The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 2108 Charles Finally Felt Pain

Sheryl's heart ached when she heard what Shirley had said.

Those kids were so mean!

However, what really hurt Sheryl was not what those kids had done, but the influence of what they had said to Shirley and Clark.

This should have been a matter between grown-ups. The kids were unaware of how much damage their jokes inflicted on the people they teased. "Shirley, please, come on, Honey, don't be sad. They were just joking with you and your brother. It's not true." Sheryl tried to console Shirley.

"But it's true. Daddy hasn't been with us for a long time. It's always you who pick us up from school. He hasn't done that for a while. I'm sick now. But daddy is not here with me. Mom, I'm so sad." Shirley lowered her head in sorrow. Everything she said was true.

Sheryl was upset because she didn't know how to comfort her baby.

It seemed the only option was going to the kindergarten to have a talk with the director about this situation. Her baby girl was so heartbroken by what those kids taunted her about. She had to do something to resolve it.

Seeing her mother distracted and not hearing anything comforting from her, Shirley became more anxious and afraid. She tugged at Sheryl's sleeve and said, "Mommy is daddy really determined to abandon us? Does he not love me anymore?"

Hearing this from her daughter, Sheryl almost started crying.

She pulled her little girl into her arms and said soothingly, "Don't imagine silly things, my Darling. He's your daddy, and he will always love you. He just..." Sheryl was about to make up an excuse for her ex-husband when she suddenly heard a familiar voice. "Daddy has just been too busy, Shirley."

Sheryl knew from the voice alone who was behind her without looking back. Her body tensed up, and her heart started racing.

Shirley looked up and saw it was her dad. She said happily, her eyes squeezed with delight, "Daddy, you are finally here!"

Charles stepped towards his daughter. He reached his arms over Sheryl on purpose and held Shirley.

Observing them from the outside, it seemed that he was holding both Sheryl and his daughter.

Stuck in between these two, Shirley felt very uncomfortable and wanted to get away. But Shirley said jauntily, "I knew that Daddy wouldn't abandon me. Daddy loves me!" Seeing her girl so happy made Sheryl feel even more upset.

She heard Charles say, "Shirley, I will drive you to and from the kindergarten from now on. Thus, your friends won't ever have any reason to say things like that again. Are you happy now?" Hearing that, Shirley opened her eyes wide and said with excitement, "Is it true?" "You will drive us every day? Daddy, is that a promise?"

"Yes, it is, my Darling," Charles answered with a smile.

"Well, let's pinky-swear just in case." Shirley reached out her small hand cheerfully and held Charles' pinkie intertwined with hers. "Well, that's a deal then."

Seeing this, Sheryl didn't know how to respond.

For her, all this was very complicated; and not as simple as promising one another something. She didn't know what to do now.

Sheryl was relieved that Charles let go of them quickly. Upon getting out of his arms, Sheryl stepped back immediately, saying, "Shirley, I'll get you a cup of water. You need to drink more water." "Thanks, Mommy," Shirley said politely, looking very adorable.

Sheryl stood up quickly and went away.

Charles watched Sheryl all the while pretending to be busy, saying nothing. His face contained a small, subtle smile.

The next day

Melissa and Nancy came to the hospital with a bowl of rice porridge.

"Grandma, good morning!" Shirley had just taken a good rest, making her very energetic now. She greeted them in a loud voice.

Melissa felt assured at seeing Shirley so vigorous. She asked Nancy to place the thermos canteen on the nightstand. She said, "Shirley, you must be hungry by now." "Come, Child. Have some rice porridge. Nancy took more than two hours to make it. There is chicken in it, which makes it very tasty."

Shirley took a sniff of the rice porridge, saying with a big smile, "Smells good. Thanks, Grandma."

Nancy scooped the rice porridge out of the canteen immediately.

Melissa glanced at Charles. She asked him in a low voice, "Charles, where is Sher?"

"She's out." Charles looked very exhausted.

Charles' tired expression tugged at Melissa's heartstrings. Nevertheless, she had to continue to bother him to know more. "You were here with Shirley and Sheryl all of last night?" Charles nodded, understanding what his mother was trying to really ask.

"Well..." "Did anything happen last night?"

Charles let out a resigned smile and answered, "Mom, stop overthinking. Nothing happened last night."

Of course, Melissa didn't believe him.

She was about to ask more when Sheryl came in. Sheryl didn't expect Melissa to be here and said after a pause, "Aunt Melissa, you are here."

"I was worried about Shirley, so I brought her some rice porridge with Nancy. We're here now, so you don't have to stay. Go have a rest and change your clothes at home," Melissa said.

"Right. Sher, you and Mr. Lu can go have a rest now. We will stay, so you don't have to worry," Nancy echoed.

Sheryl hesitated for a while. She didn't want to leave, but she did need a bath.

Yet, on the other hand, she was still concerned about Shirley even though Melissa would be here to take care of her.

"How about this? To save time, you and Charles go to Dream Garden. Some of your clothes are still in the master bedroom. You can take a shower and have a rest there. Then you can come back to the hospital after lunch," Melissa suggested because she saw Sheryl hesitating.

Sheryl refused immediately, of course. She would never go back to the Dream Garden. She answered back, "No need. I'll go to my house. It's not far from here."

"But you didn't drive a car. Charles can drive you to the Dream Garden. You can come back here together after lunch." Melissa continued trying to convince Sheryl to go with her son.

Melissa winked at Charles while talking, in an attempt to try and get his help to persuade Sheryl together.

Charles was caught in a dilemma. He thought Melissa was making things more complicated than they needed to be. As well, he knew Sheryl wouldn't listen to her.

"Mom, forget it. You are making Sher awkward. I'll take her home," Charles said.

Melissa nodded her head reluctantly, saying, "Alright. Take care then."

Sheryl heaved a sigh of relief. She gave Shirley some instructions before walking out of the room with Charles.

Sheryl stepped toward the entrance. Charles called to her to make her stop, "Where are you going?"

"I'm heading home," Sheryl answered him without turning around.

"My car is parked in the underground garage. Let me drive you back," Charles offered, frowning slightly.

Sheryl shook her head and said, "Don't bother. I will order a taxi online to pick me up." She then walked away without looking back.

Charles kept looking at Sheryl until she disappeared entirely. His heart was torn with pain.