The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 2100 Bitterness

It was Joan calling her.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Xia, I'm really sorry, but there's a family emergency back at home, and I have to be there. Is it all right if I ask for leave today?"

"What happened, Joan?" Sheryl asked in concern.

"My daughter-in-law has a fever, and my son can't come back home until tomorrow. I need to go back and help them take care of the kid," Joan explained.

Sheryl nodded in understanding. "Sure, you can leave anytime you want. Oh, I can help you get an Uber so he can pick you up at home."

Joan thanked her profusely upon hearing this, "Thank you so much, Ms. Xia. I'm sorry I didn't have time to make dinner..."

"Don't worry, Joan. It's just dinner. I can eat out. You need to pack your stuff now and go home. Your grandchild needs you."

"Thank you for understanding, Ms. Xia."

"No problem."

Sheryl hung up and then called an Uber for Joan.

Damian, who heard the whole conversation between Sheryl and Joan, found himself only falling deeper in love with Sheryl with how considerate she was to her housekeeper.

Damian saw this a great opportunity to have dinner with Sheryl as Joan wasn't going to be home. Sheryl wouldn't be able to say no to him.

After she called the Uber, Sheryl put her phone back in her purse. She lifted her head and found Damian was staring at her, so she explained to him what had happened. Damian just smiled. The road ahead was cleared, so he started the car and offered, "Let's go eat dinner."

"You... I was thinking about going home..." Sheryl hesitated, wondering how she could decline Damian.

Damian raised his brows and asked, "Sher, is it that hard to have dinner with me? Besides, Joan is leaving. Do you really want to have dinner by yourself?" Sheryl didn't answer, biting her lips.

Damian sighed and continued, "Why do you keep avoiding me? All I want is to have dinner with you. I won't do anything to hurt you. Why are you alienating me?" Sheryl looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Now, let's go have dinner!" Damian smiled and drove off.

Charles parked the car at the doorway. Nancy came to the yard to greet them when she heard the car engine from inside.

Nancy was happy when she saw Melissa stepping out of the car with Clark and Shirley.

"Clark, Shirley!" Nancy exclaimed in excitement.

The children were excited to see Nancy too. When they used to live in the Dream Garden, they were even closer to Nancy than with Melissa. Nancy was practically their grandma to them.

Nancy caressed their heads and said, "I missed you so much, kids. How are you doing? Do you study hard at school? How's the new servant in your apartment? Does she treat you well?" "And..." Nancy was so excited that she kept bombarding the children with questions.

Clark and Shirley just smiled, not knowing which question to answer first.

"Nancy, you're asking way too many questions. How are they supposed to answer all of them?" Melissa piped in. She couldn't help but feel a little jealous as the kids seemed to like Nancy more than they liked her.

Charles had parked the car and was now walking toward them as he said, "Nancy, have you prepared dinner? The kids are hungry."

Nancy shook her head and said, "Right, I almost forgot about dinner. It's almost ready, and I cooked your favorite for tonight, Clark and Shirley. Come into the house and wash your hands. Dinner will be ready in five minutes."

"Hurray! I'm starving!" Clark and Shirley jumped up and down and ran into the house.

Melissa and Charles shared a look. They both felt relieved.

Laughter filled the house once again.

Melissa and Charles couldn't remember the last time the house had been filled with happiness and laughter.

Since Sheryl moved out with the kids, the Dream Garden had fallen into dead silence. No more kids' laughter and noise. Charles felt like a lonely, old man who had been abandoned by his children. His house was big, but it was empty. No matter how good the food was, it didn't taste as good if you weren't sharing it with anyone.

Melissa's eyes welled up, and she blew her nose. Charles rubbed her shoulder as he glanced at her.

Clark and Shirley ate much more than they were used to eating at dinner. Perhaps it was because they were growing up, or perhaps it was because they missed Nancy's cooking so much. Melissa was glad to see her grandchildren helping themselves to the food. She smiled at them and asked, "Do you eat this much at home too?"

Shirley nodded her head, her mouth filled with food. "Joan's a great cook, but Nancy's better!"

Clark dug in his food, keeping to himself as he was focused on eating his yummy dinner.

Melissa nodded in satisfaction. "Help yourselves. You're growing kids. You should eat more. And don't be picky, okay? You need nutrition."

"Well, Grandma, you should eat more too," Shirley said to Melissa.

Melissa was so moved.

She felt like her grandchildren were growing in the blink of an eye. They knew how to show care to other people now.

Charles felt blessed to have such considerate and thoughtful children as he watched them. He was grateful that Sheryl had done a good job raising the children. The only thing that upset Charles was that he couldn't be there with her and be a complete family with them.

Clark lifted his head and shot a glance at Charles. He put a piece of meat into Charles' bowl, saying, "Dad, what are you thinking? Try this. Mom tells me that eating meat can help me grow taller." Charles lowered his head and looked at the meat in his bowl. His heart tightened as he heard Sheryl's name.

He couldn't help but think of Sheryl's lovely face. He recalled Sheryl feeding him this same dish from before. They used to be a happy family. He used to look forward to getting off work so he could spend time with his family.

However, time had changed things. The good old days were long gone.

Charles felt bitter, and he felt like his heart was empty. A part of his life was missing.

"Dad, why don't you eat anything? You don't like meat? Me neither, but Mom always tells me and Shirley to eat more meat because it's good for our health," Clark said, looking expectantly at Charles. Shirley chimed in, "Dad, don't be picky. Mom always says a picky child isn't a good child."

Charles pursed his lips and chuckled. "Fine, I will eat it. I won't be picky. I need to be a role model for you two." Charles put the piece of meat into his mouth and swallowed it.

"Yay, Dad ate it!" Shirley exclaimed, clapping her hands.

"Shirley, you're the best. You're not picky at all. Now finish your food, okay?" Melissa said to Shirley.

"Uh-huh. I will eat as much meat. Mom always tells me to eat meat so I can be tall!" Shirley said giddily.

"Ha-ha! That's great. You'll be as tall as a giant! Once you become that tall, will you carry Grandma outside and play with me?" Melissa put some vegetables on Shirley's bowl and said, "But you can't just eat meat. You need to eat vegetables too so you can have a balanced diet."

"Mom told me that too." Shirley nodded her head and munched on her last spoonful of rice, smiling up at them. She looked cute.

Melissa and Charles shared a look and burst into laughter as happiness filled the air again.