The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 730 Messing Around

"I know you are trying to comfort me," Laura replied with a rueful smile. "He's my son. I know him better than anyone else. He must be very angry with me. He didn't believe I was ill."

Junia looked at her and tried to console her. She said, "Aunt Laura, don't take it too hard. You look utterly washed out. You need rest. We shall talk about it later."

"I'm old and weak now. I know it," Laura said with a bitter smile. "I'm not afraid of death. But I can't bear to leave Anthony alone. I can't see him suffer. But I am disappointed in him now. How can he be so stubborn?"

"Don't say that. You'll be all right soon. The only thing you have to do now is to take a rest. You look tired."

"Junia," Laura took her hand and said, "don't take his words too seriously. Those are only angry words. You take my word for it. Your chance will come soon. Don't give up so easily. You're the only person I can count on now."

"Well, I know what you mean. But..." She hesitated for a moment.

While she was sitting in the ward, waiting for Laura to become conscious, Junia had considered it quite seriously. She could see quite clearly that Anthony was madly in love with Sheryl. Apparently he would never part from her. It would be abominable of her to force herself on him. Then she reached a decision. "I've decided. I will leave when you are discharged. I'm giving up on him." she said.

"But why?" Laura asked, with startled eyes. "Is it because of what he said? You know that was nonsense. He didn't mean it. The woman has made him lose his mind. He'll straighten things out very soon and return for good. Just give him some time."

"It's not only about Anthony," Junia explained. "I've considered it seriously. Though you're not fond of Sheryl, we have to admit that she's a good woman. Maybe the only criticism against her is that she has a child."

She paused for a moment and continued, "Anthony is very serious about her. I don't think there is a chance for me to win his heart. I feel like I am humiliating myself."

"But you can't give up now!" Laura cried. She was very anxious to change Junia's mind. "You don't know. You are the only person I can expect to..." she paused suddenly. "I hope you understand. No one wants their only son to marry a divorced woman. Even if she's a good woman, I just can't accept it," she said firmly.

"Aunt Laura..." Junia frowned slightly, wondering why Laura was insisting on this.

"Please don't give up!" Laura said, looking at her with pitiful eyes. She struggled out of bed and approached Junia. "Just give him some more time. If he still insists on his choice, you can do as you please and I'll make no objection. But it's not the right time to give up. I'm not convinced of it."

For a moment Junia did not answer. To comfort Laura, she decided to give in. "Well, I can stay, but no more than a week. Is that okay?"

"One week shall be alright," Laura replied. Laura insisted that Anthony would free himself from his relationship with Sheryl and Junia's turn would come.

Junia did not reply. Whether they would split up or not, she decided to stay aloof from the whole matter. But she still agreed to stay on for another week.

Laura seemed very pleased by this outcome. A plan formed in her brain. She decided to have a talk with Sheryl and exert pressure on her.

Anthony left the hotel, distracted. He was sick with the knowledge that he had been cheated by his loved ones.

He laughed angrily at his own foolishness. The look of despair on Sheryl's face came into his mind. He felt desperately sorry for her.

He was eager to discuss the whole matter with her and clear the air.

He drove to the front of the building in which Sheryl lived, but his courage suddenly failed him. He sat in the car, smoked and hesitated for a long time, but did not try to go up.

In the hospital, Sheryl was well enough to return home. Charles confirmed this repeatedly with the doctor before agreeing to go ahead the discharge procedures. He impressed upon her the necessity of taking her medicine regularly.

Sheryl looked at him with a sinking heart. His devoted care for her made her feel uneasy.

"What's the matter?" he noticed her expression and asked gently. "Are you feeling okay?" He looked at her with loving eyes.

She smiled at him, shaking her head slightly. "Nothing. It's just that you are so anxious today."

He chuckled and said, "I want you to take care of yourself. I think you and Shirley should move in with me. If you don't feel well at any point of time, I'll be there to look after you."

"I think I'd rather not." Sheryl refused his offer. "You don't bother about that. I can take care of myself. Besides, Nancy can help."

Nancy...

Sheryl frowned at the mention of her. She could never forgive Nancy for the trouble she had caused her. But she had been doing her best since she was hospitalized. So Sheryl didn't know what to do with her. "Shall we go?" he said then. He held her by the arm and they left the hospital.

He drove her home. When they arrived at the apartment building, Anthony saw them together. He suddenly flared up.

He pushed the door open and stormed up to Charles. Without a word, he raised his fist and hit him in the face.

His fist landed squarely on Charles' face before he could react. When Anthony raised his hand to punch him again, Sheryl stood in front of him.

"Sher, get out of the way," he cried, red with rage. "Let me teach him a lesson today."

"Stop messing around! Have you not had enough of this?" Sheryl demanded, restraining herself. Though she was grateful to him, she would never be able to forgive him for concealing the truth from her. He had deceived her with a lie, just to keep her beside him.

"Messing around? Do you think I'm messing around?" he asked, sneering.

"Oh, don't you?" she retorted. "Do you think hitting someone is good manners?" she asked in a cold voice.

"I'm sick of being pestered by you and I am very tired. Will you excuse me?" she said.