Marian suggested they talk privately in her library. Nicole, who doesn't want to mingle with both Marian and Dominic, was forced to abide. She needs to get her message to them. Let them know her strong stand regarding their previous plans.
In a dimly lit and massive library, Dominic leaned in, his piercing gray eyes fixed on Nicole. The sea of books and file-up documents provided the backdrop for their clandestine meeting.
"Dominic," Nicole began, her voice soft but determined, "I've been thinking about what we're doing. It's tearing me apart, and I can't continue this way."
Her admission hung in the air, a heavyweight that Dominic and Marian, who sat across from them, hadn't expected. Dominic's usually confident demeanor wavered for a moment.
"You can't be serious, Nicole," Marian interjected, her voice laced with disbelief. "We've come this far. We can't just stop now."
Nicole's gaze remained steady as she addressed both of them. "I don't care about your vendetta against Mallory or your obsession with breaking her and Harris apart, Dominic. It's not healthy for any of us. I want to move on, to find happiness on my own terms."
Dominic's jaw tightened, and he exchanged a wary glance with Marian, who was equally taken aback. The library's soft, ambient lighting cast shadows on their faces, emphasizing the tension in the room.
"Nicole," Dominic began, his voice tinged with frustration, "we had a plan. We've worked so hard to undermine their relationship. Are you saying you want to abandon all of that?"
Nicole nodded a sense of resolution in her eyes. "Yes, Dominic. I've realized that I can't keep interfering in Harris's life. I want him to be happy, even if it's with Mallory."
"That's not what we agreed on, Nicole," Maria chimed in, with her domineering attitude.
"Marian, enough! Think about your son."
"Of course I do. That's why I'm separating Harris from Mallory. He thinks that Mallory is the best for him, but the time will come when he will thank me for doing this ..."
Nicole didn't let her finish, her frustration bubbling over. "How could you, Marian? How could you conspire against your own son like this? You've broken his heart."
Dominic sat in silence, a spectator to this explosive confrontation between two women.
"Dominic, can you give us a minute, please," Nicole asked. 
Dominic nodded as he stood and walked out of the library.
Nicole leaned in closer, her voice quivering with rage. "Harris called me, Marian. He told me about our betrayal, about us conspiring against him. I feel so guilty and I can't believe you'd do this to your own flesh and blood."
Marian's face contorted, her composure slipping for a moment before she regained control. "Nicole, you have to understand, we did it because we thought it was best for Harris."
Nicole scoffed, her eyes brimming with tears of anger and betrayal. "Best for Harris? You destroyed his trust in me, in us. From the very beginning of our engagement, you've manipulated me to do things that are against my will."
Marian scoffed. "Against your will? You did everything you had to do because you want my son. That's the truth, Nicole. Don't come at me and wash your hands from everything you did voluntarily. Too late for that now."
"I know that but it felt like you took advantage of my vulnerability, all the while. Did Harris call you?"
"He did," Marian admitted. "I asked forgiveness but he cut me off from his life including his daughter, Harriet. The only way I can get to them again is if Mallory would be out of the picture."
"Marian, stop,"  Nicole begged. "Let Harris live his life on his own terms. You have to accept that Harris is old enough to make his own decision and take care of himself."
"Nicole, you're not a mother and probably won't become one, so you will never understand how I  feel. There is nothing a mother wouldn't do for the love of her child."
"What you're doing is not a mother's love, Marian. You are controlling Harris like a robot. You are selfish; you only think about yourself."
Marian laughed sarcastically. "Look who's talking. Do you think what you did to Harris all these years wasn't selfish? You drugged my son, lied to him, you did horrible things to get his love and affection."
"I know, and I feel awful for everything I did. I want to get out of all of this."
"Just like that? Do you want to get away? Do you really think you can get away from all of this, Nicole?"
"Of course, I can. I am Nicole Hudson, a successful entrepreneur, and an independent woman, and I can get whatever I want in life from now on. For years, it seems I've forgotten who  I am because of your son. It's time I regain my dignity and start a new life."
Marian stared at Nicole, her eyes devoid of emotion, but internally, she was suffocating from the anger she wanted to spit out. She couldn't believe Nicole had finally gathered the courage out of the situation. But she wouldn't let Nicole get out of her grasp easily. "Well, I wish you luck on your journey," she said with an evil smirk.
"Marian, I know you too well. If you're planning anything against me. I'm telling you, that's not gonna go well this time."
"Is that so?"
The massive library's elegant decor contrasted starkly with the emotional turmoil between the two women. The evening had taken an unexpected turn, with accusations and regrets unraveling the facade of their once-secretive alliance.
As the conversation continued, it remained uncertain whether Nicole's fury would be enough to mend the shattered bonds of trust or if the damage was too profound to repair.
Dominic's proposal had been met with an unexpected shift, one that threatened to alter the course of their carefully crafted plans.
Yet, as the night unfolded, it remained uncertain whether Nicole's newfound determination would hold, or if the allure of revenge and manipulation would once again ensnare them all in a tangled web of deceit.
Meanwhile, as Harris contemplated the path ahead, he knew that the challenges he faced were far from over. The battle against Dominic's interference and the ongoing media scrutiny would continue. However, with unwavering determination and a deep commitment to his family, Harris was ready to face whatever came his way.
The rift between Harris and his mother, Marian, seemed to widen. "Harris, are you sure about your decision to cut contact with your mother?" Mallory asked as they were sitting in the living room.
"Of course, this is for you and Harriet. I wouldn't let any harm come to you both. Mally, my mother is different. She could be controlling, and anything could go wrong if she doesn't get what she wants. I couldn't take that risk. After everything I've found out; she is literally dangerous for our family now."
"I trust your judgment."
"Mommy, when will I be seeing grandma?" Harriet asked, and she joined them after playing with Betty in the garden.
"I still don't know sweetie. Grandma is busy these days, Harriet."
"Okay," Harriet said, pouting.
Mallory and Harris exchanged looks, feeling the sadness in their daughter's voice. Yet they couldn't do anything about the situation. They could only hope Harriet would divert her attention to her classmates in her new school.
Harriet, too young to fully understand the complexities of the situation, occasionally asked about her grandmother, but Mallory handled those inquiries with care. Still, the possibility of Marian taking revenge was constant in Mallory's mind.