Love Unbreakable

y Chapter 405 Do You Want Me , To Feed You f | At Roscoe's reply, Jarrod arched his , eyebrows, and a cool detachment glinted in his eyes.

Doreen's gaze lingered on Nicole, knowing Nicole was the one who had captured Jarrod's heart.

Nicole's beauty was undeniable, with elegantly shaped eyes enhanced by tasteful makeup, and though her attire was that of a typical office worker, it somehow added to her allure.

Doreen couldn't resist a playful jibe.

"Jarrod, I was under the impression you had little interest in the opposite sex. Yet, here you are, dining with your dazzling girlfriend." Doreen's use of "girlfriend" carried a

/ biting tone, especially to Nicole.

| Before Jarrod could respond with a smile, Nicole quickly clarified, "That's | not the case." | Jarrod's expression stiffened.

| Doreen's smile didn't waver as she attempted to diffuse the tension. "Oh please, there's no need for upset. I was merely teasing." She then pulled out a chair. "Jarrod, you wouldn't mind if we shared the table, right?" Jarrod didn't say anything. Nicole felt a surge of tension but remained silent.

As Doreen settled into her seat, she made a point of inviting Roscoe to join, effectively grouping everyone for the meal.

The arrangement placed Doreen opposite Jarrod, with Nicole facing

| Roscoe.

| The pot of Shrimp and Grits, ordered i by Jarrod, filled the air with its enticing ( | aroma. Doreen, attracted by the dish, turned to Roscoe and asked, "This ! smells wonderful. Would you like to | taste this?" Roscoe, however, was less inclii "You go ahead. I'll pass." Doreen, pushing a bit, observed, "Really? It seems like you've hardly touched your dinner." With a cool demeanor, Roscoe replied, "I'm not interested." Doreen, enchanted by Roscoe's charm, ventured a suggestion tinged with a mix of shyness and excitement, "Why don't we share one pot of Shrimp and Grits?" The proposition hinted at a closeness that seemed too bold for two people

who had just met.

Nicole, stealing a glance at Roscoe, , found her vision slightly obscured by | the steam rising from the dish, | rendering Roscoe's expression | unreadable.

Without any objection from Roscoe, Doreen took his silence as agreement and happily ordered the Shrimp and Grits.

Noticing Nicole hadn't dug in yet, Doreen said with a radiant smile, "Please dig in. Don't mind us." Nicole felt a pang of discomfort at the inclusionary "us", unable to muster even a polite smile in response.

She understood the connections at play here. Doreen was Jarrod's cousin's daughter.

Jarrod had always felt a deep sense of gratitude toward his cousin for the

support during his times of need The partnership between the cousin's { company and Jarrod's had proven to be mutually beneficial, propelling their | business ventures to greater success Doreen, being the cherished only child of her family, was accustomed to a certain level of indulgence, which explained her confident demeanor.

Nicole harbored reservations about Roscoe's interactions with the Schultz family, uncertain of Roscoe's intentions and future plans. The possibility of Roscoe acting for her sake troubled her greatly.

The meal had yet to commence when Jarrod suddenly took Nicole's hand in his, laying their intertwined fingers on the table His hold was firm, Nicole's skin warming under the strength of his

grasp.

Attempting to free herself only resulted in Jarrod tightening his grip, causing Nicole discomfort and a faint | expression of pain to cross her face.

[ Yet, Jarrod's demeanor remained detached as he posed the question.

"Why don't you eat? Do you want me to feed you?" Doreen couldn't contain her excitement, her smile broadening.

"Jarrod, this side of you is new to me.

So commanding..." Jarrod, without lifting his gaze, addressed Nicole softly, reminiscing, "You used to prepare meals for me.

While this dish might not match up to yours, it's the best I could find. I frequented this place often in your absence." His words dripped with affection,

painting the picture of a man deeply in | love.

Doreen was taken aback, realizing the depth of Jarrod's silence held more | than she had ever known. Her surprise was evident as she inquired, "Jarrod, | have you been acquainted with her for long?" Jarrod's response was soft but firm.

"She's Nicole." "Nicole!" Doreen gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. "The very Nicole..." The revelation hit Doreen. So, the woman before her was precisely the one Jarrod had cherished for a decade.

"I finally get to meet the woman who fascinates Jarrod!" Doreen exclaimed, her words stunning those around her.

Nicole understood Doreen was oblivious to the full story, suggesting

her remark was made in innocence.

| Yet, if Jarrod's doings were driven by mere obsession, it would paint him in a disturbing light.

| The steam from Shrimp and Grits clouded their vision, obscuring the | tense atmosphere.

Unseen by others, Roscoe's hands were clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening under the strain. His eyes, usually clear, now appeared misty, the distance across the table amplifying his sense of isolation.

The aroma of Shrimp and Grits was overwhelming for Nicole, giving her a sense of nausea. Her complexion turned increasingly pale as she struggled to free her hand from Jarrod's grasp, her discomfort evident.

Jarrod's expression grew colder with Nicole's evident rejection, his icy demeanor somehow accentuating his

Nicole's so-called relative's company's | survival into her ear.

Nicole's reaction was one of shock. She | raised her eyes to meet his.

\ Jarrod's expression remained | impassive, betraying no sign of the ominous suggestion he had just made.

It seemed as if his words might have been a figment of her imagination.

Nicole ceased her struggle, pondering the implications of his statement. Was he aware of something, or was it merely a ploy? Observing her hesitation, Jarrod's gaze grew more intense. He relaxed his hold slightly but maintained contact, extending his hand to feed her a spoonful of Shrimp and Grits she found repulsive.

After a brief pause, Nicole acquiesced, opening her mouth to accept the food.

Doreen watched the interaction, a mix | of amusement and awe on her face.

This display of tenderness from Jarrod { | was unprecedented in her eyes.

| Witnessing Jarrod's intense look toward Nicole, Doreen was convinced | of his deep affection for Nicole.

Then, with cheeks warming to a soft pink, Doreen's gaze shifted toward Roscoe. "Roscoe..." she murmured, longing for a similar display of care.

Yet, she was mindful of the pace at which their relationship was progressing, given that it was only their first meeting.

Despite this, her attraction to Roscoe was undeniable, stirring a wish within her to experience the same affection.