The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 179 Disclosure Of Autumn’s Identity

Yvonne smirked as she took a quick glance at Autumn and then said to Charles, "I have been harboring a secret for a long time. I intended to tell you about it step by step. After all this big revelation will shock you to the core! But it's painful to see you being cheated and betrayed by her. I have no other option but to tell you this secret right now."

"Whatever you want to say, be quick and just get it done, without all this melodrama and suspense!" Charles urged as his hatred and anger increased because of Yvonne's nonsense, "Just say it. You'll have to look for a hotel room. It will take much time. So don't waste any more of your time."

Yvonne turned pale as she felt embarrassed and angry. She took a silent moment to compose herself and with a cold look she said, "Charles, the woman you love and cherish is not Yvonne. She is using my identity. I am the real Yvonne."

There was not an inch of surprise or shock on Charles face. Yvonne was confused. After carefully choosing her words, she continued with discretion, "When you came to my house and asked my parents for my hand in marriage, I was scared and intimidated to marry a stranger. I didn't know you or anything about you. I was so frightened that I ran away when my parents' attention was diverted. I didn't have any plan in mind but I simply was not prepared to marry you. In my opinion, marriage means to live with someone you love for all eternity."

Yvonne paused to catch a breath and then added, "I thought my parents would cancel the wedding if they found me missing and they indeed did that. But I didn't expect... She, I mean Autumn, somehow persuaded my parents and steered them astray. She said if the wedding was not going to be held, no one would benefit from it, especially herself. She suggested getting married to you under my name and further discussed how to deal with the situation once I returned. My parents were convinced."

Yvonne glared at Autumn and continued her narration, "Once I found out that Autumn replaced me as your bride,, I came back. I thought it was an immoral and emotional fraud. Moreover I thought it was time I found out more about who I was supposed to marry."

"What happened after that?" Charles didn't speak, but his occasional glances encouraged Yvonne to continue her story.

Chris froze when she heard the whole truth.

'What has been happening? I have known my sister-in-law since she married my brother. What possible reason could she have to exchange her name with the woman I detest the most?' Chris thought to herself.

"Once I found out about you and heard from acquaintances I realized you were not a playboy like the rumors led me to believe. Every time I saw you taking care of Autumn I felt sad and regretted my decisions which took me away from you. So I begged Autumn to give me chances to correct my mistake and get close to you. I hope you will fall in love with me as time goes by. I really just want everything to get back on the right track. I have tried to talk with Autumn about getting back our own identities. I didn't expect that she would seduce you in such a way that you would insist she was your wife. I... was getting desperate after all my bids to get close to you and with that background I plotted yesterday's trap with Rachel. It was just a momentary lapse of reason and was not my finest moment. I will appreciate if I am not judged on that moment alone."

Yvonne said to Charles as she held his hand, "Charles, I really do love you. I hope to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Please do make me happy and marry me, will you?"

"Let go of my brother's hand!" Chris yelled as she was repulsed by the proposal. She was shocked that Autumn wasn't Yvonne. But still when compared to Yvonne she felt Autumn was more appropriate to be her sister-in-law. She pushed Yvonne's hand away and added, "Don't imagine your wildest dreams will come true. I am pleased to tell you that my brother and my sister-in-law have gotten their marriage certificate. So stop daydreaming, my brother will not marry you."

"It's okay. I don't mind. Let her continue her touching and honest speech, "Autumn said as she took Chris aside with a warm smile. Autumn was greatly touched by what Chris said despite all the sudden revelations.

She thought, 'Chris has accepted and admitted that I am a part of her family. I am so happy and relieved. I didn't do anything wrong. I don't mind Yvonne making up stories in her bid to tarnish my image as long as my family believe and support me.'

Chris froze after she finished her words she introspected, 'Charles and Autumn have gotten their marriage certificate, then ... which name did Autumn use for it?'

She looked at Charles and found he was calm and composed. When she turned to Autumn, she realized that even she had no look of anxiety. Instead, she was calm too.

'Is it possible that Charles already knows about this?'

"Autumn, I warn you, you are a complete substitute. It's impossible for you to live happily ever after under the shadows of my name and identity!" Yvonne sneered, "Does it really matter that they have a marriage certificate? Marriage certificate?"

She finally realized what she had heard as she repeated it. She mulled over it, 'If they have gotten their marriage certificate, she must have used her real name -- Autumn Ye. So... Does that mean Charles knew our identity secret a long time ago?'

"You knew about our identities, didn't you?" When she saw Charles's disdain and Autumn's calmness, she knew she had guessed it right. She thought, 'The news of my running away would not have remained contained within the four walls of my house. Charles must have investigated all about me. Wendy and I were too naive and foolish to think we could deceive everyone.'

Charles gave a snort of contempt and didn't utter a single word.

Looking at Yvonne, Autumn spoke in a monotone, "Yvonne, to be honest, I have told Charles all about my identity secret. It's too tiring to live with the burden of someone else's name. So it is an unwise move for you to take me down by revealing the secret."

"You..." In that moment, all of Yvonne's hopes and dreams of marrying Charles shattered. She thought she hold the ace of cards but it was not until then, did she realize that Autumn was truly the one with the best deck of cards while she was bound to lose. This wasn't gonna be her big break and at this turn in their lives it was impossible for her to win over Autumn.

"Are you done?" Charles asked, "Is it my turn if you have finished speaking?"

Charles said with a sly smile, "Miss Gu, my wife has been Autumn since the very moment our wedding ceremony concluded. It makes no difference to me whether her name is Yvonne or Autumn. After all I love her and who she is. Her name holds no importance to me."

Charles smiled as he slowly turned towards Autumn. Then he added, "As for your affection for me, I sincerely apologize and advise you divert all your energy towards someone who is a potential bachelor. You gave it all out for love when you ran away with Joe. I can't bear your wavering love. You fall in love too quickly and your emotions are transient."

Chris was standing nearby watching the scene unfold. Her brother was so sophisticated on the outside but on the inside he was wild. When she heard his sharp taunt she shook with suppressed giggles. "Damn you bitch!" Yvonne shouted as she flung herself forward in one swift movement to hit Autumn. She thought Autumn was the one who told Charles about her affair with Joe. If Autumn hadn't told him he probably would have never found out. He might even have accepted her.

"I will kill you!" Yvonne yelled out with all of her bottled rage. If she had been a monster she would probably have torn Autumn into pieces or she would die simply from her fiery wrath.

Yvonne ran so fast that she had reached Autumn before Autumn could react and run away. Chris, however, had sharp eyes and agile hands. She stood right in front of Autumn and pushed Yvonne away with discontent. She said in a querulous voice, "Why are you so annoying? Reflect on yourself when you have trouble. No one will appreciate the existence of a woman like you. Let alone my brother! I advise you not to waste your time on my brother. Go and search for a mate. Maybe someone stupid will cast his greedy eyes upon you."