The realization engulfed Jarrod in a profound despair. He had genuinely aimed to set Nicole free. But fate, with its twisted sense of humor, had dealt him a cruel hand. Now, Nicole was pregnant with his child.

Jarrod felt an overwhelming debt of gratitude toward Nicole's Lawyer.

Without the photograph Rhett had presented, he would have been completely unaware of her pregnancy.

That instant confirmation had reignited Jarrod's extinguished heart with overwhelming joy, making him realize that deep down, he had always longed for this chance.

Despite the overwhelming joy pulsing through Jarrod, a dark cloud of fear loomed overhead, casting a shadow over her happiness. Memories of his past mistakes haunted him relentlessly, especially his failure to protect Austin, his own son, and the pain he had caused. The mere thought of history repeating itself, of potentially subjecting another innocent life to the same anguish, made him shiver.

As Jarrod dwelt on the specter of loss for something he hadn't yet held, fear gnawed at him with relentless persistence, its grip tightening with each passing moment.

The last time he had felt such overwhelming dread was when Nicole had staged her own death, and now it had resurfaced. The fear ate away at his soul, rendering him unable to express his anguish.

Silently, Jarrod pleaded, "Nicole, please. Let the child have a chance. Give me the opportunity to make amends."

That evening, as soon as Jarrod was free from his work commitments, he positioned himself downstairs outside Nicole's place, his eyes fixed on the glowing window upstairs.

Jarrod scarcely slept a wink that night. It was unclear if he had even managed to sleep at all.

For the next three nights, Jarrod took over from the person keeping an eye on Nicole. According to the reports on her movements, Nicole seemed unusually calm during these days, avoiding meetings and staying holed up at home.

For three agonizing days, Jarrod had been trapped in a state of torment. Each passing second felt like a sharpened sword dangling above his head, ready to strike and shatter his world at any moment.

Eventually, even Conor couldn't bear to witness it anymore. Each evening, Jarrod showed up promptly. Handling business matters at the company by day, Jarrod then stood guard through the night without a moment's rest. Even the stoutest of nerves couldn't endure such relentless pressure.

Conor remarked, his voice tinged with worry, "Mr. Schultz, you have been through so much. Why not open up to Miss Lawrence? She might be swayed if she knew how deeply you care for her. Surely, she wouldn't be so heartless as to go through with the abortion if she understood your feelings."

Jarrod's reply was swift, his tone cold and tinged with sarcasm. "You just don't get it, Conor. No matter what I say, she will only grow more resentful. My words won't make a dent in her resolve." The divide between them had stretched so far that bridging it seemed impossible.

Conor's mind spun with confusion. How could a man as charming and eligible as Jarrod fail to win a woman's heart? Jarrod was fiercely devoted, yet rejected by Nicole time and again.

And now, the weight of carrying the child rested solely on Nicole's shoulders. Conor couldn't help but question the effectiveness of Jarrod's fervent guardianship in ensuring the baby's safety. Any unforeseen event could put the baby's well-being at risk in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Conor wisely chose to keep his thoughts to himself. He understood Jarrod's anxiety and realized that voicing his concerns would only add to Jarrod's distress.

As the dawn broke, casting its first light across the sky, Nicole stepped out of her house and flagged down a taxi.

Keeping a discreet distance, Jarrod followed closely behind.