Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
But Jarrod turned a deaf ear to Vicki. He didn’t respond at all.
Nicole was being treated inside, and he was worried sickly, not in the mood to care about Vicki’s emotions. He didn’t care about Vicki anyway.
Of course, Vicki noted his indifference to her. What she could normally tolerate had become unbearable whenever faced with something related to Nicole. She was so angry that she could even explode at any time.
Vicki clenched her fists tightly and looked at the closed door with darkened eyes. Then, she turned around to leave with a heart full of resentment.
At this moment, Jarrod thought of something and instructed Alec, “Go back to the villa first and check on Austin. See if the nanny has given him his medicine on time.”
At this time, Vicki had not gone far yet and was standing behind the corner. So, she heard what Jarrod said to Alec. And his every word was like a sharp knife that stabbed her heart. He didn’t care about her feelings at all. But he was very concerned about Nicole’s son.
A sad realization dawned on Vicki. No matter what, she was nothing compared to Nicole in Jarrod’s heart. Even Austin was more important than her.
When Alec was about to pass by the corner, Vicki walked out from behind and stopped him.
Vicki smiled sweetly and asked Alec, “Are you heading back to Jarrod’s villa? I think I left an earring there. Could I get a ride with you to look for it?”
Alec wasn’t in the position to refuse. Plus, Vicki used to visit there to have dinner with Jarrod before Austin moved in. There was also a guest room reserved specifically for her.
It was just that Alec was puzzled why Vicki and Jarrod rested in separate rooms even after the engagement. Logically, they were both adults, and it was normal to have certain needs.
Vicki wasn’t any average Jane. She had a figure and appearance that turned heads, plus a classy demeanor that drew people in.
Alec found it hard to comprehend why Jarrod didn’t feel a thing for Vicki. Even he would seek out women to satisfy his needs three to five times a week.
Alec had once suspected that Jarrod might have some issues with certain functions. Otherwise, a healthy man in his prime wouldn’t lack desire like that.
He vividly recalled what Jarrod was like when Nicole was around his side. Back then, Jarrod’s face would light up with charm, always full of desire. But with Vicki, that sparkle had vanished, replaced by a cold, distant demeanor.
Upon reaching the destination, Alec headed upstairs to check on Austin.
Vicki tagged along. When noting her lack of desire to locate her earring immediately, Alec asked, “Miss Hampton, weren’t you going to search for your earring?”
Vicki smiled. “I wanted to see Jarrod’s child.”
Alec was taken aback, unsure if Vicki was allowed to see Austin.
After all, Jarrod had never introduced Vicki to Austin before.
Vicki noticed Alec’s uncertainty and smiled. “Jarrod mentioned I could visit his child. But if you’re concerned, I won’t visit him then. You could dial Jarrod for instructions. I understand Jarrod’s quite worn out at the hospital, and I just want to help out…”
Hearing this, Alec couldn’t bring himself to refuse her, and he didn’t want to bother Jarrod with a call.
“It’s fine, Miss Hampton. You can see him,” Alec said, thinking that since Vicki might soon be Austin’s stepmother, it would be good for her to start bonding with Austin. And since he would be there to oversee, there was no cause for concern.
As they moved ahead, the door of Austin’s room creaked open, and a little boy’s cries reached their ears.
Alec, alarmed, hurried over to ask, “What’s wrong?”
Austin sobbed and said, “Help her. She is sick.”
Alec grasped Austin referred to the nanny who had been taking care of him.
Lying on the floor, the nanny’s face was pale and distressed.
Alec immediately summoned the family doctor over.
After the examination, the doctor explained, “It seems like an acute kidney stone issue, but we’ll need X-rays to be sure. We can’t do that here. If it is a stone, she might need surgery and hospitalization depending on its size.”
Upon hearing this, Alec quickly called for an ambulance. Austin continued to cry desperately, tugging at Alec’s sleeve. “Alec, save her, Please save her, Alec.”
The nanny had been with Austin since he was little, and he viewed her much like a real grandmother.
Austin clung to Alec, not as timid as he was with Jarrod, tears flooding his cheeks as he pleaded, “Alec, I want to stay by her side.”
Alec felt torn. The villa was quite a distance away from the hospital, so taking the nanny there would be quicker. However, Austin was just a child, and Alec wasn’t comfortable leaving him alone with the two unfamiliar maids.
