The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 728 A Life Of Memories

"Okay," the word came out dry from Charles' mouth. The news of Sheryl's memory returning did not spark anything within him.

Whether she was Sheryl or Autumn, whether or not she remembered her past — it was her life, and he had nothing to do with that. It didn't affect how he felt about her.

What did concern him, however, was how often her head ached, and how often she felt faint lately.

"Sher," the nickname felt right on his lips, he thought. It didn't matter if the woman in front of him held new memories that day, he would treat her as he always would. "How are you? Do you feel better now?" He went to her side in concern. It pained him to see her in such a state, leaning on the bed with a needle in her hand, looking fragile and restless.

At that moment, Sheryl felt more whole. She remembered many things. She looked at Charles and felt the affection she had tucked away within herself - she had loved him deeply.

Even so, she could not completely recall the moment when she had her baby. She could piece most things together, but not the piece she cared for the most.

"What's wrong?" Charles prodded. "Are you feeling sick?" When she didn't answer, he motioned to David. "Call the doctor in."

It snapped Sheryl out of her little trance, and she sighed. "I'm fine, Charles. I don't need to see the doctor."

"You worry me," he sounded uncertain. Charles sat down near her, but not close enough to disturb where she rested. "What can I do? If something happens to you, what can I do?"

Sheryl gave him a smile. It was slight, but reassuring. "I'm fine. I promise." 'Autumn,' she suddenly thought of the name. She was Autumn, and she still was, even if she had led a different life for three years. "What's the matter?" Charles wanted to comfort her, make her feel safe. But he knew that a million things were going on in her head, he could see it in her eyes. She was in front of him, but her mind was far away, putting together pieces of a life she has drifted away from.

He took her hand in his. "Do you remember everything?"

The question made her swallow dry. She never expected Charles to be there as she recovered, and she wasn't sure how to deal with it. After thinking for a while, she shook her head. She didn't want to lie to him, but she just didn't know how to face him.

As she looked up, she caught a glance at herself in the mirror on the wall across from there. It stunned her. Those were her eyes looking back at her, on her own pale face and empty expression. For a moment, it seemed as if her reflection had kept the secret all along. During those three years, Autumn lived inside of her.

Now, she could see herself, Autumn, standing in her own skin, next to Charles- the man she had once called husband. "Charles, I..." An ache crept up in her chest."

"That's okay." He stopped her. He knew how much harder it must be for her, and he didn't want any guilt to worsen the burden she was undoubtedly putting on herself. He leaned in to hug her tightly. "I'm glad you're fine."

His words moved her. Sheryl could barely respond, but her heart was full of warmth - a feeling she did not realize she was so familiar with.

He gave her another reassuring smile. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them gently. She was a treasure to her, one that had been lost and finally recovered.

Sheryl could feel the softness in his touch and in his voice, and it warmed her so.

"The doctor said that what you need now is good rest. I'll go get you something to eat." With the same gentleness, he helped her lie back down on the bed and pulled up her covers. He turned to Alice and with a sharp voice he said, "You're to take care of Sheryl. If anything happens, call me immediately."

"Of course, Mr. Lu." She nodded and reassured him.

While Charles was away, Alice could see Sheryl stirring on the bed as she struggled to get some sleep. She moved to sit beside her. "I'm so glad you're back, Mrs. Lu."

Sheryl smiled in appreciation. She was quite restless inside. She wasn't completely sure about how she felt, or what the aches in her chest were for.

For three years she lived with her head muddled, things that were important to her ceased to exist in her own mind, and she had made far many new memories in that state. How could she face her life as it was? How would she deal with Anthony and Charles?

Alice could almost hear her overthinking. "Let me tell you something." It made Sheryl pause and look at her, at least. "While you were gone, Mr. Lu was possessed. He dedicated everything to looking for you around the world.

You came back eventually, but your memories were gone. I'm sorry that you had to deal with something so unfortunate, the two of you loved each other very much. I figured you both would feel like a part of you was missing, for a long time." She smiled, almost relieved. "Now you're back, truly back, and I couldn't be happier for you."

"Has he really... Has he really been looking for me all this time?" Her question came out hesitantly.

It had been three years, and a lot could change in that time, she knew it. If she were Charles, she wasn't sure she would keep looking.

"No, Mrs. Lu," Alice said earnestly. "You were gone for years, and everybody thought you were probably..." She paused for a bit. "Well, dead. But Mr. Lu never stopped believing you were out there. Now everyone will see he was right to keep looking for you."

She smiled reassuringly, but Sheryl had that complicated feeling in her chest once again. How could she have deserved Charles' love for her? How could she face him after all he had done for her? She was with Anthony the past few years. And while they never slept together, She couldn't help but feel bad for Charles.

It was a long day, Sheryl thought. "I'm quite tired now. Thank you, Alice. I'll try to sleep for a while." She closed her eyes and tried to will the loud thoughts away.

"Alright, Mrs. Lu. You have a good rest, and call me if you need anything. I'll just be at the door."

Alice made her way out, and Sheryl was alone in the room. It was chaos in her mind. Too many thoughts came rushing in and out, too many 'what-if's' and 'what-should've-been's.' It was too much for her. When Charles returned, he was as quiet as possible so as to not wake her. She could still hear him, of course, because she was wide awake, but she had no mind to face him.

She didn't know how.

For a time, Charles thought that as long as Sheryl recovered her memory, they would be able to replace the child. Her memories were back, but something about this cursed day still kept it away from them. 'Maybe...' he started to think. 'Maybe it's better this way. Maybe it's better that she doesn't remember the pain of having a child, and losing one.'