The sound of her falling was a muffled thud, making it clear she'd taken a heavy fall.

Just as Nicole was gearing up to unleash a string of curses, a soft feminine voice wafted in from the outside.

“Jarrod, what brings you here?"

It was unmistakably Jamie's voice.

Switching his attention from the door to Jamie, Jarrod answered softly, "I'm visiting a friend. What's got you in the hospital?"

Jamie caught a faint whiff of shower gel, and for a fleeting moment, her eyes flashed with barely noticeable malice.

"I'm a bit lightheaded, so I came to get checked out."

Jamie leaned against Jarrod's chest. Jarrod gave her a quick look and asked, "Feeling worn out?"

Without waiting for her response, he scooped her up into his arms.

"Hey, there are so many people coming and going here..."

Jarrod's eyes settled on the now-shut emergency exit door, and a dark feeling began to stir within him.

“What's there to be scared of? I'm just holding my girl. Who's going to object?"

Blushing, Jamie wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You have no shame, do you?"

With a grin, Jarrod patted her rear.

"I've seen you unfazed in far more brazen scenarios."

Their conversation dwindled as they walked away, Leaving Nicole alone, curled up behind the exit passage.

The back of her head and her elbow bore the brunt of her fall, both now pulsating with pain, making standing up a real struggle.

Only a few days had elapsed in their supposed three-year arrangement, and Nicole had already found it hard to endure.

Though Jarrod had vowed not to marry within their agreement, she still couldn't hold her head high.