When the official stamped the marriage certificates, Nicole felt as though the seal had been pressed upon her heart as well. Overwhelmed, she realized she was now married, the reality setting in surreal waves.

Before Nicole could even grasp the marriage certificate, Jarrod snatched it away, stating assertively, "I'll keep it."

Jarrod then concealed the document in his pocket. His look suggested he feared Nicole might snatch the certificate to file for divorce immediately.

Nicole remained silent, her spirits sinking further. The acquisition of the marriage certificate did little to ease her concerns. It merely postponed some of her immediate troubles, leaving her with a multitude of unresolved issues.

Stepping outside, Nicole's attention was drawn to the young couple she'd met earlier.

The girl received a jubilant phone call, embracing her boyfriend passionately. "Honey, we just won the first prize! They're going to sponsor our world tour!" she exclaimed with glee.

"Really?" her boyfriend asked, caught up in the excitement.

“Yes, really! It's sponsored by the Schultz Group, a major legitimate company," she explained enthusiastically.

Nicole looked on, surprised by the news, and turned to Jarrod.

Jarrod's response was a mix of pride and joy. “She says I'm handsome and that makes me happy."

Nicole was at a loss for words, noting a slight shift in his demeanor, perhaps a touch of newfound arrogance.

As the car started moving unexpectedly, Nicole, realizing they were heading somewhere, quickly asked, "Can I go see Austin now?"

“Sure. He's waiting for you in our new home from now on,” Jarrod replied casually, setting the course for their future together.

Nicole felt her earlier perception was merely an illusion. Jarrod remained the controlling figure he always was.

Without raising any objections, Nicole's primary concern was to reunite with Austin and uncover what had transpired with Kamilah.

While in the car, Jarrod said, “Hand over the backup of the camera storage footage to me."

His directive left no room for discussion.

Stunned, Nicole questioned, "Why should I hand it over to you?"

Nicole was aware of Vicki's questionable actions but was unclear about the specifics, especially concerning Kamilah, the nanny she had arranged for Austin. How could she hand over the backup of the recording easily without making Vicki pay?

Nicole felt compelled to strip away any facade of innocence of Vicki's and expose the truth, ensuring no future pretenses could stand.