This was the place that sheltered her from wind and rain. She did not need to worry about getting hurt here.
“Joan, why are you back?”
Surprise was evident in her mother's voice.
She wasted no time in expressing concern for her daughter's wellbeing and chastised Joan for getting skinnier. On the other hand, Joan's father was smiling with relief as he stood beside her mom, pretending to be calm about her return.
After going through the whole ordeal with Larry, Joan was afraid to return home to her parents.
She was worried that she would break down and cry in front of them, causing them great worry.
“I just came back to see you. There is something
that I would like to discuss with the two of you.”
Joan took a deep breath and said to her parents sweetly.
“Come, sit down. There is no need to hurry. Let me cook you a meal.”
In the blink of an eye, Mrs. Watts prepared a feast.
While they were eating, Mr. Watts asked affably, “So Joan, what did you want to discuss with us?”
Joan told them that she needed to go to A Nation to follow up on her condition and her plan to stay abroad. However, her lips were sealed when it came to her recent misfortune. She did not disclose anything about that.
“I understand that the follow-up is crucial. As for going overseas on your own... Do you have any idea how difficult it is for you to live there all by yourself? asked Mr. Watts solemnly.
“Don't worry, Dad. I'm all grown up now. I can take good care of myself,” answered Joan.
She tried to make light of her plan.
“Joan, I don't agree with you going abroad and staying there alone. You should come home right away after the check-up. I don't want you to suffer hardships on your own over there.” Mrs. Watts' eyes watered as she spoke.
“Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. We will wait until you get treated before we discuss anything else concerning the future.”
Mr. Watts concluded the discussion with a tone of finality. The family then enjoyed their precious time together.
In Larry's room.
“Caspian, what are the results of your investigation?” Larry asked the bodyguard next to him.
“I have completed the investigation, Sir. Dustin Silverman is the doctor who treated Joan Watts a few years ago,” he answered respectfully.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Touch of Sweetness novel (Finnick and Vivian)