Jarrod stared at Nicole and asked flatly, “Would you prefer to stay at the Oasis or go back to the villa we used last time?”
Feeling a chill at his words, Nicole felt trapped. Both options seemed like prisons to her. After hesitating, she asked, “Can I just stay at my own house?”
Jarrod smiled, a hint of amusement in his expression. “You’re still recovering. It would be better if you stayed close by so someone can take care of you,” he explained gently.
This was a polite way of saying Nicole didn’t really have a choice.
Jarrod was determined to keep Nicole close and wouldn’t take a no for an answer.
Nicole’s eyelashes drooped, and she murmured resignedly, “I’ll move to your place at tomorrow night. I need to go back to my home tonight to sort things out.”
“What do you need to pack? I’ll have someone take care of it.”
Jarrod intended not to burden Nicole, especially since she hadn’t fully recovered yet.
Unexpectedly, Nicole lost her temper. She spun around sharply, her eyes like clear pools locking onto him. “Jarrod, do you really need to keep me by your side in such a controlling manner? Can you even understand how this feels? I feel like a captive, with no say of my own!”
Jarrod pressed his lips together, his face growing darker. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what was it?” Nicole demanded, her eyes welling up. In a moment of distress, she briskly wiped away her tears, her voice trembling. “Yes, I agreed to obey you, but now I’m just asking for one night at my own home. You can’t even allow me that. Do you see me as a person?”
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Nicole knew if she insisted on going home for the night, Jarrod, with his suspicious nature, would likely say no. But her teary eyes and the sad look on her pale face softened his stance, making him lower his defenses.
Jarrod’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his tone becoming softer. “I didn’t say you couldn’t. So, tomorrow night then. I’ll come to pick you up.” For the first time, he made a concession.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home now.” Jarrod moved to put an arm around her shoulders, but Nicole, still upset, quickly turned away, rejecting his attempt at comfort.
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“Don’t want to leave?” Jarrod, surprisingly gentle this time, simply smiled, bent down, and picked Nicole up in his arms, carrying her out of the hospital room.
“Hey! Nicole, taken aback by his sudden action, instinctively held on to his neck, annoyed. “Jarrod, put me down.”
Jarrod, feeling cheerful, laughed quietly, teasing her, “Thought you didn’t want to walk?”
“I never said that. I just…” Nicole cut herself off and fell silent abruptly.
Jarrod followed Nicole’s gaze and saw, across two corridors, Roscoe sitting in a wheelchair, his face devoid of emotion as he was wheeled away for a checkup.
As if sensing the gaze, Roscoe turned his head with a deep look. Yet, his gaze wasn’t meant for Jarrod. It was fixed on Nicole, who was in Jarrod’s arms.
Seeing their exchanged looks, Jarrod felt a surge of jealousy. “What are you staring at?” he asked sharply.
“Nothing,” Nicole replied softly.
Nicole was the first to look away, but Jarrod noticed her rigid face.
There had been a time when Nicole’s eyes held only Jarrod. However, time and misunderstandings had erased the possibility of such moments.