Ten minutes later, Landon brought Lauren to the ENT department. The doctor quickly did a series of checkups on Lauren while Landon and Angeline waited anxiously to the side.
âWill she be okay, doctor?â Landon finally asked.
âSome external trauma appears to have caused her eardrum to rupture,â the doctor replied truthfully.
Most of the cases I encounter result from severe slaps or punches. Some serious cases end up with long-
term tinnitus.â
Landon and Angelicaâs expressions fell as they feared for Laurenâs health.
âIs full recovery possible, doctor?â Angelica asked worriedly, as if she was Laurenâs sister.
âYes. The perforation isnât too big, and you sent her here without a momentâs delay, so it seems full recovery shouldâ¦.â
âShould?â Landon gritted out.
âIt will! Full recovery will occur! All thatâs needed is surgery and proper care afterward.â The doctor quickly corrected himself, frightened by Landonâs threatening glare.
âThat had better be the case.â Landon held Lauren in his arms protectively, warning the doctor, âOr this will be the last case you ever take on in your life.â
The ENT doctor nodded frantically.
Landon gently stroked Laurenâs back to calm her down, murmuring close to her right ear, âDonât be afraid.
Iâm here. Iâll make sure youâre okay.â
Angelica blushed just the slightest upon seeing this.
âI heard something about surgery, Landon?â Lauren whispered. She was shivering with fear as shel hugged Landonâs waist.
Landonâs tone softened. âYes. Just a tiny one. It wonât hurt.â
âBut I donât want to have surgery! I donât want to stay in the hospital! I donât want to!â Lauren cried, shaking her head.
Landon swallowed tensely, her movements causing a warm sensation to pool down south.
Landon cursed himself. This was not the time for him to dwell on those thoughts!
âDonât be scared. It really is just a minor surgery. Iâll be there with you from start to end-until you recover fully,â Landon promised.
âI still donât want to⦠Iâd rather become deaf than stay here!â Lauren whined through her sobs.
Angelica suddenly noticed that Lauren seemed to have a strange aversion toward the hospital, as if it triggered some deep, painful trauma of hers.
âAre you sure, Laurie? Are you sure you want to become a deaf person? You wonât be able to hear my voice anymore,â Landon responded.
Lauren pursed her lips but said nothing.
Landon slowly knelt before her, holding her hands and saying, âCan you do this surgery, please? For my sake? If not, your brotherâs going to skin me alive. Please, Laurie?â
Sure enough, his pleas worked.
Lauren rubbed her eyes, which were swollen from tears and nodded.