The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1104 The Decision To Move Out

Thinking about his mother's reaction, Clark suddenly felt very unhappy. "Mom, can't you recall what I've just said to you? The last thing you should be doing is avoiding these problems. I understand that you don't want to forgive Dad, but at least you should give him an opportunity to explain himself. Otherwise, he will feel so sad and like he has been wronged."

Seeing Sheryl keeping silent, Clark began to shake her hand gently, in his attempt to convince her once more. "Mom, please, just let dad explain."

"Oh, fine...I'll listen to you and hear what your father has to say," replied Sheryl helplessly. She thought that if she persisted on saying no, Clark would keep nagging her until she agreed.

"That's alright, Mom," Clark answered in a happy tone as he patted Sheryl's hand lovingly. "So, since you've agreed, you can go upstairs and have a talk with him now. I will wait here and eat pizza with Shirley, Clark added.

Sheryl didn't have any other reason to refuse Charles anymore. Following him, she went into the bedroom upstairs.

"Sher, I've seen the video you sent me. I'm really sorry. I didn't know what the truth was, and that was why I questioned the situation before." Charles got straight to the point and expressed his apology to Sheryl. He felt sorry for treating her the way he did.

He didn't want to elaborate on other trivial things, and especially not on something that didn't matter. He also knew that Sheryl would feel more impatient and disappointed with him, if he kept going on about senseless things, instead of apologizing up front.

"Well, now that you've learned about the truth, we don't have anything else to talk about, now do we?" Sheryl responded to Charles' apology in a cold and relentless voice. She didn't feel like she was ready to reply to his apology, nor accept it. She wasn't the kind of person who liked to complain about how hurt she felt by another person.

"Sher, I'm so sorry. I know that you feel wronged, and I know that it's all my fault. Nevertheless, I promise that after supper, I will tell my mom that our family of four will not live in Dream Garden from this point forward. I'll replace another incredible home, and we can just move out. I've been thinking about it for a long time. What do you think?" Charles spoke his mind. Once he learned the truth, he made the decision on behalf of him and his family to move out.

"What? You want us to move out? Wait...Aren't you afraid of your mother's disapproval?" Sheryl never thought that Charles would make the mindful decision to make such a sacrifice, especially for her sake. She was surprised but relieved at the same time.

"Of course, I know that she won't agree with my decision. However, even though she doesn't agree, the most important thing to me is that our family can live a happy life together. I truly mean it, Sheryl," said Charles firmly. He wanted to make it clear that she was a priority to him.

Noticing Sheryl's expression, which boasted with pure disbelief, he immediately added, "I need to admit something though. I decide to move out, not only because we can live a happy and peaceful life together, but also because I don't want to unmask my mom. I mean, regardless of anything, she's still my mom. She hasn't been living in Dream Garden for a long time, so I couldn't just ask her to move out.

I just can't understand why she doesn't like you, nor what is in her mind. Whatever happens, Sher, I promise you that she will never come between, nor separate us ever again. I don't even care if she uses suicide to threaten me. You and the children will always come first!"

Sheryl had to admit, what Charles said was very admirable. At least in her mind, this kind of promise brought her more relief than a mere apology.

She felt at ease, as Charles had just promised her his loyalty. What else could she ask for?

No matter what she lost in Dream Garden, she wouldn't fear anything else as long as she still had her kids and Charles.

"I have a question. Is moving out truly at your discretion? Do you think that your mom will agree with your decision?" Sheryl's question indicated that she was permitting this decision.

"Don't worry, Sher. I will discuss my decision with my mother. I've made a promise to you, and I will make it clear to her that no one can stop us from moving out or being together." Charles made a firm vow to Sheryl.

Realizing that Sheryl was finally convinced, Charles continued, "Sher, can I ask you for just one thing? Can you just bear my mom for a few days? Just until we move out. No matter what my mom says to you, all you have to do is ignore her words. You should know that she is..."

"Fine. Please, there's no need to remind me whatsoever. I know what you're going to say. I promise, as long as we can have our life back and live a peaceful life together, I don't mind how she treats me in the next few days. I'll tolerate it." Sheryl cut Charles off.

Sheryl recalled herself saying these kinds of words many times after Melissa came back. Regardless, each time she made her attitude clear, a conflict was born between her and Melissa. Sheryl felt uneasy. She knew that, whenever she displayed kindness to Melissa, it was followed by Melissa's efforts to frame her once more.

She was uncertain about what the result would be this time around. However, she didn't want to think about it at that moment. All that she could do was wait and replace it out.

During dinner, all of the family members were present at the table, and no disruptive behavior seemed to be present. Looking at her family, Shirley even thought that their family was extremely happy. She couldn't even tell that her parents weren't talking with one another earlier in the day.

However, Clark knew about every detail of the relationship between his parents. That was why he also knew that it had been better than before.

He felt grateful for what he had done to reconcile his parent's relationship. If it wasn't for him who acted as a mediator, his parents wouldn't have made up so quickly.

Thinking of this point, Clark felt proud and pleased with himself. As he enjoyed the positive mood in the room, his appetite was bigger than ever.

After supper, Nancy brought the two kids to freshen up and then took them back to their room to sleep. They both needed to get up early to go to the kindergarten the following day. Clark and Shirley were good children, as they never opposed going to bed on time.

Seeing that his kids had already fallen asleep, Gary also made his way to his room after supper. At that moment, Charles thought that it was the perfect time to take on his mother.

"Sher, could you please go and fetch my phone? I think I've left it in the bedroom," Charles said as he exchanged a serious look with Sheryl.

Sheryl nodded her head, as she knew what Charles was about to do. She definitely didn't want to be in the room when it happened, and that was why she left.

Once she was in the bedroom, she took her time to bring Charles his phone. She stood behind the door and opened it slightly, as she wanted to hear their conversation.

"Mom, are you feeling okay? Are you still feeling lightheaded?" Charles knew that losing a lot of blood for any human being, was accompanied by dizziness and nauseousness.

"I'm fine, Charles. Don't worry about me." Melissa proceeded to put on the mask of a sensible mother in front of Charles.

Charles paused for a while. He behaved so not because he was moved by his mother's thoughtfulness towards him, but because he recalled in his mind how she had treated Sheryl in the video. He couldn't grasp that his mother had a split-personality.

"Mom, I have something to negotiate with you. It's quite important." After a deep sigh for plucking up to his mother, Charles came straight to the point.

"What kind of thing? Just name it, son. As long as it is within my reach, I will agree with it. After all, I am your mother and you are my son," Melissa replied in a pampered voice.

"Mom, I have talked to Sheryl. We've decided to move out with Shirley and Clark tomorrow." Charles looked into Melissa's eyes as he told her the news in a calm voice.

Melissa was taken aback at Charles' request and responded in a surprised voice, "What? Why do you want to move out? Do you feel uncomfortable living here?"

"Mom, believe me... That's not the problem. It's not about us being comfortable or not. I just don't think that you can get along with Sheryl. Besides, at your age, I want you to live a happy and relaxed life.

In the beginning, it was my very own ignorance that caused today's situation. It is often said that it's very difficult for a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law get along with each other. Hearing this kind of saying at first, I didn't take it seriously. Otherwise, you wouldn't have almost lost your life with the suicide attempt. So, from my point of view, Sher shouldn't live with you here any longer. After all, the most important thing right now is your psychological and physical health. Don't you think so?" Charles began to explain to Melissa calmly.