Nicole firmly pulled her hand away, ignoring the fleeting look of disappointment in Roscoeâs eyes.
âRoscoe, I want to handle this by myself.
Could you please look afterâ¦â Her voice broke off, Leaving the name unsaid.
Tears gathered in her eyes as she expressed her deep appreciation, âIâm so grateful to you.
â
Roscoeâs response was almost imperceptible.
âNicole, Austin is doing well, better than you think, and heâs stronger than you know.
Once we find a good match, heâll definitely get better.
Just focus on your goals.
â
Nicole lowered her head, her hands covering her face as she cried softly.
âThank you⦠Thank you so much,â she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
She was grateful that Roscoe had kept Austin from seeing the flaws in her.
She felt she wasnât a good mother.
Austin was too innocent, and she felt too stained by her past.
Following the birth of Austin, Nicole was overwhelmed by a profound depression.
This dark period led her to attempt to end her life on several occasions.
One night, in a moment of despair, Nicole found her hands wrapping around Austinâs thin neck.
The hope she had once felt for her son had turned into bitterness.
She questioned why he continued to live.
Yet, as she tightened her grip, the sudden cries of her son pierced the silence, snapping her back to reality.
âHow did I become so lost?â Nicole wondered.
Roscoe stood up and placed his hands on Nicoleâs shoulders, soothing her with gentle strokes.
He waited patiently until her sobs subsided.
âNicole, youâve done nothing wrong.
Donât blame yourself.
Iâm sure Austin wouldnât blame you either,â he assured her, his gaze filled with unwavering support.
âYou havenât done anything wrong.
Donât doubt yourself,â Roscoe reiterated, his voice firm.
He then hugged her gently, with a touch so delicate it seemed he feared she might break.
After they had finished eating, Roscoe settled Nicole into the passenger seat before taking the wheel himself.
The vehicle halted outside a grand, high-end hotel.
âYouâre staying here?â Nicole inquired.
âYes, my new place hasnât been occupied in some time.
Iâve had it aired out, but it will be a few days before itâs ready for us to move in.
Iâve arranged for the nanny to stay here with Austin in the meantime,â Roscoe explained.
The mention of Austin caused Nicoleâs eyelashes to flutter once more.
Roscoe caught this and gently offered, âNicole, would you like to go upstairs and check on him? Austin is probably asleep by now.
â
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Meanwhile, Alec was stationed in a car below the hotel, vigilant.
A sleek black luxury car glided to a stop nearby, prompting Alec to swiftly exit his vehicle and approach.
The car window descended, revealing Jarrodâs pale, yet strikingly handsome face.
Following a critical emergency at the hospital, Jarrod developed a fever soaring above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that night, threatening his lung tissue.
His lungs, already vulnerable, necessitated a hospital stay of five days to achieve some stability.
Jarrod was still not fully recovered.
Despite his doctorâs warnings against smoking, he clung to his cigarettes, smoking incessantly.
Alec relayed to Jarrod all of Nicoleâs actions since she had departed from the restaurant.
Lifting his eyelids slightly, Jarrod eyed the shimmering entrance of the hotel and queried, âHere?â