At that moment, Vicki stepped in and said, “Alec, you take her to the hospital. I’ll stay here and look after him.”
Alec paused, uncertain if it was wise to leave Vicki with Austin.
Vicki reassured him, “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of him.”
Vicki bent down to Austin and gently said, “Hey, if you’re good and listen to me, Alec can take her to the hospital, okay?”
Austin, too young to understand Vicki’s intentions, felt relieved that someone was there to care for his nanny. He nodded vigorously.
“Okay, I’ll listen to you. Please help save her.”
This gave Alec some peace of mind, and he quickly helped the nanny into the car and headed off to the hospital.
Vicki asked the maids if Austin had any dietary restrictions and then dismissed them, wanting some time alone with Austin.
Since Vicki had dined at this villa often before, the maids saw her as the future mistress and didn’t dare to defy her. They obediently left.
Upon a closer inspection of Austin’s room, when compared to the villa’s black and white theme, Vicki found this room was well-decorated. Both the wall paintings and furniture placed in the room were quite fitting for a little boy. It was clear Jarrod deeply cared for this child.
A twinge of unease began to grow inside Vicki. She turned to the quiet boy and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Austin.” Austin had calmed down significantly from earlier. To him, Vicki was just another unfamiliar face, and he was naturally cautious around people he didn’t know. Just like Jarrod, he always kept his distance from strangers.
Vicki was inwardly seething with frustration, though she managed to keep a neutral face. When she saw Austin’s red face, she got an idea.
She walked over and opened the window, letting the cold breeze in.
Just as Vicki had expected, Austin sneezed.
“Austin, you seem cold. Maybe you should rest a bit,” Vicki suggested soothingly.
“I’m not cold.” Austin shook his head, determined. “I need to wait for her to come back.”
Vicki lowered her gaze and asked, “Austin, would you like to see your mom?”
Austin’s eyes widened. “Can I?” The nanny had told him he couldn’t see his mom or Roscoe just yet, explaining that his parents were sorting out some problems and he needed to be patient.
Vicki knew that children his age were capable of remembering things.
The idea of making him forget Nicole was futile, so why should she bother caring for another woman’s child? Raising someone else’s child?
That was out of the question.
“Of course you can,” Vicki promised. “If you listen to me, I’ll let you see your mom.
“Really?” Austin was still naive, and her promise immediately caught his interest.
“Of course it’s true. I even have pictures of your mom on my phone. Do you want to see?” Vicki offered.
Austin nodded eagerly, and Vicki showed him the photos she had snapped by chance of Nicole outside the courthouse. Fortunately, she hadn’t deleted them as they were perfect for this little deception.
“Isn’t this your mom?” Vicki asked.
Austin watched a video of his mother, vibrant and animated, and tears quickly filled his eyes. “Mommy… It’s Mommy…”
Austin turned eagerly to Vicki and asked with sincerity, “Vicki, when can I see my mommy?”
Austin longed to see Nicole, believing that meeting her might bring a chance to reunite with Roscoe, whom he missed terribly.
“If you do as I say, I’ll take you to see your mommy,” Vicki assured him softly.
“Okay, I’ll do as you say.” Austin nodded compliantly.
Vicki spoke softly. “Now, go to bed. You need to be well-rested and strong to visit your mommy, right?”
Austin agreed and quickly lay down to sleep.
Vicki’s voice was just loud enough to be heard by the servants outside the door. Jarrod had given strict instructions that Austin should never be left alone in a room.
Although Vicki was there, the servants were cautious about leaving her alone with Austin.
Reports of stepmothers mistreating their stepchildren were not uncommon, and these servants did not want to be responsible for any harm to Austin. However, as they listened to Vicki calmly and patiently soothe Austin, they felt somewhat reassured.
Unseen inside the room, Vicki had pulled the blanket off Austin, who had rosy cheeks, and laid him down on the bed in just his thin pajamas.
The half-open window angled just right, sending a breeze straight to Austin on the bed.
Vicki sat beside the bed, observing Austin who bore a strong resemblance to Jarrod, her eyes filled with envy. She whispered silently to herself, “You should never have been born.”
At the hospital.
Jarrod had been attentively watching over Nicole, observing the bruises covering her body. He remembered that even when they were together previously, she often appeared bruised.