âVicki is here?â Jarrodâs gaze intensified.
The maid hastily responded, âYes, Miss Hampton is upstairs, keeping Austin company.
I descended to prepare some pumpkin porridge for him.
â
Jarrod scowled.
Since Austinâs arrival, Vicki hadnât been brought here again.
Despite Vicki expressing her desire to visit Austin, Jarrod seemed unaccountably unwilling.
âWho permitted her entry?â Jarrodâs displeasure was evident.
The maid was startled.
Wasnât Vicki his fiancée? Why did Jarrod deny her entry?
Alec promptly clarified, âMr.
Schultz, I escorted Miss Hampton here.
She mentioned having left behind an earring in the villa, and upon her arrival, a particular circumstance arose.
Austinâs usual nanny fell suddenly ill.
I arranged for the nanny to be taken to the hospital, and Miss Hampton volunteered to care for him.
â
Despite Alecâs lengthy explanation, Jarrodâs furrowed brow remained unrelieved.
In haste, Alec uttered, âI was unaware that Miss Hampton hadnât departed yetâ¦â
Before he could conclude, Jarrod had already ascended the stairs toward Austinâs room.
The door flung open with force.
Just as Jarrod poised to speak, he beheld Vicki reclining beside Austinâs bed, her eyes narrowed as if succumbing to slumber from exhaustion.
A basin of water and a cloth lay nearby, while another cloth adorned Austinâs forehead.
The maid who trailed behind hastened to clarify, âLast night, Austin inexplicably developed a fever.
Miss Hampton tended to him throughout the night, adamantly refusing medication, citing Austinâs frail constitution.
She opted for physical cooling instead.
Despite our entreaties for her to rest, her concern for Austin prevailed, compelling her to remain by his sideâ¦â
Jarrodâs demeanor softened upon hearing this.
Vicki appeared to be roused by the commotion.
She opened her eyes drowsily and beheld Jarrod, her countenance brightening.
âJarrod, youâve returned.
â
Jarrod nodded before suggesting, âIf youâre tired, grab some rest in the guest room.
â
Vicki said, âIâm not tired.
â She then deftly checked Austinâs temperature with her hand, demonstrating the proficiency seemingly acquired from last nightâs extensive monitoring.
A long sigh of relief escaped her, accompanied by a joyful proclamation, âHis fever has finally subsided.
I was so scared.
â
Vickiâs concern appeared genuine.
Jarrod said, âYou should rest now.
â
Just then, Austin stirred awake and caught sight of Jarrod, promptly inquiring, âMr.
Schultz, where is my mother?â
The way Austin addressed Jarrod struck a chord in Jarrod, instantly contorting his expression into one of intense displeasure.
Vicki urgently grasped Austinâs arm and said gently, âAustin, heâs your father.
You canât address him as Mr.
Schultz.
â
Austin gazed at Jarrod, yet refrained from addressing him as âdadâ.
Ultimately, he bypassed formalities and queried directly, âWhereâs my mother?â