“Nicole is back…” Their voices were filled with warmth and happiness.


    Another wave of memories came flooding back.


    She remembered her father in his study, themp burningte into the night, and her mother bringing out a bowl of soup that went mostly untouched.


    Her mother stood there, worry etched across her face.


    This was around the time Jarrod had started his attacks on the Lawrence family.


    Back then, Nicole believed that as long as they stayed united, they could handle anything together.


    In the worst case, they might go bankrupt, but she could find work and help support her parents.


    But she hadn’t considered there could be a fate worse than that.


    Before long, her father ended up in the hospital, and her mother, who once seemed gentle and caring, was now staying up all night to care for him and snapping at Nicole under the strain of the rumors and her father’s illness.


    When Dora pped Nicole, it hit Dora just as hard.


    She couldn’tprehend how her daughter could end up being someone’s mistress.


    Her spirit was crushed, and she couldn’t bear to face Wesson in the hospital bed.


    Sensing the looming disaster, Wesson called Nicole the night before.


    “Nicole, if I don’t make it, you have to stay strong.


    Take care of yourself and look after your mother.


    ”


    Nicole broke down in tears.


    “Dad, don’t say that.


    We’ll be fine.


    ”


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    Even if we have to let thepany go, we can pay off our debts little by little until they’re gone.


    ” Then, she said naively, “The three of us can live simply.


    We’ll be together, and we can handle anything…”


    The next day, Nicole found her father’s body lying in a pool of blood, his skull crushed and his leg missing.


    The once-pristine golden floor that represented her family’s legacy was drenched in blood.


    With her father gone, it felt like the world hade crashing down.


    Nicole had vowed to take care of her mother, but she ultimately failed.


    The sight of Dora weighed on Nicole like chains that kept her tightly bound.


    Jarrod ced a hand on Nicole’s shoulder, trying to offerfort.


    “Ah!” Nicole shrieked.


    To her, that hand was stained with her family’s blood.


    Jarrod’s hand hovered in the air, his face contorted with frustration.


    Nicole’s disgust and hatred toward him were deeply rooted.


    Nicole failed to understand why Jarrod couldn’t just leave her alone.


    “It’s not good for you to be so scared of me, especially since we’re going to have to live together,” Jarrod said with a twisted smile, his eyes darkened with a menacing re.


    At his words, Nicole scoffed.


    “Have you ever seen enemies live together, Jarrod? You’re out of your mind.


    ”


    Jarrod replied icily, “It’s a miracle that I’ve managed to keep my sanity all these years.


    ”N?velDrama.Org content.


    In truth, he felt he had already lost it long ago.


    After Nicole sneaked away, he spent many sleepless nights overwhelmed with anger and fear, dreading that she might vanish from his world for good.