Herman rushed to get a doctor, exining Anastasia''s twitching fingers Doctors hurried over to examine Anastasia, but it seemed she showed no signs of waking up.


    The doctor said, "Mr. Salstrom, this could be a subconscious response of the patient. Still, it''s a good sign, indicating that she can still perceive the outside world" Herman furrowed his brow, asking. "How long until she wakes up?"


    The doctors shared a nce, looking ufortable They said. "In cases like these, it could be weeks or even months, or longer. It depends on the patients willpower. But seeing this response, if you keep talking to her, it should speed up the process." Despite their lengthy exnation, there was no definitive answer


    Pattie held Anastasia''s hand, looking at her feeling heartbroken. ''Please wake up soon, I miss you," She never used to say these words. But looking at Anastasia in hera, she couldn''t help but let them out, feeling truly upset.


    Pattie was devastated. Ana was the best person she had ever met, always telling her stories. After Pattie started kindergarten, she realized that other kids'' moms would tell stories too. Pattie loved the stories Ana told.


    Herman felt agitated, rubbing his face, and signaling the doctors to leave. He had hired the best doctors, but now all they could do was


    wait on the patient.


    In the following days, Herman took Pattie to see Anastasia every day. As they visited during Pattie''s school hours, Penny and her husband didn''t know. She never visited Pattie, and Leo was busy with work, often staying on-site for months on end, leaving him no time to care.


    Anastasia showed no signs of waking, as shey in bed like a vegetable. Monica and Lauren also visited daily, and after hearing the news, nna and Cynthia would also visit the hospital. One day.


    After visiting Anastasia, Herman took Pattie to school. There was a parent-child event at Pattie''s kindergarten that day, and Penny wouldn''t attend. As Pattie reached the entrance and saw Herman about to leave, she gathered up the courage to ask, "Can youe to the school event with me?" All the other kids'' parents would be there, but hers wouldn''t


    Herman thought for a moment, then took Pattie''s hand and walked in. Pattie smiled happily.


    On the kindergarten yground, many kids were preparing for the parent-child event. The parents gradually arrived


    Herman and Pattie sat on a small stool. "Pattie, do you have a performance prepared?" he asked, noticing other kids changing into


    costumes


    Pattie shook her head, her voice innocent. "No, I don''t know how."


    Herman patted Pattie''s head. "That''s okay. You started schoolter than them. You''ll leam in time; you''re the best."


    Encouraged, Pattie happily said, "Okay, I will study hard." Four-year-old Pattie understood how precious her opportunity to attend school


    was


    Just then, a kid ran over. "Pattie, Pattie, is this your dad? He''s so handsome!"


    Hearing the kid mistake Herman for her dad, Pattie exined with a smile, "No, he''s Herman. Herman, this is my friend Nina."


    Pattie liked Herman, but she also liked her own dad. In her heart, Leo was her dad. Even though he didn''t spend much time with her, he was very good to her, and she could feel it. Dad would secretly take her for burgers without letting Mom know.


    Pattie grew up in an orphanage, but she was less than three when Leo adopted her, and she didn''t remember much. The day Leo and Penny carne to adopt her, the director of the orphanage took her to meet the couple and told her, "Pattie, this is your mom and dad. They''re here to take you home."


    So Pattie alway''s thought that Leo and Penny were her parents, that her mom and dad hade to take her home. Hearing Pattie''s introduction, Herman felt a pang of disappointment in his heart. When the kid mistook him for Pattie''s dad, he''d felt a strange sensation. He had spent a lot of time with Pattie these past few days, and with girls being more affectionate and approachable than boys, she would even imitate him washing Anastasia''s face and hands in the hospital. Sometimes, Herman would feel as if Pattie were his own daughter.


    Hermanposed himself, greeting Nina warmly, "Hello"


    Nina politely responded, "Hello"


    Chap