Once Austinâs dedicate nanny recovered and returned, Vicki would be relieved of the burden.
Vickiâs happiness radiated as she softly assured, âJarrod, rest assured, Iâll care for Austin as if he were my own.
â
With a nod, Jarrod departed.
Vicki gently smiled.
However, it swiftly vanished.
Glancing at Austin, Vicki admonished sternly, âSee? I warned you not to address your father like that, but you refused to listen.
Your father wonât permit you to visit your mother.
â
Austin remained visibly frightened, his voice strained.
âThen, when can I see my mother and Roscoe?â
Vickiâs mood lifted.
This child could be of use to her.
As long as Austin continued to mention Nicole and Roscoe in Jarrodâs presence, it would likely deepen Jarrodâs disdain for Austin and Nicole.
And all she managed to do was exacerbate the situation.
Vicki reverted to her gentle manner, smiling as she continued, âIf you wish to see them, only I can facilitate it, but you must promise to obey me.
â
Austin nodded in a daze.
Meanwhile, in the hospital ward, Nicole roused from sleep, her mind swirling with too many thoughts, rendering slumber unattainable.
She lay there with her eyes wide open until the afternoon when an unexpected visitor made a sudden appearance in her ward.
Vicki strolled into Nicoleâs ward uninvited and settled herself beside Nicoleâs hospital bed with a casual grin.
âHey Nicole, here again? Howâs everything?â
Nicole eyed Vicki warily, her voice flat.
âIâm okay.
But what brings you here, Miss Hampton?â
âI dropped by to see you,â Vicki said, her smile faltering just a bit.
Nicole sighed, her patience thinning.
âWeâre hardly friends.
If youâve got something to say, just get to the point.
â
Vickiâs tone shifted, a note of sincerity creeping in.
âWhy are you always so cold to me? What have I actually done to you?â
Nicole nearly chuckled at Vickiâs act.
She remembered everything from their last encounter outside the courthouse, especially Vickiâs manipulative threat involving her son, Austin.
That was a line she could never forgive.
Nicoleâs instincts as a mother were fierce.
If anyone threatened her son, sheâd fight tooth and nail to protect him.
âVicki, you know exactly what this is about,â Nicole stated plainly.
âHonestly, Nicole, I donât.
Help me understand,â Vicki replied, keeping up her charade.
Tired and wanting to end the conversation, Nicole closed her eyes.
âVicki, youâve said your hello.
If thereâs nothing else, I think itâs best you leave now.
Weâre done here.
â
Vickiâs expression darkened briefly before she looked at Nicole again.
Despite the pallor of illness, Nicoleâs presence was still striking, her vulnerability only adding layers to her already compelling allure.