Chapter 182


    Such A Madman Nicole remained silent, simply shaking her head in response.


    Shortly after, Jarrod entered with medication in hand.


    Observing the space between Nicole and Roscoe, a flicker of curiosity crossed Jarrod''s eyes.


    Jarrod extended the medicine to Roscoe, questioning, “Does she need to start with an infusion or


    should she be applied with the medicine first?" Handing the medication to a nurse, Roscoe instructed,


    "She can apply the medicine at home.


    Start with an infusion for now." Jarrod''s eyebrows lifted in surprise.


    "Aren''t you going to apply medicine for her yourself?" Looking up, Roscoe''s voice was soft but firm.


    "No. If you require assistance, the nurse is avable." Undeterred, Jarrod''s voice carried a hint of


    implication.


    "I''ll take care of the application myself.” Roscoe appeared not to register Jarrod''s words, turning his


    attention back to his work as the nurse finished administering the fluids.


    Jarrod grabbed a cigarette and nced at Roscoe from a short distance.


    Roscoe, with his good looks and ck-rimmed sses, appeared innocent and non-threatening, much


    like the campus heartthrob.


    A cold smirk crossed Jarrod''s face as he mused over Nicole''s possible attraction to this type of men.


    He pondered whether Roscoe had sex before.


    He didn''t know whether Nicole and Roscoe had an affair or not.


    The only thing clear to Jarrod was their shared moment over breakfast.


    Leaning casually against the door, Jarrod fiddled with his cigarette, probing with a smile, “Roscoe, you


    know Nicole.


    Why act as if you don''t?" Without ncing up, Roscoe responded honestly, "Given her four monthly


    hospital visits, she''s hard to forget.


    I asked her once if she needed to call the police, but never again.” Jarrod was taken aback.


    Nicole''s frequent hospital visits were news to him.


    His encounters with her were intense, consumed by passion, leaving him uncertain if her difort


    was a result of their intimacy or something deeper.


    Preferring not to see her face, to spare himself the distress, he would ask her to turn away each time.


    Jarrod had more questions for Roscoe but was interrupted by an attractive nurse who approached


    Roscoe.


    "Dr.


    Watts, it''s for you." The nurse hastily ced it down and retreated shyly.


    Roscoe remained still, and noting Jarrod''s idleness, he suggested, "You might consider purchasing


    some liquid nourishment like porridge for your girlfriend.


    She''s had nothing but an apple since noon." Jarrod was stunned.


    He did not deny the term “girlfriend”.


    Exiting the room, he instructed Alec to purchase some porridge.RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Once acquired, Jarrod ced the steaming bowl on the bedside table near Nicole.


    Nicole, slightly drunk though not noticeably so, jerked her head away in a startled motion as Jarrod


    approached.


    “What are you doing?" Jarrod had intended to procure a new set of clothes for her and even


    considered asking Alec to drop some off.


    However, the thought of Roscoe prompted a change of heart.


    Bowing his head, Jarrod''s warm breath brushed against Nicole as his hand roamed without restraint.


    Leaning in, he murmured, "I want you." "Jarrod, choose the time and ce wisely for your advances.


    This is a hospital,’ Nicole chastised, gripping his hand firmly.


    But her strength was no match for his.


    She red, issuing a warning, "If you dare to cross the line, I will..." "What will you do?" Jarrod retorted,


    pinching Nicole''s cheek, causing her lips to pout and teeth to sh in protest.


    His gaze grew heavy.


    He hadn''t found satisfaction in the chamber earlier, and her involuntary pout seemed alluring to him.


    Nicole winced from the pinch, her tolerance evident in her furrowed brow.


    Observing her usual furrowed brow, Jarrod felt a twinge ofpassion.


    Yet, his sympathy waned as he recalled her repeated deceptions.


    With a cold stare, Jarrod held Nicole''s chin firmly.


    "This is what you want.


    Can''t you handle it now?" he taunted.


    Disgust swept through Nicole.


    He was audacious, caring little for the asion and the surroundings.


    Closing her eyes, Nicole exhibited a vulnerability seldom seen, whispering, “I can''t...


    I’m in so much pain now...” Jarrod''s scoff was bitter.


    "Then moan.


    If it pleases me, I might just release you.” Suddenly, Nicole''s gaze lifted to the white hospital walls, her


    realization dawning.


    Jarrod wanted Roscoe to overhear her moan.


    He wanted to degrade her and test their bond.


    In a different time, Nicole would willingly share intimacy with Jarrod and avoided the sting of disgrace.


    Yet, having been subjected to such degradation, her sense of dignity seemed worthless now.


    A sharp ache in her abdomen served as a grim reminder of her possibly fleeting life, casting doubt on


    the necessity of maintaining her pride while enduring such agony.


    With a deft movement, she caressed the coarse tips of Jarrod''s fingers with her tongue.


    Her lips parted ever so slightly, releasing a sound that was both alluring and pitiful.


    "Mmm...


    Mmm...” After a minute of her charade, Jarrodmanded, "Enough." Jarrod''s lips were a firm line, his


    gaze icy with unfulfilled yearning.


    He realized he didn''t want anyone else to hear her voice.


    More than that, he yearned to silence herpletely, to possess her in a way that left her soundless.


    This overwhelming urge agitated him.


    Nicole scoffed.


    "Finished so soon, Mr.


    Schultz? Others might question your prowess." Jarrod''s eyes grew darker and his smothered desire


    rekindled.


    With a sardonicugh, he shot back, "Damn it! Nicole, don’t provoke me.” His mock was sharp.


    "If I were ipetent, you wouldn''t be hospitalized now." At his words, Nicole''s defiance seemed to


    crumble.


    Pain still racked her body.


    She knew better than to rile up this madman.


    Jarrod''s phone pierced the tension with its ring.


    Without hesitation, he answered, "Honey." Amidst her haze of difort, Nicole discerned the caller''s


    identity.


    It was Jamie.


    Then, Jarrod''s voice took on an unusual softness as he said, "I''ll be there in no time.


    Just stay put." Once the call ended, Jarrod addressed Nicole, who was still hooked to her IV, "Alec will


    take you back.” Nicole turned away, too entangled in her emotions to reply.


    Jarrod''s eyes remained cool, unaffected by her silence.


    "Don''t pretend to be jealous.


    Your acting disgusts me,” he sneered, then strode out without a second nce.


    Alone, Nicole exhaled in relief.


    She reveled in the thought that Jamie''s needs might keep Jarrod away tonight, granting her a rare


    peace.


    She drifted into a light doze only to be startled awake by a cold sensation on her legs.


    "Who''s there?” Her ankle was suddenly seized, and she locked eyes with Roscoe''s attractive face, his


    actions clear.


    A wave of shyness washed over her flushed features.


    In his usual deep tone, Roscoe murmured, "Let me tend to your wounds, Nicole.”