Jarrod, on the brink of turning away, halted at the sound, delivering a cold declaration, âYour custody now belongs to me.
Henceforth, Vicki assumes the role of your mother.
Keep that in mind.
â
Upon hearing this, Vickiâs heart soared with joy.
Her efforts hadnât been futile, after all.
Inducing illness in Austin and then seemingly tending to him throughout the night had proven advantageous, earning her favor.
âNo! I donât want that!â Austin shouted.
âI have my own mother.
I donât want anyone else to replace her.
Youâre a wicked person!â
Austin abruptly leaped from the bed and sprinted toward Jarrod, pummeling Jarrod with his small fists as he exclaimed, âYou cruel man, give me back my mother! Give her backâ¦â
âs BunnyBookery Jarrod silently departed.
Alec, compelled by necessity, urged, âAustin, speaking to your father in such a manner is unacceptable.
â
âHe isnât!â Austin vehemently exclaimed.
âHeâs not! In my heart, Roscoe is my father!â
Jarrod halted, his gaze piercing, as he uttered, âWhat did you just say?â
âI said Roscoe is my father, my only father.
â
Jarrod seized Austinâs collar, his eyes ablaze with fury.
âSilence! I am your damn father, and I will remain so for the entirety of your life!â
As a mere child, how could Austin endure Jarrodâs wrathful demeanor?
Tears streamed down his face instantly.
Nevertheless, he persisted, âNo⦠Youâre notâ¦â
Jarrod seized Austinâs collar from behind and swiftly elevated him to a considerable height.
Austin, gripped by a fear of heights and a sense of suffocation, quickly began to turn purple in the face.
âJarrod!â Vickiâs outcry reverberated, jolting Jarrod back to his senses.
She swiftly snatched Austin away, enfolding him tightly against her bosom, lamenting, âJarrod, the child is innocent.
Restrain your anger, and refrain from such actions, lest he be haunted by nightmares.
â
Austinâs coughing persisted as he remained ensconced in Vickiâs embrace.
Jarrod belatedly comprehended the runaway nature of his emotions.
This incident occurred in the presence of his own son.
Observing Austinâs fearful gaze, he realized the extent to which his anger had terrified him.
The phrase âIâm sorryâ lingered on Jarrodâs tongue countless times, yet he couldnât bring himself to utter it.
His fury still simmered from Austinâs claim about Roscoe being his father.
âYou look after him,â Jarrod directed Vicki.
He dreaded the resurgence of his emotional turmoil.
The mere mention of Roscoe by either of Austin and Nicole threatened to unravel him entirely.
Plus, Vickiâs earlier maternal instinct had stirred something within Jarrod.
In comparison, Vicki seemed infinitely more dependable.
Leaving Austin in her capable hands, with Vickiâs intelligence and her commitment to his happiness, she surely possessed the ability to provide excellent care for Austin.
Besides, it was only temporary.