Nicole opened the door and entered.
Jarrod was engrossed in the report he was holding, unaware of Nicoleâs presence.
Assuming it was Conor, he said without looking up, âJust leave it there.
â
Nicole observed a table loaded with untouched food and then glanced at the congee in her hand.
It seemed Jarrod had a sudden craving for congee.
The congee shop seemed familiar to her, reminiscent of one she often visited.
Without overthinking, Nicole placed the congee down and, noticing Jarrod still had not recognized her, she started to leave.
Just then, Jarrod glanced up and uncertainly called out, âNicole?â
Nicole paused and turned back to him, explaining, âConor wasnât feeling well, so he asked me to bring this over.
â
Jarrod paused and then said, âI thought you were here to see me.
â
His voice carried a hint of complaint.
Nicole was at a loss for words.
Since she was already here, she felt forced to say something.
âWhy arenât you eating? If you donât eat, your recovery will be even slower.
Austin is really concerned about you and keeps asking when you will come home.
â
Nicole was being honest.
Austin seemed to hold Jarrod in high regard.
During her visits, she had heard Austin ask about Jarrod twice.
Austin usually kept to himself and rarely showed interest in others.
Jarrod replied, âMy wound is painful.
I lost my appetite.
â He sounded really mad.
Nicole was not convinced and said, âDoreen is your family.
You took the hit, saving her from a worse punishment.
â
Nicole spoke the truth.
Without Jarrodâs support, Doreen would never have dared to act so recklessly.
Jarrod deserved the punishment.
Jarrod said, âYes, I spoiled them too much.
I wonât interfere in their affairs anymore.
â
Nicole was not there to hear his justifications.
They really didnât have much to discuss.
She said, âYou should eat the congee and get some rest.
Iâm leaving now.
â
Right as she was about to leave, Jarrod began to cough violently, the harsh sounds worsening his back injury and leaving him Looking particularly tortured.
Unable to just walk away, Nicole poured him a glass of water and offered.
âDrink this.
â
Jarrod looked at the glass, realizing Nicole did have a soft side around him.
Noticing his flushed face from the coughing, Nicole figured he was still struggling for air and said, âHave some water first.
â
Jarrod accepted the glass and drank the water.
The water indeed helped him feel better.
After he put the cup down, Nicole said, âGo ahead and eat.
Iâm heading out now.
â
Jarrod maintained a poker face and remained silent, and Nicole turned and headed for the door without waiting for his response.
Just as she was about to leave, a loud âthudâ sounded from behind her.
Jarrod had tumbled off the bed.