Chapter 2 Joyce Is Awake

Tyler pulled his arm out of her grasp and said scathingly, "I thought you knew everything. So find it out yourself."

Jean felt her heart sink as she watched Tyler walk away from her. She clenched her fists, her face pale.

She was running out of time. She couldn't let this drag on for too long. Her family would never allow her to give birth to this baby. She had to leave Henkel before her pregnancy showed.

News of Jean asking for a divorce quickly reached the Michaels family.

When her mother, Dorothy Smith, found out, she immediately brought her back to the Michaels Residence.

As soon as Jean entered the living room, Dorothy rushed toward her. She slapped her across the face.

"Jean Michaels, are you trying to kill us all? Is it so difficult for you to stay with the Larson family? How dare you ask for a divorce!"

Jean's cheek was burning from the pain. She could feel it swelling. Sadness flashed in her eyes as she looked at her angry mother.

"Tyler is seeing a woman he brought back from abroad. It would be better if I initiated the divorce rather than waiting for him to divorce me. Mom, it's been three years. I don't want to live as Joyce anymore. I just want to be Jean Michaels, not Joyce Michaels or Mrs. Larson!"

Instead of sympathy, all she got for her rant was a panicked hand covering her mouth.

"Lower your voice!" Dorothy warned her through gritted teeth. "Isn't it enough that you almost killed your sister? Are you trying to get us all killed? If anything happens to the Michaels family, you won't have an easy time either!"

Jean scoffed at her mother's panic. She tried her best to control her emotions, but her tears flowed uncontrollably. "I did not harm anyone!"

Once she was calm enough, Dorothy pulled her hand away.

Then, she said resentfully, "Your sister is lying in the hospital right now because of you. Until she wakes up, you'll have to live as her. And that means staying with the Larsons! She sacrificed herself for you. So, you should pay her back by protecting what's supposed to be hers!"

Jean felt helpless. After a moment of silence, she said determinedly, "I don't care whether you allow it or not. I will leave the Larson family. If Tyler finds out that we've been lying to him for three years, the consequences would be even worse."

Dorothy was furious at her outburst. Just as she was about to punish Jean, her phone rang. It was a call from the hospital. Dorothy picked up the phone nervously.

"What? Did you just say that Joyce is awake?" Dorothy exclaimed.

Jean brightened at the news. She turned and left the living room immediately. Dorothy followed right behind her.

They went to the hospital.

Before Jean entered the ward, Dorothy grabbed her hand and warned, "If you say the wrong thing in front of your sister, I'll cut out your tongue."

The viciousness in her tone and expression scared Jean. "I'm your daughter too, Mom," she said.

Dorothy glared at her and went into the ward without answering. To her, Joyce was much more important.

"Joyce …" Dorothy entered the ward with tears in her eyes. She grabbed Joyce's hand as she sobbed. "Thank goodness you're awake."

Jean entered the ward as well. When she saw her parents fussing over Joyce, she secretly wiped away her tears.

Joyce was still weak from her coma. When Joyce saw Jean, she raised her hand toward her with a soft expression.

Jean went over to her immediately and took her hand. "You're finally awake, Joyce."