Nicole tensed up, asking, “Who?”

Jarrod gazed at her, his eyes as deep and dark as the sea.

Nicole's anxiety intensified. She said once more, her voice shaky, "Cut to the chase, Jarrod. Who are you talking about?"

Jarrod stopped teasing. With a flick of his fingers, two familiar figures appeared at the top of the staircase.

The nanny was assisting a little boy as they walked toward Nicole.

Before the nanny could utter a word, tears streamed down her face.

“Miss...”

The little boy glanced at Nicole, hesitantly silent. For him, this mother was someone he yearned to love but felt too distant to approach. Their time together had been so limited. He was familiar only with the nanny and Roscoe, and now, someone claiming to be his father had shown up.

Nicole stood rooted to the spot as if paralyzed. How could this happen... How could they be here... At that moment, she wished that it was all just a dream, that none of this was real. But it wasn't a dream. Once more, it seemed the heavens remained indifferent to her distress.

Jarrod stepped closer, gently squatted down, and tenderly placed his hands on the little boy's shoulders. He whispered, “Austin, call her"

“Mom'."

Austin's eyes, heavy with longing, opened slightly. He had only ever called Nicole "Mom" in his dreams. Could this dream now be coming true? He suddenly had both a mom and a dad...

Nicole shivered from head to toe. Her fingernails pressed into her palms, drawing blood. She had an urge to scream, to let out a wild cry, but she held back, afraid of scaring Austin. All she could do was shake like a leaf.

"Mommy..." Austin's voice wavered.

Tears began to flood Nicole's cheeks, quickly overwhelming her. Her weeping started with soft sobs and then escalated into loud cries.

“Mm... Ah..."

Austin moved closer and embraced Nicole, his tears starting to fall.

"Mommy..."

After a while, Nicole wiped her tears and looked at Austin "Go play with the nanny for a bit. Mommy will come find you soon."

Austin nodded obediently and walked toward the nanny.