Chapter 1615:

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Jarrod waited for Nicole to speak. Instead, Rhett pulled out a document, saying, “Mr. Schultz, this is the agreement drafted per Miss Lawrence’s instructions. Please review it.”

Jarrod took the document and read through it.

The terms Nicole had laid out for keeping the child were similar to Jarrod’s earlier proposal. Her conditions included finalizing their divorce within a week of the child’s birth, leaving no room for delay. It was clear that Nicole had no attachment to their calculated marriage beyond the child.

Apart from this, Nicole insisted on living in her own apartment until the child was born. The setup would grant her freedom, ensuring that Jarrod wouldn’t be able to interfere in her life, including her visits with Austin. Their relationship would be practically divorced, with only the paperwork pending after the child’s birth.

To ensure Jarrod wouldn’t back out, Nicole insisted on involving lawyers and notarizing the agreement. She was all too familiar with Jarrod’s tendency to renege on promises.

Nicole’s choice to keep the child wasn’t just about Jarrod’s proposal. Her mother’s better condition and her own change of heart had led her to this decision.

The once unwanted child had gradually turned into the image of a small, precious life. Indeed, the child was innocent—it was the adults who were at fault. And so, it wouldn’t be right for the child to pay for their mistakes.

Jarrod’s lips curled into a bitter, self-mocking smile. It was such a one-sided agreement, and yet, he had no choice but to accept it. He had brought this upon himself. Selfishly, he wanted to keep the baby, as it was the connection between them, and this was the only way.

Jarrod signed the document swiftly and said, “Rest assured, once the child is born, I will set you free.”

Jarrod genuinely believed that letting Nicole go would also be freeing himself. He would spend the rest of his life protecting her and their children. It was how things should be—it was just that his realization had come too late.

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“If there’s nothing else, let’s leave it at that,” Nicole said as she prepared to leave first.

Jarrod watched as she walked out the door, feeling as if his heart sank further with her every step.

Outside, as Rhett went to get the car, Doreen suddenly appeared in front of Nicole.

“Nicole!” Doreen yelled. Her clothes were disheveled, and she looked oddly unkempt.

Even her expression had a strange feeling to it. But the worst part was the purple bruises littering her skin, telltale signs of abuse and mistreatment.

Nicole’s brows furrowed. She didn’t know what Doreen had gone through. She stood still, waiting to see what Doreen was up to.

“I hate you! You’ve ruined my life!” Doreen screamed, echoing Hallie’s words.

Nicole couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

“Why is it always someone else’s fault when something bad happens to you? That’s pretty convenient—never blaming yourself for the consequences of your own actions.”

Nicole was baffled by how Hallie and Doreen thought. No wonder they weren’t capable of empathy. She continued, “Just because Roscoe didn’t love you, you resorted to all kinds of dirty means. You went as far as conspiring with Miguel to drug and trap Roscoe. Do you really not know how that wedding came about?”

As far as Nicole knew, Doreen was not only aware of the scheme but was also a part of it.

Nicole couldn’t quite understand it. Did Doreen truly love Roscoe? Or was it just some sort of deranged and twisted obsession? Whatever the answer was, it was terrifying. A love that would rather destroy than let go had no ending.

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