**Original Text:**


    Herman had a remarkably cool head when it came to his parents'' marriage. Anastasia couldn''t help but admire that about him. It''s probably true what they say, you need to be outside the storm to see clearly. If you''re caught in it, it''s a whole different story.


    After hanging up the phone with Herman, Anastasia started her car and headed home. She had barely parked at the foot of her apartment building when her phone rang. It was the school, and Pattie had been injured. Anastasia sped to the school only to learn that Pattie had gotten into another fight. A ssmate had shed her forehead with a pair of scissors. Without wasting time on questions, Anastasia rushed Pattie to the hospital.


    Pattie''s forehead required five stitches, and Anastasia''s heart ached. She also worried about the scar. Pattie was a girl, and appearances mattered. A scar could lead to insecurities as she grew older. During the stitching, Pattie didn''t cry or fuss, even with just a bit of local anesthetic. Once the numbness wore off and she felt the pain, she still didn''t cry. The kid had grit.


    With a tender touch to Pattie''s wounded forehead, Anastasia asked, "What happened? Why did you fight again?" Pattie hung her head in silence, unwilling to speak. Anastasia sighed, not pressing further, and pulled Pattie into her arms. "I''m sorry, honey. I should have protected you better."


    After a moment nestled against her mother, Pattie looked up. "Mom, if I''m not good, will you leave me?" "Never," Anastasia''s voice wasced with emotion. "I''ll always want you." She knew Pattiecked a deep sense of security. "Did the other kids say something about you?"


    Pattie''s childhood hadn''t been easy. The damage inflicted by Penny and Leo West was indelible, despite their punishment byw. Pattie bit her lip and confessed, "They said you were a murderer. You''re not, and I couldn''t let them say that about you."


    Hearing this, Anastasia felt a pang in her heart. Pattie''s love for her was profound; it was why she had fought. "Sweetie, I''m so sorry you have to go through this," Anastasia said, her own heart heavy with guilt. "I don''t want to go to school anymore," Pattie said, looking away. "I''ll learn jewelry design from you, make lots of money, and take care of you and grandma."


    "That''s not an option," Anastasia said firmly. "You can''t give up on school. I struggled without a college degree. You need to get an education. It gives you choices. Do you understand? I''ll handle the school. You need to focus on your studies and ignore the nonsense others say. Can they gossip about you if you''re above them?"


    Pattie nodded, not fully grasping the concept. "Sorry, Mom." "It''s not your fault," Anastasia reassured her, kissing her cheek. "Let''s skip school today. I''ll get you a couple of days off. Let''s go home, and tonight, I''ll make you your favorite baked pork chops."


    "Okay," Pattie agreed, feeling averse to school for the moment. As Anastasia led Pattie out of the hospital, a familiar, heartrending cry echoed through the corridor. Instantly, she saw Cynthia running towards Room 8. Anastasia hadn''t known that Gianna was being treated in this hospital.


    Inside the room, Gianna couldn''t contain her grief. She clutched at Cynthia''s hand, desperate. "Mom, my face is ruined, it hurts so much. Help me, please." If Gianna hadn''t instinctively closed her eyes and blocked some of the acid with her hand, she might have lost her vision too. Gianna''s face was wrapped in bandages, with eighty percent burns. The acid had done significant damage; even the skin on her neck was corroding.


    **Enhanced Text:**


    Herman had a knack for staying cool about his parents'' marriage. Anastasia had to give him credit for that. They say you can see things more clearly from the outside. When you''re in the thick of it, it''s a whole different ball game.


    After hanging up with Herman, Anastasia fired up her car and headed home. She had barely parked when her phone buzzed. It was the school-Pattie was hurt. Anastasia zoomed over to the school and found out Pattie had been in another fight. A ssmate had shed her forehead with scissors. No time for questions, she whisked Pattie off to the hospital.


    Pattie''s forehead needed five stitches, and it broke Anastasia''s heart. She also worried about a scar. Being a girl, looks mattered, and a scar could mess with her confidence as she grew. Even with just a bit of anesthetic, Pattie didn''t cry or fuss during the stitching. When the numbness wore off and the pain kicked in, she still didn''t cry. The kid was tough.


    Gently touching Pattie''s bandaged forehead, Anastasia asked, "What happened? Why the fight?" Pattie just stared at the floor, not saying a word. Anastasia sighed, letting it go for now, and hugged her tight. "I''m so sorry, sweetie. I should''ve protected you better." After a moment, Pattie looked up. "Mom, if I''m bad, will you leave me?" "Never," Anastasia replied, her voice thick with emotion. "I''ll always want you." She knew Pattie felt deeply insecure. "Did the kids say something to you?"


    Pattie''s childhood had been rough. The trauma from Penny and Leo West was deep, despite their legal punishment. Pattie bit her lip and said, "They called you a murderer. You''re not, and I couldn''t let them say that."


    Anastasia''s heart ached. Pattie''s love for her was so strong; it made her fight back. "Oh, sweetie, I''m so sorry you have to deal with this," Anastasia said, feeling guilty. "I don''t want to go to school anymore," Pattie mumbled. "I''ll learn jewelry design from you, make tons of money, and take care of you and grandma."


    "That''s not happening," Anastasia said firmly. "Quitting school isn''t an option. I struggled without a college degree. You need an education for better choices. Understand? I''ll handle the school. You focus on your studies and ignore the gossip. Can they talk about you if you''re above them?"


    Pattie nodded, not fully getting it. "Sorry, Mom." "It''s not your fault," Anastasia reassured her, kissing her cheek. "Let''s skip school today. I''ll get you a few days off. Let''s go home. I''ll make your favorite baked pork chops tonight."


    "Okay," Pattie agreed, still wary of school. As Anastasia led Pattie out of the hospital, a familiar, gut-wrenching cry echoed down the hall. She saw Cynthia rushing into Room 8. Anastasia hadn''t known Gianna was being treated here.


    Inside, Gianna was a wreck. She clung to Cynthia, desperate. "Mom, my face is ruined. It hurts so bad. Help me, please." If Gianna hadn''t instinctively closed her eyes and shielded herself with her hand, she might have lost her eyesight too. Her face was wrapped in bandages, with burns covering eighty percent. The acid had done a number on her; even her neck was corroding.