Later, Deanna and Julia played outside until the two little ones finished school, and then they headed to the kindergarten.
The two little ones were ecstatic to see their mommy after such a long time.
"Oh my God, it's really mommy!"
"Mommy, you're finally back. I missed you so much."
They clung to Deanna's legs, exaggerating their longing.
Seeing the attachment on their faces, Deanna felt both guilty and moved.
Deanna had never been away from the two little ones for so long. Even when she traveled before, they could still keep in touch by phone. But this time, by the time she finished her work, the two little ones were already asleep, and when she woke up in the morning, they had already gone to school. So they kept missing each other.
"Mommy missed you too."
Deanna hugged the two little ones tightly, responding to their longing.
Julia watched the warm interaction among the three and stood by with a smile, not interrupting.
After a while, the four of them set off on their way back.
At the manor, Old Ashley had already received news of Deanna's return and had the kitchen prepare dishes that her granddaughter liked.
She also didn't forget to have someone clean the master bedroom.
As the sun set, she saw Deanna walking in with the two little ones from outside. Her face wrinkled with a smile as she quickly went to greet them. "You're back."
"Grandma."
Deanna smiled warmly at her.
The two little ones and Julia also greeted politely.
Old Ashley nodded at them and then looked back at Deanna with a pained expression. "You've lost weight. Haven't you been taking care of yourself over there?"
"No way, with Lance watching over me, how could I not take care of myself?"
Deanna denied it outright, mainly not wanting her grandma to worry.
Old Ashley knew that this girl always reported good news but not bad. Even if she knew Deanna wasn't telling the truth, she didn't press further.
Since Deanna was back, the old lady planned to take good care of her in the coming days.
With that, she ushered everyone into the living room.
When she saw that Deanna hadn't brought any luggage back, she instinctively asked, "Didn't you bring any luggage back today?"
"Well, I'm only back for one night. I have to go back there tomorrow."
Deanna nodded and explained the situation honestly.
This made the old lady, who had been smiling, frown immediately. "Why do you have to go back?"
Seeing this, Deanna patiently explained, "Because the work isn't finished yet, I have to stay there for a while longer. But it's almost done; the work is nearing its end."
Hearing this, Old Ashley couldn't say much more and just reminded Deanna to take good care of herself.
The two little ones also nodded in agreement.
"That's right, mommy. You have to take good care of yourself, or we'll worry."
"Mommy looks thinner this time. It makes me feel sad."
Seeing this, Deanna could only repeatedly promise to take good care of herself.
While they were chatting, Lance and Landon returned from outside together.
"Daddy! Uncle!"
The two little ones ran over joyfully.
Seeing this, Lance and Landon each picked up one little one and asked in unison,
"Did you miss daddy?"
"Did you miss uncle?"
After speaking, they glanced at each other.
Landon was the first to say, "I didn't expect Mr. Mercer and I would be so in sync one day."
Lance nodded indifferently and walked towards Deanna with the little one in his arms.
Watching the man walk away, Landon shrugged nonchalantly and followed.
After some small talk, everyone moved to the dining room.
As dish after dish of delicious food was placed on the table, everyone's appetite was whetted, and they were ready to eat.
But at that moment, something unusual happened with Julia.
Julia, who had been fine earlier, suddenly seemed to be holding back something. Finally unable to bear it any longer, she covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom while dry heaving.
Deanna frowned tightly at this sight.
Old Ashley and the two little ones were also very worried.
"What's wrong with Julia?"
"Mommy, is Godmother sick?"
Hearing this, Deanna stood up and said to the others, "You guys go ahead and eat. I'll go check on Julia."
With that, she quickly followed in the direction Julia had gone.
Guided by a servant, she arrived outside the bathroom and heard sounds of vomiting from inside.
Worriedly, she knocked on the door. "Julia, open the door. Let me take a look at you."
Shortly after she spoke, the bathroom door opened from inside.
Deanna pushed the door open and saw Julia's haggard face. Without saying a word, she grabbed Julia's arm and began checking her pulse.
Within seconds, Deanna's expression changed dramatically. She looked at her friend in shock and uncertainty.
Julia noticed her reaction and looked over worriedly. "What's wrong? Do I have a serious illness?"
"You're... pregnant!"
Deanna looked at her with a complex expression.
Julia staggered backward in shock, knocking over a vase on the sink.