Nicole was firm.
âFinish your porridge and your medicinal meal.
â
Austin bowed his head, eating in silence.
Jarrod set the soy milk in front of himself.
Nicole then questioned him, âWhy arenât you drinking it?â
Jarrod remained silent, his eyes shifting between the soy milk and her.
Confused by his look, Nicole reached for the soy milk, intending to drink it herself.
In a swift motion, Jarrod grabbed it from her hands.
âIâll drink it,â he declared.
Jarrod downed the soy milk quickly.
As he was about to refill his bowl, Nicole intervened.
Nicole placed Jarrodâs bowl on the table.
âToo much soy milk isnât good for you.
â
The shift in Jarrodâs expression left Nicole puzzled about its meaning.
She gestured toward the sandwiches.
âTry some of these.
â
âOkay.
Jarrod obediently picked up a sandwich and bit into it, savoring the flavor.
â
After finishing his meal and medicinal food, Austin stood up to leave.
With little appetite, Nicole sto od up as well.
âIâm done,â she announced.
This left Jarrod alone at the table.
When the housekeeper arrived later to clear the dishes, she noticed that most of the food was gone.
Jarrod typically had a disciplined breakfast, just coffee, a slice of bread, and half a steak.
Today, he had eaten much more.
The housekeeper credited Nicoleâs cooking skills for the change.
She cleared the table with a smile.
Jarrod went upstairs and found Nicole teaching Austin to read.
After watching for a moment, he left.
As soon as Jarrod entered his car, Alec, who was waiting inside, leaned closer.
âSir, you didnât eat anything that woman gave you, did you?â
Alecâs tone mixed concern with worry, fearing that Jarrod had fallen for Nicoleâs charms.
Jarrod remained silent, darkening Alecâs expression.
âYou ate it?â he asked incredulously.
âMind your own business,â Jarrod responded icily.
Exasperated, Alec said, âIf youâre so determined to risk your life, let me know.
I might as well die now if youâre going to.
â
Jarrod shot him a cold glance.
âWhat nonsense are you talking about?â
âIs it nonsense?â Alec challenged.
âYou know sheâs poisoning you, yet you still eat her food.
If thatâs not risking your life, what is?â