The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1093 It Was Her Ace In The Hole

Melissa had spent her last fifteen years locked up in a cell.

It had only been a few days since she got released, and she was still getting used to the life of a free man. Because of this, everyone was expected to be extra patient and understanding when dealing with her. This was Melissa's ace in the hole, which was also the base for her to act completely without scruple.

"Alright, I know it. Say no more. I'll just do as you say. It's not like I have an opinion," Sheryl interrupted Charles. He had said enough, and she didn't want to listen to those words anymore.

"Sher, I'm sorry, but believe me, I will bring our life back to normal soon. When Mom has gotten used to living in this house and her new life, I will have a good talk with her. I won't allow her to break us apart. I just need some time. Sher, will you give me some time?" Charles asked her with deep affection.

Sheryl felt Charles' bewilderment in his words. She understood that he was right now in a pickle. Since Melissa was his mother, he could not defy her. Therefore, she had to compromise as well. She nodded faintly with a forced smile.

"Okay then, let's go and have supper now." Charles felt relieved when he finally saw Sheryl smile. He walked up to hold Sheryl's hand, so they could come and dine together.

But Sheryl didn't move from her seat. She just shook her head and said, "Charles, I am really not hungry, so I think I'll pass. You may go ahead and eat with your mother. I am going to take a bath now, so I can go to bed afterwards. I am so tired." Sheryl had already accepted the fact that she had to share the same bed with her mother-in-law every night. So she decided that she would rather sleep before Melissa returned to her bedroom.

She thought that she should limit interactions with Melissa to avoid conflicts. She didn't want to face her when they were alone in the room, and she was also afraid that Melissa would end up telling her annoying things when she was awake.

"Are you sure that you're not hungry?" Charles asked with concern, his eyebrows furrowed. "Yes, I'm really not hungry. I think your mom would be happier if I wouldn't join you during supper.

I am tired and drowsy anyway. I rather go to bed early. So why don't you go now? She must already be waiting for you," Sheryl answered as she stretched her arms and yawned.

Charles didn't insist when he saw that Sheryl was indeed tired. "Okay, but if you feel hungry at midnight, you can send me a text message," he said softly. ?And to show his loving care, he added, "I will get up and cook for you, dear."

"I get it," replied Sheryl with a knowing smile. At this moment, she seemed to feel the warmth that existed only between her and Charles, the warmth to be remembered and savored, the warmth that was fading after Melissa came to Dream Garden to live with them.

"Well, alright then, you go and take a bath, and have a good rest. I'll go to have supper now. If you need anything anytime, just tell me," Charles reminded her lovingly. He went downstairs afterwards. "Why isn't Sher with you? Have you told her it's dinner time?" asked Melissa when she saw Charles alone. She made sure that she appeared to be a thoughtful mother-in-law in front of her son. Charles could tell his mother's intended meaning, but he didn't put it bluntly. Instead, he replied, "Mom, she's not hungry. She's taking a bath now."

"Charles, is Sher still angry at me? If yes, I think I'd better go and apologize to her. I don't want to see my beloved daughter-in-law starve because of me," Melissa hurriedly said in a concerned tone. She paused to see if Charles was listening to her. "I know she is not quite willing to share the same bed with me. If that's the case, I can sleep alone at night. I'll just get some light sleep, so Sher can—" "Mom, listen to me," Charles interrupted. "Sher is not angry at you. She's not hungry, and wants to go to bed early. Don't think too much. Let's have supper now," Charles explained impatiently with a tough tone.

If Melissa said this before he talked with Sheryl, he might have believed her.

But now, he would always think twice on whether she meant it or had another underlying meaning lurking in it.

So while reflecting on this, he didn't want his mother to go on talking.

Melissa could also feel his son's attitude getting somewhat tough, wondering what Sher had said to him just now. At this moment, she was not sure whether his son was on the same side as her. She piled up a smile before she commented, "Alright, alright, I won't talk anymore. Let's have supper now."

That night, when Melissa went back to her room, Sheryl had already been fast asleep. It was only her and Sheryl in this room at the moment. She felt disgusted to see Sheryl lying in bed sleeping soundly. Yet she knew it would take some time to achieve her goal, and she understood quick success wouldn't be available. One good thing for her was that Sheryl was sleeping in her bedroom. As long as it remained so, she could have things under control.

