"Why don't you ever learn?" Jarrod's words came out as a growl, his teeth clenched in frustration.

He had always harbored a violent streak, which he had tried to mask for Nicole's sake. Yet, once provoked, his aggressive nature reemerged, stronger and more uncontrollable.

Jarrod intended to teach Nicole a harsh, unforgiving lesson, ensuring she understood who truly controlled her life and from whom she must distance herself.

Pinned against the glass, unable to move, Nicole's face distorted against the pane, she pleaded, “Jarrod, please, let's not drag any outsiders into our problems, okay?"

"Who is ‘outsider'?" Jarrod sneered coldly. "Are you referring to Roscoe?" "If he really considered himself merely an ‘outsider,' he wouldn't be in this predicament. It's your fault, Nicole."

Jarrod taunted her, "You're the one who gave him false hope, didn't you?" He observed the scene outside with a sinister smile as Roscoe was beaten repeatedly. "Is this what you wanted?"

Outside the door, Roscoe was left bloodied and beaten, his head and face smeared with blood, a gruesome testament to the violence he endured.

The men assaulting Roscoe were merciless, striking with such force it seemed their intent was lethal.

Despite the odds, Roscoe's resilience shone through. Every time he was knocked down, he fought to rise again, only to be struck down once more. This grueling pattern continued. Each time he fell, he mustered the strength to stand, refusing to surrender.

Witnessing this, Nicole's distress grew. She shouted, "Jarrod, this is all because of your paranoia! You'll never trust me, no matter what I do, will you?"

“Then prove it. Make me believe you, Jarrod replied sternly. “You know what's required."

"I don't know... I don't know..." Nicole sobbed uncontrollably, overwhelmed by despair. Hope seemed to crumble all at once. Every time she sensed a slight improvement in their situation, another crushing setback would occur. Caught in this relentless cycle, she felt utterly defeated.

In a moment of sheer desperation, Nicole exclaimed, "You might as well kill me, Jarrod! Just end this torture..."

"Do you really wish to die?" Jarrod's voice was chillingly detached.

"And who would you like to die with you?"

Nicole's eyes widened in shock, her tears momentarily forgotten.

"First, there's Roscoe. Who's next? Who else have you been in touch with? Let me think..." Jarrod pondered aloud, his tone deliberate.

"Jamie? Or perhaps Ethel? Or maybe Jemma?"

With each name he listed, a wave of dread washed over Nicole.

“What are you talking about?" Nicole asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "What do Ethel and Jemma have to do with any of this?"