“Alright.


    Nicole left immediately, driving the car Roscoe had arranged for her.


    ”


    Nicole arrived at the vi to find the guards at the door expecting her.


    They let her through with little resistance.


    As Nicole was about to head upstairs, she noticed Jarrod waiting at the top, seemingly expecting her.


    Her anger red up, and she couldn’t help but p him hard.


    “Jarrod, are you even human? How could you do this to Austin?”


    She raised her hand for another strike, but Jarrod seized her wrist, sneering, “So you’ve decided toe back? Didn’t get too cozy with your lover?”


    Nicole rolled her eyes.


    Jarrod was being entirely unreasonable, ming her when he was the one who had kept her from seeing Austin.


    Nicole was furious, but her worry for Austin outweighed her anger, and she didn’t want to escte things with Jarrod.


    “Let go of me, Jarrod.


    I need to get Austin to the hospital!” she insisted.


    Surprisingly, Jarrod didn’t argue with her, loosening his grip and letting her go upstairs.


    Pushing the door open, Nicole found Austin lying on the bed, with the nanny by his side.


    “How’s Austin “Nicole’s voice caught in her throat at the sight of the frail child.


    The nanny turned to Nicole and gently squeezed her hand.


    “Miss, don’t worry.


    His temperature is already dropping.


    The doctor just gave him a shot to bring down the fever.


    ”


    Only then did Nicole notice that fever-reducing patches covered Austin’s forehead and underarms.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    His face looked more rxed, his expression less troubled as he slept.


    “What happened?” Nicole asked, confused.


    Wasn’t Jarrod against taking Austin to a doctor?


    For years, every time Nicole heard about Austin being ill, she couldn’t sleep or eat properly.


    Although she and Austin hadn’t much time together and the emotional distance often kept her from reaching out, she was always deeply concerned for him.


    She worried she wouldn’t have enough time to see him grow up.


    “It was Mr.


    Schultz who arranged for the doctor,” the nanny exined.


    She had also thought Jarrod wouldn’t allow it, but after she made the call, Jarrod surprisingly agreed and had the doctor visit to treat Austin’s fever.


    The nanny, having apanied Austin through simr episodes over the years, recognized the doctor’spetence.


    Within a few moments, the doctor identified Austin’s heart problem, administered an antipyretic injection, and applied fever-reducing patches.


    After leaving, the doctor seemed to have shared something with Jarrod, as Jarrod’s expression grew more serious when he came back to check on Austin before leaving again.


    Upon hearing the nanny’s ount, Nicole realized Jarrod was using Austin’s illness to manipte her return.


    That f@cking bastard! Just as she suspected, he was willing to exploit his own child for his gain.


    That was why Nicole had hidden Austin away for years, fearful he would be a pawn in Jarrod’s game.


    She hated Jarrod to the core but remained by Austin’s side, watching over his health.


    By evening, Austin briefly woke up.


    Upon seeing Nicole, Austin reached out his small hand with a hint of sadness and whispered hoarsely, “Mommy, hug…”


    Nicole was taken aback.


    Austin often clung to Roscoe but rarely acted so needy around her, usually presenting a more mature demeanor.