Chapter 80

The four of them froze for several seconds, shocked at Tiffany's uncontrollable sobbing.

What was happening?

Joseph and Stephen rushed to comfort her, repeatedly asking why she was crying.

But Tiffany's expression remained unchanged—just tears, with no other response.

"Could she be upset because Mommy got hurt?" Joseph  speculated.

 Stephen echoed, "That must be it. She saw Mommy's burn and felt distressed but couldn't express it verbally."

"Does this count as a response from her?"

"Absolutely!"

For them, this was more exciting than winning the lottery, though seeing Tiffany's tear-filled eyes broke their hearts.

Julia finished rinsing her burn under cold water and hurried with Henry to Tiffany's side.

Henry knelt down and gathered Tiffany into his arms. "Tiffany, what's wrong?"

This was the first major emotional reaction Tiffany had shown since her autism diagnosis.

Julia, seeing her daughter cry so intensely for the first time, felt her heart clench. "Tiffany, what's the matter? Talk to me, sweetheart. Why are you suddenly crying? Did someone upset you?"

She knelt down too, reaching out to wipe Tiffany's tears.

To everyone's surprise, Tiffany pushed away from Henry and flung herself into Julia's arms. Her eyes fixed on Julia's reddened, burned arm, and she began to cry even harder.

Julia was stunned by this dramatic response—Tiffany had actually sought her embrace.

Despite her injured hand, Julia gently pulled Tiffany closer, carefully asking, "Tiffany, do you recognize me? Are you connecting with us now?"

The little girl in her arms seemed to understand and nodded, though her crying didn't subside.

Joseph, Stephen, and Henry all witnessed Tiffany's nod!

Their eyes lit up with hope as they gathered around, pointing to themselves and asking excitedly, "Do you recognize us too?"

Tiffany's attention remained completely fixed on Julia's injured arm, not even glancing their way.

Joseph and Stephen couldn't hide their disappointment.

Sensing their deflated spirits, Julia gently stroked Tiffany's head. "Joseph and Stephen are here too, and your daddy as well. Can you see them? They're always here for you."

As if hearing her words, Tiffany slowly lifted her head from Julia's chest, briefly looked at Joseph and Stephen, gave a slight nod, then immediately returned her focus to Julia.

Joseph exclaimed, "Mommy! Tiffany responded!"

Stephen cheered, "Tiffany's getting better!"

Joseph and Stephen could barely contain their excitement.

Julia followed their gaze back to Tiffany, who remained fixated on her injured arm.

She had thought bringing Tiffany out of her world would take much longer.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. Thank you for caring so much." Julia raised her arm for Tiffany to see.

After staring intently for several seconds, Tiffany carefully blew on the burn.

"That feels much better now that Tiffany blew on it," Julia said, and only then did Tiffany's tears begin to subside.

"Remember, I'm a doctor—a really good one. This little injury is nothing. I've applied medication, and it'll heal quickly." Julia stood up.

Tiffany's small hand remained clutched to Julia's clothing.

Julia added, "Would you like to come with me while I put on more medicine?"

Tiffany nodded eagerly, following Julia like a little shadow.

Julia sat with Tiffany on the living room sofa while Joseph and Stephen quickly brought the first aid kit.

Julia tried to apply the medication one-handed, struggling with her injured right hand.

Henry noticed her difficulty. "Let me help you."

Joseph and Stephen watched as Henry sat beside Julia and began applying the medication.

Due to the height difference, he had to kneel in front of her.

Julia felt suddenly tense, a ripple of emotion passing through her as she lowered her eyes. "Thank you."

"It's nothing."

Tiffany watched Henry's movements anxiously, afraid he might hurt Julia.

Her small hand was gripping Julia's clothes so tightly that she left damp marks from her nervous sweat.

Julia noticed and smiled reassuringly at her. "It doesn't hurt at all, really."

Tiffany blinked, still watching her arm intently.

Stephen, sitting close to Henry, couldn't help smiling at the scene. It was wonderful seeing his parents in such a harmonious moment.

Joseph tilted his head, studying them. "Mommy, is it serious? Will it blister?"

"Not at all. This burn cream is specially selected—it works wonders! I used it on you two when you were little rascals getting into trouble."

Joseph nodded, trusting his mother completely.

Henry applied multiple thick layers of cream, making sure he covered every inch of the burn.

He examined it repeatedly, extraordinarily careful.

Julia watched his focused expression, feeling an unexpected flutter of emotion.

Though it took less than a minute, the tension within her grew.

Henry looked up, inadvertently meeting Julia's gaze. "All done. What do you think?"

His deep voice broke the silence, and Julia quickly averted her eyes.

After examining his handiwork, she simply said, "Perfect, thank you."

Henry pressed his lips together, saying nothing. He believed he should be the one thanking her.

What Gregory couldn't accomplish, Julia had managed. Helping Tiffany was an enormous favor to him.

Tiffany tugged at Julia's dress.

Understanding her intention, Julia immediately showed her the arm. "See? Just as I promised—it's much better now. I would never lie to a child."

Tiffany studied the arm seriously, and upon confirming it wasn't serious, she looked up and gave Julia a small smile.

Julia and Henry exchanged astonished glances!

Tiffany had actually smiled?

Julia, noticing so many positive changes today, decided to test how much Tiffany had really improved.

"The medicine is working now. Does that make you feel better?" she asked carefully, holding her breath for Tiffany's reaction.

Henry did the same.

In response, Tiffany's smile deepened, more than before.

"Mommy, Tiffany is better!" Joseph and Stephen exclaimed, jumping off the sofa in excitement.

Julia had certainly noticed, but found herself overwhelmed with emotion.

She realized her eyes were moist as she hugged Tiffany tightly. "I'm so glad you're doing better. Please don't scare me like that again! I was so worried about you. Joseph and Stephen will be going back to preschool soon, and they'll look out for you. If anything bothers you, please tell us, okay?"

Tiffany obediently nodded, snuggling deeper into Julia's embrace.