The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1409 Nothing Is Wrong With Her

Sheryl lay still in the hospital bed stretching her arm for the intra-venal to pass smoothly. However, her mind was not at peace. She knew it for sure that it was Leila who had kidnapped Shirley. Also, she was confident that she could get Shirley back this time under her deal.

The news of Shirley coming back to her first by a text message from Leila was a new elixir of life for Sheryl and later even Nancy called to congratulate her for Shirley's being safe and sound at home. Sheryl was beyond thrilled and almost jumped off her bed. In her excitement, she raised her hand that had the IV injected in it. This resulted in the needle getting moved from its place causing blood oozing out from her hand. But even the hurt did not stop her to express her excitement. Fortunately, the nurse came to help Sheryl in time and calmed her down.

"Mrs. Lu, please be more careful. If this happens again, your hand will be swollen," the nurse reminded Sheryl seriously with a concerned look on her face.

The nurse carefully readjusted the needle as she spoke to Sheryl. She didn't leave until she confirmed that the IV was set properly and there was no more blood coming out of Sheryl's hand. "Mrs. Lu, remember to take your pills on time." Before the nurse walked out of the ward, she reminded Sheryl again.

Sheryl nodded her head at the nurse politely. She breathed a great sigh of relief after the nurse left. Sheryl cast a disgruntled glance at hand. She hated having an IV or even taking any medicine. But, the next moment, her face broke into a smile. Shirley being back home was like a prayer being answered. Sheryl had gone through the toughest time. And the bitter medicine or the IV for that matter was hardly a match for that.

Shirley coming back to the Lu family gave Sheryl a lot of strength. She was eager to get recovered as soon as possible so that she could be discharged from the hospital and go back home to see her little princess. She needed Shirley to see her in her best condition.

Sheryl was skeptical that Shirley would be disturbed if she saw her mother's pale face. Shirley was always a considerate and sensitive girl. Shirley just survived a kidnap, and Sheryl didn't want her daughter to go through another trauma.

Although Sheryl's body was in the hospital bed at the moment, her mind was back in the Dream Garden, back to her little girl. She tried her best to control her desires and wait patiently in the ward. She waited for Charles to give her the good news himself.

In the Dream Garden, Melissa burst into tears when she saw her missing granddaughter. Even she felt relieved. After all, she agreed with Leila about kidnapping Shirley at the very beginning. If Charles got to the bottom of it, he was bound to replace her to be an accomplice.

If something happened to Shirley, Melissa would have had to regret for the rest of her life. Now that Shirley returned safe and sound, it was a happy ending. Everyone was happy and relieved in the Lu family. Feeling light in her heart and excited, Melissa walked towards Shirley's bedroom with a smile on her face, wanting to check on her. She knocked on the door. Charles opened the door. He looked at her annoyed and complained, "Mom, Shirley just fell asleep. What are you doing up here?" This time Charles could not help being rude to his mother. Melissa had let him down over and over again. She had never ceased from making trouble for him and Sheryl all the time. Even when Shirley was missing, Melissa couldn't stop her dramas, adding fuel to the flames. Charles was thoroughly disappointed and had no faith left in his mother.

Melissa pouted and said, "Charles, is this the way you should talk to your mom? I am happy that Shirley is back home. I just want to see her. It has been a long time since she is gone. I have done nothing wrong."

Melissa lowered her voice as she replied to Charles. She still remembered the last time she got scolded by her son and it really scared her. So now, even though she had done nothing wrong, she dared not to defend herself and raise her voice.

But Charles didn't give a damn about Melissa. He waved his hand, gesturing for her to leave and stood straightly in front of the door, standing in Melissa's way. He didn't want anyone to interrupt Shirley, even if it was his own mother.

The next morning, although Charles didn't want to wake up Shirley, but he was afraid that she might be hungry. He hesitated for a while as he stood by her bed watching her sleep peacefully surrounded by pillows and cushions and finally decided to wake her up. He held her in his arms and came downstairs for breakfast.

He didn't know what Shirley had been through or what she ate during the entire time that she was held up by the kidnappers, so he decided to play it safe. He helped Shirley get a bowl of millet congee and fed her spoon by spoon.

Shirley told Charles she was full after a few bites and refused to eat more irrespective of how much Charles coax or cajole her. Charles looked at Shirley regretfully, feeling sorry for his little baby.

He held Shirley's arms. She felt light as a feather. 'Asshole.' Charles thought to himself, 'The kidnapper must have treated Shirley badly. Did they even give her something to eat? Otherwise, why would Shirley lose her appetite?' Shirley used to be capable of having two bowls of congee. Now she refused to eat after taking just two bites.

Charles furrowed his brows as fatherly concern overwhelmed his heart. He stood there for a while, his hand holding the spoon held in the air.

Then he turned at Shirley and said forcing a reassuring smile on his face, "Okay, if Shirley doesn't want to eat, then we won't eat anything. We can grab some snack when we're hungry." Then, Charles lowered his head, frustrated. He didn't want to force Shirley to do things she didn't like. He needed to think of another plan to feed her.

Seeing the frustrated look on Charles' face, Leila gathered her courage, walked to Charles and said softly, trying to comfort him, "Charles, are you doing okay? It's great that Shirley has finally come back. We can fix other problems step by step later. I am sure that Shirley will recover soon. She will be happy and healthy forever. So, please don't worry. I believe that Shirley would not want to see you like this." Charles did not utter a single word in retaliation. Instead, he cast a cold glance at Leila that was enough to send a chill down her spine.

Instantly, Leila's heart started to beat against her chest. From the way Charles looked at her, she understood that he had found out something. But she dared not to ask anything. So she felt it to be safe to walk away quietly.

Charles gave a cold shoulder to Leila and Melissa. It was a signal for both of them to stop asking about Shirley and mind their own business.

After putting Shirley to sleep, Charles drove to the hospital. He could not wait to share this exciting news with Sheryl.

He walked into the ward and sat down on the chair next to Sheryl's bed with a bright smile on his face.

Sheryl just got the message from Leila. And now that she saw the smile on Charles' face, she was completely assured that Shirley was back home and Charles was going to tell her about it. Even though Sheryl was aware of Shirley's return, she pretended to know nothing. She wanted to hear the good news from Charles, so she raised her brows, asking him what made him so happy.

It was rare that Charles would be so excited. He leaned forward and held Sheryl's shoulders. He could hardly conceal his excitement as he said, "Sher, guess what! Shirley, our little baby, is home!" He was so excited that his voice trailed off as he finished.

Sheryl already knew the news, but she showed surprise and excitement to Charles. She grabbed Charles' hands and exclaimed, "Really? Shirley is home? What a great piece of news is that!" Sheryl's eyes lit up.

"Yes, it's true. But she's weak now. She needs more rest, so I didn't bring her to the hospital," Charles explained to Sheryl in a low voice.

Hearing Charles, Sheryl became worried about Shirley. She asked for more details.

"Charles, how is Shirley doing? Have you sent a doctor to give her a check-up? Anything wrong with her?" Leila just texted Sheryl that Shirley was back. She didn't mention how Shirley was doing. Sheryl was worried that the kidnapper might hurt Shirley so she asked Charles numerous questions.

Charles was as concerned about Shirley as Sheryl did and he had anticipated Sheryl's questions. He answered them one by one, calming her down and comforting her, "Don't worry. Nothing is wrong with Shirley. The doctor has checked on her. She just needs more rest."

Hearing Charles, Sheryl heaved a sigh of relief. As long as her little baby was doing okay. It was a great comfort for Sheryl.