Kayla muttered, "Mom really goes overboard; I don't need all this. Why bother sending it?" The bodyguard handed her several paper bags. "Ms. Kayla, Mrs. Fuller made these cakes and cookies for you," he said.

She accepted them, opening each bag and smiling at Felicia, who stood by the door. "Mom's baking is great; they're all my favorite flavors," she announced. "Felicia, you've never tried her baking, have you? Want to stay and have some?" Felicia, without replying, left.

As she stepped outside the sanatorium, Felicia paused. Kayla had acted strangely; almost like a different person. Her every move and word felt unsettling. Felicia turned and re-entered, approaching the nurse to inquire about Kayla's condition.

The nurse replied, "She was doing very poorly. She caused daily disturbances—breaking things, even attacking people! Several of us were hurt. A few days ago, she tried to stab someone in the cafeteria with a fork. We stopped her, thankfully; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable. The wound on her forehead is from a fall during that scuffle."

Felicia grasped a critical detail. "She was in bad shape before. How is she now?"

"Much better! She cooperates with her medication and injections, but she doesn't interact much. Sometimes, she sits alone in her room all day."

"Has she contacted anyone outside recently?" Felicia asked.

"No, only family visits are allowed."

"Any unusual behavior?"

The nurse pondered. "If you mean strange behavior, she's been sitting alone and laughing a lot lately. Does that count?"

"When did that start?"

"About three or four days ago, right after she hit her head. Since then, she's been calmer, stopped attacking people, and doesn't cause trouble."

Even as Felicia left, she considered the nurse's words. Kayla's previous violent outbursts were consistent with her character. To fall so far—murder charges, then confinement here—how could Kayla possibly accept it all? Yet, since her head injury, she had been calm, compliant, and unproblematic. Had she truly changed? Or had she simply accepted reality, realizing that outbursts were futile and a change in demeanor might earn Myra's sympathy? Release depended on Myra's softening, and that seemed only a matter of time.

Felicia pondered this, ultimately deciding to set it aside for now.

After dropping off the items, the bodyguard was about to leave when Kayla called him back. "Rowan, wait! Please give this to my mom for me. Thank you!"

Rowan was surprised and somewhat flattered. He knew her volatile temper well; she'd mocked him countless times. Never did he expect this. The once spoiled girl was now softened, speaking politely, smiling brightly. It was sad, even pitiful. He accepted the item.

Returning to the Fuller residence, he gave it to Myra. It was a red-thread charm for protection, similar to the scarf Kayla had made.