The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 186 I Am Glad You Are Back

"Don't worry. As long as you do the surgery, I will bring her to meet you. I can assure you this." Charles said calmly. "She is preoccupied with so many things that I am afraid she would have no time to meet you at the moment."

"Well, I just want to know... I just want to know if she is fine." Arthur bit his tongue as he was about to say something. He was anxious to know what happened to Autumn in these years.

"No, to be frank she is not fine," replied Charles. Charles shook his head slightly. Autumn had gotten involved in a series of troublesome affairs. Her grandmother's illness, Isla's accident as well as Yvonne's drama drained all of her energy.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you." Charles said. "Autumn's grandma is also in this hospital and she is in critical condition. If you want to see her, I suggest that you do it soon. She is running out of time and you may not have many chances to meet her."

After Charles left, Arthur checked at the information desk which room Autumn's grandma was confined then hurried to it. Autumn happened to be there feeding her grandmother some porridge. "Do you like it? Does it taste good?" Autumn asked softly with a smile.

Her weak grandmother nodded slightly, smiling back at her, "Autumn, you don't have to feed me. I can eat on my own."

"Don't move, grandma. I'm happy to do it." Autumn scooped a spoonful of porridge, blew on it a little to cool it then gently put it in her grandma's mouth. "Grandma, I still remember, you used to feed me like this and you always took good care of me. Now it is my turn to take care of you."

"What a good girl." Grandma reached out her hands, patting Autumn's back gently and said, "I am so lucky to be your grandmother and to have you in my life. I could die without any regret."

"Grandma, please don't talk like that. You are my only family. Please don't leave me alone in this world." Autumn's eyes glistened with tears. "Grandma, my heart breaks when you say that. Never talk like that again. Promise me, grandma. As long as I am here, I won't let anything happen to you. You will get better and help me take care of my children. You have to make it through."

The poor old lady was amused by Autumn's words. She held Autumn's cheeks and cherished this beautiful moment. "I'm glad to hear that from you, my sweetheart, but I am afraid that I would be too old to help you. I am unable to take care of myself now."

She barely finished talking when she coughed and panted for breath, which scared Autumn. Autumn hastily took a glass of water from the bed stand. "Are you okay, grandma? Do you need to take a sip of the water?"

"Don't worry about me, Autumn. I am fine." Her grandmother reassured Autumn. Even though she knew that she had only a few days left to live, she didn't want Autumn to worry. She only wished happiness for her granddaughter.

Autumn gazed at her poor skinny grandmother, feeling helpless. Suddenly, the door was pushed open. Autumn looked to replace a man standing by the door. He even stared at Autumn without a blink until Autumn frowned. "I am sorry, Sir. I am afraid that you are in the wrong ward." said Autumn softly.

Arthur was wearing plain clothes so Autumn thought that he had somehow gotten lost.

"No, he isn't." Autumn's grandmother, lying quietly on the bed, suddenly spoke. Arthur didn't move his eyes from Autumn until he heard Autumn's grandmother. "Grandma, do you know him? Is he your friend?" Autumn asked, a little confused.

"Yes. Of course I know him. Autumn, please help me up." After so many years, she could still recognize Arthur. The poor old lady understood that she was dying and Autumn was the only one she cared about in this world. If the Zhao family would acknowledge Autumn as one of their own, then she might die in peace.

However, Autumn was confused. She neither knew this man nor did she know why he was there. Autumn helped her grandmother up, propping up a pillow behind her to make her more comfortable. "How do you feel now, grandma? You have to tell me if it hurts."

"I am fine," replied her grandmother. She patted Autumn's hands and said with a smiled, "Autumn, I want to eat something. Could you go get me some fruit?"

"Okay. I will be back soon." Autumn knew that it was merely an excuse of her grandmother to send her out, but she said nothing and walked out of the ward quietly. They needed to talk in private.

As soon as Autumn closed the door, her grandmother got off from the bed and knelt down in front of Arthur. "Arthur, I am so sorry. It is my fault. I didn't take good care of Bowen. I am really sorry." She began to breathe heavily. Arthur stepped forward and held her. "Emily, what happened to you? Why are you so sick? You didn't take care of yourself?"

He held her to the bed and then continued to ask, "I haven't seen you in decades. How did this happen to you?"

Suffering from an illness all year, Emily lost a lot of weight and looked frail. If not for her big beautiful eyes, Arthur almost did not recognize her. She used to be graceful and pretty.

Arthur was upset. If Bowen didn't fall in love with Wendy, he would not have run away. Emily wouldn't have had to go through any suffering with her granddaughter.

In order to take care of Autumn, Emily didn't get married. She was the only true family that Autumn had ever known.

"What happened all these years? Tell me, Emily." Arthur looked guilty. If he'd known earlier that Autumn had gone through so much misery, he would have come back from abroad much sooner.

"I am fine, Arthur. Don't worry." Emily shook her head. "My life is worthless. The most important thing for me is to take care of Autumn and to see her live a happy life. Then I won't be a failure when I die." "You still look the same as before. You are still handsome and refreshing." she said, smiling bitterly.

"Emily, why didn't you give me a call when you experienced so many difficulties and hardship. Bowen is a fool, but you should have known what to do. He is my son and Autumn is my granddaughter. Do you think I would turn a deaf ear to you?" Arthur lamented. He was just hurt when Bowen disregarded his advice and insisted on marrying Wendy. For a long time, Arthur tried to replace them, but Bowen had run away to a place where his family couldn't replace him.

Arthur then went abroad and it was forgotten.

Emily expressed much regret. "I did try to contact you several years ago, but I couldn't reach you."

Arthur was silent, then he remembered that he changed his phone number when he moved abroad. He was overcome with regret as he learned that they had gone through so much suffering. He was eager to make it up to them.

"But I thank the heavens that you are back now. Autumn will not be left alone and helpless." Emily felt relieved. "Arthur, she is your granddaughter. Though she is also the daughter of that vicious woman, Wendy, Autumn is innocent."

Emily grabbed Arthur's hands. "Autumn is softhearted just like her father. I am really worried that no one will take care of her and protect her after my death. But now that you are here. I am really happy."