news to Vicki, Jarrod was providing Vicki with another opportunity. It was a chance to reconsider her decision.

Alec understood well that those determined to leave would do so regardless. Take Nicole for instance. Jarrod had experienced this painfully with Nicole. Despite his desperate efforts to keep her, she left him coldly. Revealing such critical news before Jarrod's wedding with Vicki seemed wise, allowing them to separate amicably early on if Vicki couldn't come to terms with it.

Satisfied with Jarrod's decision, Alec nodded and exited.

Meanwhile, Jarrod pulled out his phone and replayed Austin's video once more. Austin resembled him strikingly, with the same furrowed eyebrows and piercing eyes. Yet, he wondered whether Austin shared his stoic demeanor.

Becoming a father had clarified many of his expectations. His relationship with Nicole was one of mutual destruction. Staying together meant binding each other with ropes. Aware of the toxicity of their bond, Jarrod was determined to shield his child from it.

Since change was impossible, Jarrod chose to purge his thoughts of Nicole. Dwelling on her only fueled his anger, jeopardizing his ability to remain a composed and rational father for Austin.

Jarrod set his phone aside, closed his eyes, and employed the meditation techniques his therapist had recommended.

Gradually, his emotions stabilized, and the anxiety within him eased significantly.

That evening, Nicole visited Kingbel Club as she had been directed.

Jemma spotted her and was taken aback.

Knowing of Nicole's recent ordeal, Jemma had expected her to be recuperating. Yet, here she was.

Puzzled and concerned, Jemma furrowed her brows and approached Nicole, asking, “Why are you here? Are you feeling better now?"

Nicole nodded reassuringly. “I'm fine, and my injuries aren't as severe as you might think."

In truth, Nicole's body hadn't fully recuperated. While her injuries weren't as grave as Jarrod's, she had endured being trampled and suffered broken ribs during the incident. However, she opted to downplay her condition to spare Jemma from unnecessary worry.