Love You Enough to Leave You

Chapter 558

Laura groaned and gradually woke up. When she opened her eyes, she seemed disoriented, but her gaze cleared up soon as she saw Jennifer. Yet, she became agitated after catching sight of Amelia.

“Jennifer, why is she here? Why did you bring her here after what she had put me through? Get her out of here. I don't want to see her!” she yelled emotionally.

Jennifer hurried to Laura and bent over to hold the latter's hands. It was evident that she was hot with emotion.

“Mom, do you know who I am?” she asked with red-rimmed eyes.

Ever since Laura was admitted to the psychiatric hospital, her mental condition had been unstable, and she also suffered from episodes repeatedly. Sometimes, she could recognize her husband and daughter. However, it only lasted fleetingly every time. Moreover, she could not think as clearly, so it was rare for her to speak more than one sentence, much less identify others.

Thus, one could imagine how elated Jennifer was.

Laura calmed down and said, “Did something happen to me? You're my daughter. Of course, I know you.” Distracted by her daughter's question, she forgot about Amelia, whom she loathed, for a moment.

After saying that, she reached out to touch Jennifer's face, only to find that her movement was restricted. Looking downward, she belatedly realized that she was bound to the bed.

Laura looked at Jennifer in horror and shouted furiously, “Jennifer, what is this? Why are you doing this to me? Hurry up and untie me! I'm your mother!”

Upon hearing that, Jennifer felt as though a dagger had stabbed her heart, and she did not know how to explain it to Laura.

“Mom, calm down. Something went wrong with your body, and you even banged your head against the wall. The doctor had to tie you up to stop you from hurting yourself. But don't worry. You'll definitely be cured. Dad and I will never give up on treating you,” she said while weeping.

At that, Laura slowly regained her composure.

“Where am I?” she then asked. Her expression made it seem like she had forgotten everything that had happened.

“Mom, did you forget about everything?” Jennifer asked in disbelief as she stared at her skeptically.

“I feel like I've been dreaming this whole time. I kept seeing the Grim Reaper, and I was stuck in a small dark house. I was frightened, and I screamed at the top of my lungs many times for help, but nobody came. Instead, many fearsome creatures appeared before my eyes, and I was terrified...” Laura's face twisted when she tried to recall her memories. Her voice trembled from fear as she continued, “They were so scary. I was scared to death, but none of you came to save me.”

Jennifer hurriedly held her down to stop the latter from struggling. “Mom, calm down. It was just a dream; it's not real. Look at you. Aren't you safe and sound now? Everything is okay. You're fine now since you're awake. Don't worry. I'll stay by your side. Dad has something holding him up, but he will be here soon. We will protect you.”

Only after receiving her reassurance did she gradually recover her repose. “Was that really a dream?”

Jennifer nodded and said, “Mom, you harmed yourself because you sleepwalked. Dad and I were worried sick, so we sent you here for treatment, thinking that you would fare better with the doctor to take care of you. But you hit your head against the wall every night. At one point, you nearly killed yourself, so we had no choice but to get them to tie you up. Although it pains us to see you go through that, we can't afford to lose you.”

At last, Laura settled down.

However, her gaze darkened when she spotted Amelia from the corner of her eyes. “Why is she here?”

“I brought her here because I want her to know what Oscar has done to you. I also want her to know I'm not getting back at her for no reason,” Jennifer said maliciously as she narrowed her eyes.

Laura instinctively shivered at the mention of Oscar, as the trauma he inflicted on her was seared into her brain like a nightmare.

Looking weary, she said, “Ask her to leave. I don't want to see her.”

Jennifer nodded and straightened her body before uttering coldly, “Amelia, get out now. I'll let bygones be bygones if my mom has recovered. After all, we can't do anything to the Clintons. We're not that foolish to start a war that would only end in our defeat. However, I believe that what goes around comes around. May your family fall apart soon!”

Amelia shot her a look filled with conflicting feelings before turning around and walking out of the ward.

As soon as she left, Jennifer summoned the doctor, who gave Laura a checkup and discovered that she had recovered miraculously. Not only could she speak articulately, but she also could think coherently. It was as though Laura's early maniacal behavior was just a dream.

Consequently, the doctor unbound Laura and said, “Ms. Larson, it looks like Mrs. Larson is fine now. However, I suggest taking her for another checkup in the hospital to be safe. However, I've never seen a case like hers. Normally, it's very difficult for a psychiatric patient who suffers from hallucinations to recover. I must say that it's a miracle to see her regain her consciousness so quickly.”

“Has my mom truly recovered?” Jennifer was a little skeptical at first. Despite the affirmation from the doctor, she still felt like it was too good to be true.

“Yes. She's fine now. But, I still recommend a checkup in a hospital in the urban area. After all, it's only a psychiatric hospital here,” the doctor replied.

“Okay. I'll do so. Can my mom be discharged now?”

“Sure. Let me arrange for the interhospital transfer. You can take Mrs. Larson to the hospital in the city now. By the way, her body is rather weak, so she will need to undergo proper recuperation.”

Jennifer nodded vehemently, keeping the doctor's words in her mind.

After the doctor left the ward, Laura, who sat on the bed, looked at Jennifer with an odd gaze. “Jennifer, this is a psychiatric hospital?”

Jennifer bent over and answered, “Yes. Mom, your condition was critical, so the doctor suggested that we send you here for treatment. We didn't have a choice. But this place is well equipped and tranquil, and there is no yelling and screaming from the other psychiatric patients as imagined by others. Therefore, we thought it was a suitable place for your recovery. Now that you're back on your feet, we can leave here a moment later.”

Laura curled her lips into a faint smile.

She then gently stroked Jennifer's cheek and said, “Jennifer, you must've had a hard time. Look at you. You've lost so much weight. It's all my fault.”

Nuzzling against her hand, Jennifer comforted her, “Mom, don't say that. You're my family, so it's my duty to take care of you. I'm glad to see you getting well, but I'll still be willing to look after you for the rest of my life even if you can't recover. By the way, I bet Dad will be exhilarated to see you when he comes over later.”

All of a sudden, Laura appeared a little disoriented. “Jennifer, I actually feel bitter. I can't allow myself to leave like a coward after the Clintons have harmed me to such a state. Avenge me, Jennifer. I want to turn their family upside down,” she muttered.

Jennifer looked into her eyes and said hurriedly, “Mom, you haven't fully recovered. Your utmost priority now is to recuperate. As for the Clinton family, I won't sit back and do nothing. I'll ensure that your suffering won't be in vain. One day, you'll witness Oscar pay a heavy price for what he has done to you. Please rest assured.”

“Jennifer, your words set my mind at ease. I can't remember what happened to me during this time, but everything in my dream felt so real that I still couldn't forget them. I think they would haunt me for the rest of my life. I must do something to let off my steam. Otherwise, I can never be at peace,” Laura said.

“Mom, don't worry. You'll get even with them,” Jennifer promised.