Perhaps his illness had left him feeling lost and vulnerable.
Still, Nicole leaned in and cradled Austin, his small, warm body fitting snugly into her embrace.
He clung tightly to her, bringing warmth to her heart.
That deep trust between mother and child made Nicole willing to sacrifice herself for him endlessly.
Roscoe had taught Austin well, and now, in Roscoeâs absence, Austin had taken on Roscoeâs role, doing his best to console Nicole.
The nanny looked on with joy.
Austin had always distanced himself, believing Nicole didnât love him.
What added to the complexity was Nicole appeared distant and cold when around Austin, despite her concern for him, almost as if she were holding herself back.
âs BunnyBookery Actually, Nicole didnât want Austin to rely too much on her, so when she eventually had to leave, it wouldnât shatter his world.
Nicole felt her own life was nearing its end, but Austinâs was only just beginning.
She didnât want to be the cause of his heartbreak.
After the nanny fed Austin a little, the doctor advised them to keep a close watch on Austin overnight because his fever might return.
Nicole immediately decided to stay by Austinâs side.
Typically, a fever would strengthen immunity, but for Austin, it was life-threatening because of his heart condition.
Nicole couldnât bear to leave.
The maid Jarrod had arranged and the nanny took turns caring for Austin, but the nanny was already worn out.
Nicole sent the nanny to rest and she took over, settling into the recliner by Austinâs bed.
She wrapped herself in a blanket, determined to keep watch.
Jarrodâs maid tried her best to help, but Austin didnât accept her fully, as she was new to him.
Sick children tend to be fussier than usual, and besides the nanny, Austin only wanted Nicole.
Even at his most difficult moments, he would refuse Nicole, only wanting the nanny.
During the night, Austinâs temperature rose again.
Nicole patiently changed his compresses and encouraged him to drink water.
She stayed by his side all night, and as dawn broke, so did Austinâs fever.
Nicole sighed deeply with relief, exhausted.
She leaned back in the chair and quickly fell into a deep sleep .
When the nanny arrived to take over, she noticed Nicole sleeping in the chair and worried it wasnât comfortable.
She tried calling out gently to wake Nicole up and let Nicole rest in bed.
âMiss?â she called, but Nicole didnât respond.
Already in poor health, Nicole was sleeping deeply after the ordeal.
The nanny reached out to nudge Nicole awake, but a firm, lean hand reached her first.
Jarrod lifted Nicole effortlessly into his arms.
Surprised, the nanny stammered, âMr.
Schultzâ¦â
But Jarrodâs sharp gaze silenced her.
In a low, firm voice, he warned, âYour job is to watch over Austin.
â
If it hadnât been for Austinâs mysterious crying fits at night, Jarrod would have already fired the nanny.
Upon being brought here, the nanny recognized Jarrod immediately as Austinâs biological father.
The resemblance was striking, as if they had been carved from the same mold.
Even their manner of speaking and gestures mirrored each other.