The Apple of My Eye

Sheryl ensured Charles had fallen asleep. Without making any noise, she moved and wanted to get up and go downstairs. But before she could leave, he reached for her arm and, holding her, showed no signs of letting go.

"Sher, don't go. Please don't leave me..." Charles' eyes were closed. It seemed like he was talking in his sleep.

Sheryl didn't say anything, but instead, she sat near him and let him hold her arm.

Charles wasn't awake; however, he felt relieved in his sleep, knowing she was near him. He continued to sleep peacefully.

After quite a while, Sheryl moved a little and checked if Charles would be disturbed. Realizing he was deep in sleep, she moved her hand and quietly walked out of the bedroom.

She was under the impression she was alone when she stepped out. But it turned out Melissa was still waiting on the first floor.

"Mother, why are you up so late?" Sheryl couldn't bear to see Melissa waiting for her. Also, she was a bit afraid to hear what her mother-in-law had to say.

"Sher, is Charles sleeping?" Melissa glanced upstairs and waved her hand, gesturing for Sheryl to approach her.

"Yes, he is. You should go back to bed now. I am leaving." After speaking, Sheryl prepared to leave.

Melissa didn't plan to let Sheryl go; hence, she grabbed her hand. "Sher, I know it was my fault. Can you forgive me?" she questioned, honestly looking guilty.

Sheryl had never expected such an apology from Melissa. According to her, Melissa hated her and would never change her impression. This apology left her at loss of words.

When they had been in Australia, Charles had mentioned to Sheryl everything that had happened between Melissa and Leila. Sheryl had figured that Melissa would undoubtedly accuse Leila of pushing her down the stairs. However, she hadn't expected that such a realization would happen so soon.

"Mother, we are a family. You have nothing to feel guilty about. I don't hold you responsible for anything." Sheryl felt embarrassed having Melissa apologize to her.

"But you are unwilling to live in Dream Garden. Is it because of me?" Melissa's voice started to tremble. She couldn't even muster up the courage to meet Sheryl's eyes.

Sheryl waved her hand and explained quickly, "No, Mother. You misunderstood me. I am just afraid that Charles and I will have many more conflicts in the future. I don't want to leave any room for such fighting. Hence, I am going to sort things out perfectly before we proceed. Don't worry. It has nothing to do with you."

She didn't want Melissa to feel guilty anymore. If the old lady's state of mind would get disturbed because of this, then Sheryl wouldn't be able to forgive herself. "Really?" Melissa looked at Sheryl in disbelief.

Sheryl nodded and smiled. "Yes, believe me. Now put your mind at ease."

"I am so glad that you don't blame me. Yet my heart pains to see you and the kids struggle. Can I please look after them?" Melissa stared at Sheryl, expectantly.

Sheryl knew that she couldn't deprive Melissa of the right to be a grandmother, nor did she have the power to prevent the kids from living with their grandma and their father.

"Hmm... During weekdays, they have kindergarten to attend; hence, it is better for them to live with me in the apartment. However, I will let them stay here on Saturdays and Sundays. How does that sound?" Sheryl still couldn't let go of the past. Memories of Leila haunted every corner of Dream Garden. There was no way she could return so easily.

"Okay, I will take what you can offer." Melissa knew Sheryl needed time. Hence, she thought it was best to let her do things her way.

"Mother, it's quite late now. I have to go back. Good night." After finishing her words, Sheryl once again got ready to leave.

"Sher, I am sorry," Melissa cried out all of a sudden.

Sheryl had never expected that Melissa would break down in front of her.

"Mother, don't feel guilty. What has happened has happened. You can't change the past," Sheryl said in a soothing voice. Going closer, Sheryl hugged Melissa gently and comforted her for a while before walking out of Dream Garden.

David was sure that Sheryl would go back to her residence. After all, he knew what had happened in Australia; hence, he had decided to wait outside.

Sheryl was surprised to see David as she came out.

"David, why haven't you left?" Sheryl asked, looking utterly confused.

"Ms. Xia, let me take you home," David offered as he smiled at Sheryl.

Sheryl was moved by David's thoughtfulness and got in the car instantly. Once inside, she said, "How did you know I would return? You are so smart!"

"The kids are in the apartment. So I figured you would go back to them," he answered with honesty. He rarely heard such compliments from Sheryl. Hence, he blushed a bit on hearing her remark. Noticing David's reaction, Sheryl couldn't help but laugh.

After a while, Sheryl started to talk with David. "David, how many years have you been working for Charles?"

Sheryl remembered that when she married Charles, David was already working for him. She thought it was nice for Charles to have an assistant he knew so well.

"Ms. Xia, now that you ask, I realize I have lost count of the years I have spent with Mr. Lu. But it will suffice to say that I started to follow Mr. Lu at a very young age." David hadn't expected Sheryl to ask such a question, so it took him a moment to answer.

"Anyway, I am sure this means you know him better than I do. Sometimes, I envy you for that." Sheryl closed her eyes after speaking and planned to take a rest.

Noticing this, David was sensible enough and stopped talking. But thoughts began to spiral inside his head. 'What on earth has happened to make her so emotional?' he wondered.

In no time, David drove to the building where Sheryl lived.

David turned to glance at Sheryl and wanted to wake her up, but he hesitated for a while. Just when he was debating whether he should wake her up, she opened her eyes.

"We have arrived here so fast! Thanks, David." Sheryl swiftly got out of the car and said goodbye to David.

David looked at Sheryl and watched her walk upstairs. He was relieved and felt fortunate as the trip had gone smoothly. What was more, the man from Australia hadn't come with her. It appeared that his boss wouldn't have to worry anymore.

While thinking of this, David felt content.

After going back to the apartment, Sheryl took a quick shower and went to bed.

The next day, it was quiet in Dream Garden.

Melissa realized how dull the place seemed without Sheryl and the kids. The memories she had with Leila flashed before her eyes, and she felt a grievance clutch at her heart.

"Nancy, go and check if Charles is awake now." Melissa stretched her body and glanced at Nancy. She believed it was late now, and Charles had to get up, so she ordered Nancy to wake him up. "Okay, my Lady. I am going to wake up Mr. Lu," Nancy replied and rushed upstairs.

In the main bedroom on the second floor, just when Charles prepared to get up, he heard a knock on the door. He asked the visitor to come in.

"Mr. Lu, you are already awake. In that case, let me inform you that breakfast is ready." Seeing that Charles had woken up, Nancy offered him breakfast.

"Okay, I am coming downstairs in a couple of minutes." Charles smiled at Nancy, and she went downstairs. Within a few minutes, he managed to get ready and came downstairs for breakfast.

As soon as he was done eating, Charles prepared to go to work. However, Melissa stopped him.