Upon hearing her father's words, Leticia felt as if struck by lightning, her mind exploding.
"What do you mean by telling me to reform myself inside, to behave? Aren't you going to care about me anymore? I am your only daughter!" she screamed hysterically.
Mrs. Walsh was frightened by her outburst.
Ernest's face turned even grimmer. "Indeed, your grandfather was right; you are stubborn and spoiled by your mother and me. Since we can't teach you properly, let the state educate you from now on. We're leaving."
With those words, he took Mrs. Walsh's hand and turned to leave.
It was then that Leticia realized what she had done.
In a panic, she called out to their retreating figures, "Mom, Dad, come back! I know I was wrong. Please come back and help me."
However, no matter how much she shouted, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh did not turn back.
Or rather, Mrs. Walsh wanted to look back but was forcefully pulled away by Ernest.
Meanwhile, as the Walsh family left Cloudmere, Lance immediately received the news.
He hung up the phone and returned to the hospital room, sharing the news with Deanna.
"The Walsh family has left; they must have given up on Leticia."
"Really given up?" Deanna found it hard to believe.
After all, Mrs. Walsh had previously gone to great lengths to save Leticia, even bothering Old Hughes.
Seeing her expression, Lance smiled, sat beside her, and pulled her into his arms. "Do you not trust me? The Walsh family might want to save Leticia, but they can't if I don't agree."
Hearing this, Deanna realized it must be related to business matters and said no more.
She wrapped her arms around the man in front of her, looked up gratefully, and said, "I'm lucky to have you. Thank you."
Lance looked at the delicate smile of the woman in his arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Is that all the thanks I get?"
"What about this?"
Deanna knew what he wanted; she used a bit of strength to prop herself up and planted a kiss on his lips.
A brief touch.
"Is that enough?"
Deanna gave Lance a sweet smile.
Lance's Adam's apple bobbed, something turbulent in his dark eyes, but he suppressed it.
His voice hoarse, he whispered, "You're injured now; I'll let you off for now. Once you're healed, I'll come to collect my thanks."
For the next two days, Deanna stayed in the hospital to recover.
Her grandchildren and grandmother visited her daily.
On the third day, feeling much better, Deanna wanted to go home.
But Lance was worried; after all, she had hit her head and lost a lot of blood.
"Stay two more days until we remove the bandages."
"I feel fine now."
Deanna knew he was concerned for her and coaxed him playfully.
Lance found it hard to resist but insisted, "Stop it; your health is most important now."
Hearing this, Deanna knew Lance wouldn't agree unless he was sure she was well,
"How about this? Let's have the doctor check me over. If there's nothing wrong, can we go home? I want to go home."
She thought of a compromise and once again coaxed Lance.
Eventually, Lance agreed.
Half an hour later, after the doctor's examination, he smiled at them both: "Miss Jones is fine now. The wound has scabbed over. Just rest well."
"Then I can go home?"
Deanna asked the doctor with a beaming smile.
The doctor nodded and advised, "Yes, you can. But don't cover the wound on your face with bandages anymore. Just apply medicine regularly and keep it dry."
Hearing this, Deanna touched the bandaged area on her face and nodded with a smile, "Okay, I understand."
Though she said this, she had no intention of removing the bandage.
After all, the scar was not small and lay across her left cheek.
Minutes later, they left the doctor's office.
Xavier had already packed their bags and was waiting in the hallway.
Seeing them come out, he approached respectfully: "Mr. Mercer, missus, the car is outside. Shall we go now?"
"Let's go." Deanna spoke cheerfully.
On the way home, Xavier suddenly mentioned: "By the way, Mr. Mercer, missus, about Leticia's trial-it came through. She was sentenced to ten years for aggravated assault."
"Ten years? That long?" Deanna was surprised.
Then she looked at Lance and asked: "Did you do this?"
"I said I would never let her off!"
Lance held Deanna tightly in his arms, his voice cold.
Leticia dared to harm Deanna time and again; she deserved his wrath!
Thinking this, he looked down at Deanna in his arms, his gaze falling on the white bandage. Remembering the doctor's advice, he thought to remove it.
Deanna seemed to sense his intention and quickly covered the bandage with her hand, nervously asking, "What are you doing?"
"The doctor said you don't need it anymore."
Lance hadn't noticed Deanna's discomfort yet and explained with a smile.