Nicole was well aware that Jarrod's resentment toward Roscoe hadn't faded. Despite her repeated explanations, Alec's second suicide attempt had forever closed the topic, making any further discussion seem unfair to Alec.

Silently, Nicole processed this, only to be interrupted by Jarrod who coldly threw a divorce agreement onto the bed.

“Here's the freedom you wanted," Jarrod said sharply.

Stunned, Nicole saw that he had already drawn up the divorce papers.

Without another word, Jarrod exited the room, signaling the end of her confinement.

Shortly after, a hesitant maid entered. "Madam, Mr. Schultz instructed me to assist with your packing. He mentioned you're moving out," she said, clearly uneasy as she had no prior knowledge of Nicole's departure.

Reeling from the sudden development, Nicole realized she had no choice but to leave. She understood Jarrod's intentions but could never fulfill them.

Haunted by the memory of sleepless nights she had endured, Nicole knew that conciliatory gestures no longer swayed her. She resolved to never relinquish her maternal rights.

Quickly gathering her few possessions, Nicole sent Jarrod a firm text message. "Jarrod, I consent to the divorce but insist on visitation rights with Austin. He's growing and holds memories of us, and I wish to remain in his life without harming his well-being. Please consider this carefully."

With her message sent, Nicole bid farewell to this place where she had only just begun to settle.

In the car, Jarrod's frustration was palpable as he read Nicole's lengthy message on his phone. With a grimace, he threw the phone against the back of the seat, startling his driver.

The driver, catching Jarrod's eye in the rearview mirror, asked tentatively, "Mr. Schultz, is something wrong?"

Jarrod glanced at his phone's shattered screen and muttered, "Nothing."

Jarrod then turned his gaze to the window, watching the landscape blur by, his expression troubled. It dawned on him that Nicole always seemed able to leave his side without looking back. Perhaps, he thought, it was time to truly let her go and grant her the independence she sought.

Nicole resettled into her former family home, a property she had repurchased after it had been sold off years earlier. She had maintained contact with real estate agents to reclaim it should it ever go back on the market.

When the opportunity arose due to the current owner's financial distress, Nicole acted swiftly and bought it back.

Over the years, the value of the house had increased significantly, necessitating an extra million dollars to finalize the purchase. Its prime location was something the previous owner wouldn't have given up under normal circumstances.

Having preserved this house just as it was before marrying Jarrod, Nicole always felt she might return. Now back, she settled in and went to check her mailbox, which she had continued to use as her permanent address regardless of her whereabouts.

Among the usual bills, she found the genetic testing and health checkup reports that Roscoe had reminded her to review.

Opening them, Nicole was stunned to find all values within normal ranges, surprising given her history of poor health outcomes following stomach surgery. It seemed almost miraculous, as if an elixir had restored her health.