1982 (#21) - The relationship between Leslie and Robert and Claire's catatonic state

Setting aside Vanessa's death, Lorie's trial and acquittal, as well as the struggles over the acquisition of Prentiss Industries and Brooks' custody, it's time to start a new life for Leslie. After Jonas' departure, she finds herself alone again trying to forget her feelings for Lance. Luckily for her, it's the lawyer Robert who is standing by her, who, after exonerating Lorie, hasn't had as much of a future with her as he'd hoped. However, it was at the trial that Robert got to know Leslie, with whom he first had a simple friendship, then a growing relationship that soon turned into love. Robert soon finds himself involved with Leslie, to whom he confides he is actually married despite his wife, Claire, who has been hospitalized in a psychiatric center in a catatonic state for fifteen years that has projected her out of the world. Robert then admits that he has a 16-year-old daughter, Angela, to whom he never had the courage to tell the truth and who therefore believes that her mother is dead. In the meantime Leslie gets to know Angela and there is an immediate connection between the two, so much so that Angela hopes she can be a good companion for her father. Soon, Leslie tells Robert that she thinks it's right to tell Angela the truth, and so Robert discusses the matter with her daughter. Angela cannot believe her father's words and immediately asks to visit her mother. The visit, however, turns out to be very different from what the girl had hoped: Claire finds herself in a complete state of shock and hardly reacts at all to stimuli. The doctors, however, urge Robert to pursue an innovative treatment, which could lead to new hopes. Robert, meanwhile, is officially engaged to Leslie and the two begin to think seriously about marriage: on the other hand, although not official, the law would allow Robert to divorce at any time. Angela at this point opposes the relationship between Robert and Leslie, she would like to step aside, despite Robert says it's time to move on with her life. But just when the two start planning their wedding date, the doctors inform Robert and a very happy Angela that Claire seems to be finally on the path to recovery. Leslie agrees to suspend their relationship to give Robert room to be with Claire, who quickly recovers and can finally embrace her daughter again. When the three of them decide to try to reunite their family, Leslie realizes it's time to leave Genoa City behind and go on a European concert tour with Maestro Fautsch.