"Yes, Uncle Lance sent over a lot of delicious food," Chloe said in her childish voice, making sure to praise Lance.
Old Ashley nodded in agreement. "I heard you were sick. Mr. Mercer came over early in the morning, kept the kids company, and even did a set of math problems with them."
Hearing this, Deanna couldn't help but glance at the man beside her.
Lance noticed her gaze and said calmly, "Chloe and Gregory were very worried about you. Since there was no one else available in your household, I came to check on you."
Xavier, standing nearby, twitched his lips. Mr. Mercer had specifically come over, even postponing his morning work. Now he was downplaying it so much that Dr. Deanna wouldn't know how much he cared!
Although Deanna wasn't aware of these details, she was very grateful for Lance's help in taking care of the kids and her grandmother.
"Thank you for your trouble today, Mr. Mercer."
"It's nothing, just a small matter. You need to get better soon," Lance said, looking deeply at Deanna.
Deanna nodded.
They chatted for a while longer.
Perhaps the medication was taking effect; Deanna started feeling drowsy and went back to her room to sleep.
Unexpectedly, her condition worsened after this nap.
Maybe it was because she hadn't been sick for a long time that this illness triggered underlying issues in her body, making her recovery slow.
Later, Lance entered the room to check on Deanna and saw her in this state.
On the spacious bed, the woman slept restlessly.
Her small face was flushed with an abnormal redness, and her breathing was rapid and labored.
Seeing this, Lance immediately realized that Deanna's condition had worsened.
His expression changed instantly. Without thinking, he stepped forward, scooped her up in his arms, and strode out of the room.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Xavier in the living room and immediately ordered, "Get the car ready. We're going to the hospital."
Xavier was momentarily stunned but quickly responded and ran outside.
The two kids and Old Ashley were also frightened.
Realizing what was happening, they immediately followed Lance to the hospital.
The hospital had already been notified.
So when Lance arrived with Deanna, doctors and nurses were ready to receive her.
After some treatment to reduce her fever, Deanna's condition finally stabilized, though she remained unconscious.
Later, doctors and nurses brought Deanna out of the emergency room.
Seeing this, Lance and the others immediately stood up to meet them.
"Doctor, how is the patient?"
"Doctor, is my mommy okay?"
They spoke at once.
The doctor explained briefly, "The patient's condition has stabilized, but she needs to be observed overnight. Someone should handle the admission procedures."
"Thank you, doctor," Lance said, then instructed Xavier, "Go handle the admission procedures."
Xavier nodded and left.
Soon after, the procedures were completed, and Deanna was transferred to a VIP ward.
That night, Lance stayed by her side along with the two kids.
Old Ashley was sent home by Xavier due to her age.
In the quiet hospital room, Chloe and Gregory stayed by Deanna's bedside.
"Mommy, mommy..." Chloe called softly, feeling uneasy.
Deanna remained unresponsive due to her deep sleep, which only heightened Chloe's anxiety.
She tugged at Gregory's sleeve and asked anxiously, "Brother, why hasn't mommy woken up yet?"
"Don't worry, little one. Mommy is just sleeping," Gregory said, trying to comfort his sister as Deanna would usually do, gently patting her shoulder.
But he was also deeply worried inside.
As the only man in the family and with their mother sick, he couldn't afford to panic.
Despite his efforts, Chloe remained extremely worried. She remembered how Heidi from downstairs had fallen asleep and never woken up.
"Brother, I'm scared. Will mommy be like Heidi and never wake up?" Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes as she spoke, eventually bursting into tears. "I don't want mommy to leave like Heidi. I want mommy."
Seeing his sister cry so heartbrokenly, Gregory tried to comfort her but to no avail.
Lance felt a pang of sorrow watching his daughter cry. He immediately stepped forward and took her into his arms to soothe her.
"Don't cry. Your mommy will be fine. Trust me."
"Really?" Chloe looked at Lance with tear-filled eyes.
Lance nodded seriously. "Really."
Even so, Chloe remained worried.
She clung to Lance's shirt and said in a choked voice, "But I saw Heidi downstairs fall asleep and never wake up. I'm scared."
Finally understanding Chloe's fear, Lance couldn't help but smile wryly but continued to comfort her patiently.
"Don't worry. Your mommy's situation is different from Heidi's. She will wake up by tomorrow morning at the latest."
Perhaps his reassuring gaze convinced Chloe as she gradually stopped crying.
After some time had passed, Chloe fell asleep in Lance's arms from exhaustion.
But her small hand tightly gripping Lance's shirt revealed her inner anxiety.