The car finally pulled up to Nicole’s apartment, and Jarrod insisted on walking her to her door.
Nicole looked at him cautiously, worried that he might still have intentions to get laid with her, and said softly, “You can come to the doorstep but not inside.”
Jarrod chuckled at her unexpectedly shy gesture and replied with a cough, “I’ve been up for several nights. I’m too tired for anything else.”
“Who would believe that!” Nicole retorted as she stepped into the elevator. Jarrod’s desire was too apparent moments ago.
Jarrod stopped in his tracks and then followed her, his grin growing wider. Since Nicole’s return, he hadn’t laughed this much, yet his mistrustful side remained. He questioned, “Nicole, are you up to something?”
Nicole averted her gaze, her face a mask of sarcasm, and responded, “You already suspect me. Even if I say no, would you believe it?”
Jarrod didn’t reply but posed another question. “Can I trust you?”
The silence stretched between them, and Jarrod’s dark eyes deepened as he repeated, “Can I trust you, Nicole?”
‘s
“Jarrod, the biggest mistake of my life was meeting you. Now that my parents are gone and my reputation ruined, do you really think I can say I don’t hate you?”
Jarrod watched Nicole silently, not surprised by her answer.
Nicole gave a bitter smile. “I’m limited in what I can do since I can’t stand against you. I don’t even know how long I have left to live. I can’t fight anymore, and I give up. From now on, you can do whatever you want with me. Is that okay?”
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Her voice was hollow and weak, and her pale face made her seem even more exhausted, as if even her breath was strained.
In an instant, Jarrod’s doubts disappeared.
Nicole’s voice was low as she added faintly, “I’ve said my piece. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
Nicole stepped out, but suddenly, her arm was yanked back. The next moment, Jarrod pressed her against the wall of the elevator.
Nicole instinctively closed her eyes, bracing for pain that didn’t come. Jarrod had placed his hand on the wall, softening the impact to her head.
Jarrod lowered his gaze to meet hers, whispering, “Nicole, I often don’t intend to hurt you. But whenever you look at another man, I want to gouge out that man’s eyeballs! I’ve come to realize that this obsession and possessiveness only occurred when I was with you. Maybe I never truly hated you. All this time, I just wanted you by my side.”
Nicole looked at him, her lips curling into a mocking smile. She wanted to say something, but he pressed his fingers against her lips.
“I know nothing I say now can undo the damage I’ve caused to your soul. But if you truly want to stay, I promise I’ll try to change.”
Jarrod raised his hand to cradle the back of her head, pressing her head against his chest and holding her close. In a low, raspy voice, he said, “Nicole, let’s spend our lives just like this, forever.”
Even if hatred was all that remained in her heart for him, he couldn’t bear to let her go.
Nicole let him hold her without resistance, perhaps too weary to protest. Her eyes, cast downward, were unexpectedly serene. She concealed her hatred, burying it deep and far away.
For the first time upon their parting, Jarrod had felt something different stir within him. Blocking the doorway with an outstretched leg, he smiled at Nicole and teased, “Not letting me in?”