Sheryl slept well that night. When the alarm clock rang the next morning, she got up and went to wake up her children, Clark and Shirley. She helped them wash and get dressed, then served them breakfast. After breakfast, Sheryl said to their servant, "Nancy, I am going to send Clark and Shirley to kindergarten now. Tell Charles when he gets up, thanks."

"Yes, I will," replied Nancy, nodding her head.

But then she could not help but call to Sheryl, "Sher, I have something to tell you."

"What is it, Nancy?" she asked curiously. 'What could she possibly want to tell me at this time of the day?' Sheryl thought.

Nancy then pulled her to a place where the children could not hear their conversation, and said in a whisper, "Sher, Mrs. Lu, she... she doesn't seem to like you very much. You shall be more careful in the coming days, and do not listen to everything that she says, you know?"

Looking quite worried, Nancy looked around to make sure no one saw them talking.

Nancy had been thinking about it for a long time before she approached Sheryl, for she was uncertain whether it was appropriate to say this kind of words as a servant. But she decided she should tell her about it out of conscience.

Hearing Nancy's sincere words, Sheryl smiled happily. She felt warm in her heart all of a sudden. "Nancy, I feel really glad that you are so kind to me. Yes, I know that as well, but no matter what she thinks of me or asks me to do, she is still Charles' mother. Nothing can change that. I shall give her my respect. I believe everything will be fine and we can live harmoniously together, with my children as long as I appear to be submissive."

"Sher, don't think so lightly of it. You're just not sophisticated enough to deal with the relationship between you and your mother-in-law in this family. If you simply put up with it and accept whatever requests she raises, she may not stop and be more overbearing. That's how things are going on. She would just reach out for a yard after taking an inch. I have seen many cases of other wealthy families before, and it's always like this. Listen to me, don't be too accommodating..."

The servant couldn't finish her words.

"Nancy, I know. I am well aware of what's happening in this family, and I know what I shall do and shall not do. You don't have to worry about me,"

Sheryl assured her.

On their way to the kindergarten, Clark looked at his mother's face and asked with much concern, "Mom, does Grandma not like you?"

"Clark, why are you asking such question? Who told you this?" queried Sheryl, a little bit shocked at her son's question. Looking at his little and solemn face, she felt slightly sorrowful. She didn't expect that even her son would feel the tension between her and Melissa.

"No one told me that. I just noticed it myself. Mom, I am not a fool. I can see that Grandma is not being good to you," Clark said, blinking his innocent eyes. Children were the most innocent. They wouldn't lie. "Clark, you are a smart boy, but you may have misunderstood your grandma. Why would you think that she doesn't like me? It's only because your grandma just came back home from another place, and she's still not quite accustomed to living with us, so she may act a little differently. She just needs some time to adjust herself,"

Sheryl tried to explain and kept the truth from her son. He was only three years old. It would be too stressful for a boy to know the real score.

Clark raised his head to look at his mother and said, "Mom, you don't have to hide it from me. I know it. I just want to tell you that no matter what happens and when it happens, I will always be your son. I will always stay by your side."

Those words were not something a three-year-old child would say. Clark was such a sweet boy that he touched his mother's heart.

It was the second time this morning that Sheryl felt the warmth of someone caring for her. She had more confidence in the future, with her children by her side. "Okay, my good boy. Mom knows it." "Mom, sometimes when I hear you and Grandma talking, you look unhappy. I don't know what you are talking about, but you can be sure that I stand by your side too," Shirley said. She looked up at her mother with her innocent eyes sparkling.

"Good. Mommy is so lucky to have two good angels always by my side," Sheryl couldn't help it. Her tears started to roll from her eyes. Sheryl was deeply touched by her children's words. They loved their mother so much. Sheryl was grateful that she had two lovely children to support her. At that moment, she was determined to defend her love and her family regardless of what was coming to her. She would live happily with Charles and their children.

"Mom, we're almost there. I will go in with Shirley so you may go to work."

Clark pointed to the gate of the kindergarten.

"Okay. Mom will stay here and watch as you both go in. Once you're both inside, Mom will leave for work," Sheryl responded and then she gently smiled to Clark.

"Shirley, let me hold your hand. Let's go."

Clark dealt with it like a small adult. He stretched out his little hand and took Shirley's, and they strode towards the gate while swaying their hands.