Chapter 40 This Isn't Simple

The nurse, defying Rowan Blackwood's orders, hurried inside to attend to Marielle Duvall. Rowan glanced at Marielle, sleeping peacefully, then swiftly plucked a strand of her hair and returned home. Selina Vaughn rushed to meet him the moment he stepped in, weeping uncontrollably, her face streaked with tears and snot. "Rowan, I didn't mean to! I only wanted to teach Reese a lesson—I never imagined the boy would be so stubborn. I'm sorry, truly sorry. It's all my fault." Rowan felt a flicker of irritation at her dramatic display. "Enough. I know you acted out of concern. How's Reese? Has the family doctor seen him?" "The doctor is still with him." Her eyes were swollen from crying—she seemed genuinely distressed. Rowan strode into Reese's room without another word. Selina followed close behind. Reese's face was flushed, shivering and murmuring "cold" over and over. The sight tugged at Rowan's heart. "No more physical punishment when disciplining the child." "I understand. I'll never do