"I'll teach my woman a lesson," Jarrod interjected.

Enraged, Nicole thumped Jarrod's arm while leaning against his shoulder.

"Put me down, Jarrod! Who are you calling ‘your woman'? I have to protect Raegan from this jerk."

Jarrod felt as though his head might burst.

It dawned on him that Nicole's ultimate loyalties lay with her closest friend and her family. Cross that line, and she'd unleash helt.

Losing patience, Jarrod warned, “Act out one more time and forget about seeing your best friend ever again."

Nicole finally fell silent. Jarrod felt his shoulder damp from her tears.

Setting her down next to the elevator, Jarrod pinned her against the wall and snapped, “Are you crazy?"

"You're crazy!" Nicole shot back, unyielding.

She rarely showed vulnerability in front of him. Even when mistreated, she refused to cry.

But, it should be noted, tears were her secret weapon. At least for now, Jarrod felt disarmed.

Visibly frustrated, Jarrod said, "I never stop you from seeing Raegan.

Given Mitchel's volatile temper, you're lucky to walk away unscathed.

You should be thanking me, got it?"

"He's a bastard, Jarrod! Why can't I tell the truth? You're no good either. You're just as bad as he is!"

"You!" Jarrod clenched his jaw, enraged.

Just as he was about to give Nicole a piece of his mind, a figure caught his eye, casting a shadow over his expression for a fleeting moment.

Quickly, he positioned Nicole behind him, near the emergency exit.

Caught off guard, Nicole stumbled backward when Jarrod shoved her.

Her heel got stuck in the emergency exit door, causing her to fall hard onto the concrete.