Ultimately, Jarrod would face a solitary existence, grappling with the solitude of old age.

Having found contentment himself, Mitchel cherished its rarity and wished the same for his friend.

Luis, who had been attentively listening, chuckled. "Mitchel, you've transformed into a life coach."

Ignoring Luis' jest, Mitchel took a sip of his juice. As an unmarried man, Luis couldn't fathom his joy.

Luis gently placed his hand on Jarrod's shoulder, conveying a sense of brotherhood. “Bro, while I may not possess a wealth of advice, Mitchel's content family speaks volumes. Witnessing his relentless pursuit to win Raegan back, even at the brink of peril, resonated deeply. His perseverance prevailed, thankfully. And you..."

Luis sighed deeply. "If your feelings for Nicole persist, refrain from pushing her away. I understand your stubborn nature, but perpetually adopting a tough facade is unsustainable. Women often respond to gentle persuasion, don't they? You persist in your rigidity, repeatedly rescuing the damsel in distress, yet why does it never yield favorable outcomes? Your words and suspicions consistently undermine any potential success."

Jarrod submerged himself in introspection. The insights from both Luis and Mitchel held merit. Despite his earnest efforts on each occasion, the outcomes consistently led to deterioration rather than fostering closeness, driving them even further apart.

Before the gathering, Luis and Mitchel had agreed to have a sincere conversation with the obstinate Jarrod. It was evident to everyone that Jarrod hadn't moved on, yet he invariably found a way to exacerbate the situation.

Luis expressed his exasperation with Jarrod, "Bro, as I've mentioned, women respond to gentle persuasion. Making Roscoe suffer won't help. It will only breed resentment and push Nicole further away. Even if your feelings for her have changed, for the sake of your child, you should maintain a peaceful relationship with her. Don't subject your child to emotional harm that you'll regret."

Both Luis and Mitchel had delivered a heat-felt speech, unsure if Jarrod absorbed any of their advice. Ultimately, advice amounted to mere words. Action was a separate issue.

Mitchel summed up, saying, "I'm willing to support Roscoe, not only because his goals align with my company this year, but also to prevent you from making more mistakes. If Roscoe suffers due to his family's troubles and ends up in jail, I doubt Nicole will ever forgive you. Think it over and avoid actions you'll regret."

In terms of friendship, Mitchel always stood by his friends. Seeing Jarrod encounter problems on the matter of feelings, he wanted to offer assistance. But that was his limit. He had fulfilled his role.

The journey ahead was one that Jarrod would have to navigate on his own.

After the gathering, everyone dispersed. Luis opted to linger at the bar, while Mitchel headed straight home.

Once back home, Mitchel made his way to the guest bathroom to wash away the lingering scent of the bar.

Following his shower, Mitchel visited the nursery, where a profound sense of contentment washed over him as he gazed at his peacefully slumbering babies. Tenderly, he pressed kisses to their cheeks.

He then returned to the master bedroom. Raegan lay asleep in bed, with their daughter Janey nestled beside her like a little kitten.

As Mitchel approached, the room was enveloped in the familiar, comforting fragrance of his wife and children.

Mitchel settled into bed quietly, but even his gentle movements roused Raegan. She blinked sleepily and murmured, “You're back?"

"Yes, sorry for waking you," Mitchel whispered, planting an apologetic kiss on her forehead.