The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 501 Shirley

Anthony despaired of changing Autumn's mind, so he turned to Andy and let him know about her decision. Andy wanted to tell Abby, but Autumn refused.

"I hope you can keep this to yourself forever," Autumn said in a hard voice, her face grim.

"But why?" Andy asked frowning, looking at Autumn in confusion. "Since you disappeared, Abby has suffered so much. She couldn't eat or sleep well and constantly worry about you. Now that you've recovered, why don't you come back and put them out of their misery?" Andy reproached Autumn.

"I'm sorry for being selfish," Autumn replied sadly, looking guilty. "I want to forget everything, that's why I've decided to take those pills. I can't come back and live with you because of all the painful memories. I want to forget that part of my life. I can't continue to live like this," Autumn said in a final tone. She had already made her decision.

Andy shook his head and asked," How about Arthur and Amy? How can you bear to see them weep for you every day?"

"I..." Autumn faltered, not knowing what to say. She felt like a rebellious teenager who had no thought for anybody but herself. It might sound selfish but she had only one thought in her mind right now and that was to forget everything, move to a new place and start her life anew.

"They will soon forget about me. Perhaps... our roads will cross one day," Autumn continued sadly, her face bleak with sorrow. "I caused them nothing but trouble since I came into their lives. They were constantly worried about me. I hope you will spend more time with them and take good care of them," Autumn pleaded.

"Are you really sure about this?" Andy asked, searching her face intently, hoping that she would change her mind and forget about her ridiculous plan.

"Yes, I'm sure," Autumn answered with finality. In her mind, that was the only choice she had. "Andy, there is one thing... I want to ask you a favor."

She drew near to Andy and whispered in his ear. After a slight hesitation, he nodded in agreement. "Now that you've made up your mind, I will respect your decision. I'll keep your secret for now, but when you get settled, I'll bring them to see you," he promised.

"It's a deal," Autumn agreed without argument. The only person she intended to avoid was Charles. She hoped never to see him as long as she lived.

Autumn asked Andy to give her a new identity. She wanted to go with a new name, Sheryl Xia.

Autumn was optimistic that she could turn over a new leaf and begin a new life again after this summer.

Once Autumn got her new ID and passport, she prepared to take the pills. Before taking the medicine that would erase her memories, she wrote a letter to herself. In the letter, she reminded herself that Shirley was her daughter. She reminded herself that the first thing she needed to do after she woke up was to go abroad.

Anthony initially planned to leave Y City after Autumn gave birth. But now everything had changed.

Once he learned that Autumn planned to go abroad, he turned in his resignation and booked the same flight as hers.

After taking the medicine, Autumn fell into a dreamless sleep. She woke up feeling light, her past totally forgotten. She found a letter on her bedside table. After reading the letter, she knew her name and accepted her new identity.

Even though she didn't remember that she had a daughter, she changed Shirley's diaper and fed her milk instinctively.

Anthony arrived home after giving his resignation. Autumn didn't recognize him and she almost jumped in fear at the sight of him entering the door. "Who are you? Why do you have a key to my apartment?" she asked suspiciously, eyeing Anthony as if he was a burglar.

Anthony froze. Searching Autumn's face, he suddenly realized that Autumn had taken the medicine and the drug had taken its effect on her.

He hesitated for a while before saying nervously," I'm... I'm your boyfriend."

'Autumn, now that you've forgotten Charles, please forgive my selfishness. This is the only method that I can keep your company and protect you,' he said to himself.

"Boyfriend?" Autumn asked him disbelievingly. 'There was no mention of a boyfriend in my letter or the name of my daughter's father. I have no recollection of my past now. And I know nothing about this man. How can I accept a stranger as my boyfriend?' she frowned.

"Yeah, I'm your boyfriend. I don't mind that you don't remember me. Take your time," Anthony assured her with a warm smile. "Are your luggage ready? If you're all set, we can go to the airport now," Anthony proposed.

Three years later

Autumn was leading a new life as Sheryl.

She was a single mother and a very famous model on the stage.

The past three years passed in a haze for Sheryl. She had led a tranquil life with her daughter Shirley and Anthony. Although Anthony had claimed to be her boyfriend, she refused to accept his words and proposed to start afresh.

Anthony had been a constant source of support to her and Shirley for the past three years. Sheryl was touched by his devotion and finally agreed to date him. They lived like a normal couple. Although there was a good harmony in their life, there was not much excitement in their relationship.

She always felt like there was something missing in their relationship, but she didn't know exactly what it was.

They were accustomed to each other's company, and she was used to seeing him every day, but she still unconsciously kept her distance from him.

She had been having a recurring nightmare these years. A man called her gently in her dream," Come back to me, Autumn. I missed you so much."

His face was not clear but she couldn't forget the sound of his low, attractive voice which kept resounding in her ear.

'Who is Autumn?

Why do I keep having these weird dreams?' she asked herself, trying to calm her breathing.

All of a sudden, she heard a sound beside her and the bedside lamp turned on, dispelling the darkness in the room.

She rolled over, fluttered her eyes and saw Shirley hovering above her. She was clutching her teddy bear in her slender arms. The face of her lovely daughter reassured her. "Sher, I had a terrible dream," she said sweetly.

"Oh my goodness, did you?" Sheryl asked her daughter lovingly. She uncovered her quilt, scooped up Shirley and lay her down beside her. "You little sly girl, you just don't want to sleep alone, do you?" she said in a motherly tone, rubbing her daughter's small, upturned nose.

A guilty smile crept up in Shirley's face. Recently, Sheryl has been training Shirley to sleep alone in a separate bed. However, things didn't go smoothly. Every night, exactly at midnight, her baby girl would appear in her room clutching her teddy bear.

Looking at her cute face, Sheryl didn't have the heart to push her away. "Shirley, dearest, you have to learn to sleep alone one day," she cooed wrapping her arms gently around her small body.

"I'll do that when I'm a little older. I'm too small," Shirley said seriously, looking up at her mom with a pathetic look in her face. "Sher, when will you marry Tony?" she asked her mom curiously, wrapping her arms around Sheryl's neck.

Shirley meaned everything to Sheryl. She promised herself that she would give her daughter the best future she could give, and that was why she worked very hard to earn and save money.

Her daughter was a very good girl and she never gave her trouble, even as a baby. She didn't throw tantrums like other kids and she was very affectionate. Her only little shortcoming was being too clingy. Sheryl thought that her daughter was perfect. She had a delicate face and a pair of black, starry eyes. Staring at her eyes, Sheryl thought of the man who always appeared in her dream. That man also?had? the same impressive eyes. However, she couldn't remember his name.

"I'm talking to you, Sher. What are you thinking about?" Shirley asked. Unlike other kids, Shirley never called Sheryl, mom. She always called her by her pet nickname for her, Sher. When she was little, she gave Anthony a nickname, too," Tony". And she still called him that.