The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 733 Visiting Zhao Family

"You really think I'm going to listen to you?" Anthony smiled, albeit coldly. The way he was looking at her had Junia's words stuck in her throat.

He wanted to be over the whole episode, but before he could retreat to the comfort of his house, Junia stopped him.

"I have to go, Anthony. You should look after your mother in the hospital. It's the least you can do."

Before walking away she rested her hand on Anthony's, much to his dislike. He felt a piece of paper slip into his hand. "The address," she told him. "Talk things over with her." Anthony didn't look at her as she left. He was done with dealing with anyone for the day. He would drink everyone away that night, he decided.

When morning came, Anthony wasn't so grateful for being sober. He looked at the dreaded piece of paper Junia had left him as it lay on a table in front of him.

Anthony knew of his mother's condition - but for her to be hospitalized? All sense of trust seemed to be fading away from him, maybe even that for his own mother.

Laura was his mother, nonetheless, so he found it in himself to get up and see her, at least. At the hospital, Junia was visiting Laura as she often would. The air seemed to get tenser and tenser as the days went by. "Are you feeling any better?" Laura didn't really need to respond. Junia gave a tight smile.

She suggested to head out and replace some food Laura could enjoy, but the woman declined. "I couldn't enjoy anything right now anyway."

"He'll have to come around," Junia tried to reassure her. "He's a busy man, after all."

Laura put her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Thank you, Junia, for all your support. But I'm not that dense. I know he'd sooner leave the family than sort things out with me."

"He wouldn't," she said as she stood to replace a glass for Laura.

"He knows his duties as a son," she tried to sound certain.

Laura sighed in response. She had no more energy to say more.

As Junia left the room to fetch water, she did not expect to see Anthony.

When he saw her, he turned on his heel to retreat like it was a new reflex. "Anthony!" She walked up to him. "Where are you going?"

She could see his shoulders sag as he sighed. "She's been waiting for you, you know that." He turned to face her properly, with an uncertain look on his face. "How could you suspect your own mother?" Junia scolded. "Do you really think we could deceive you somehow after all that happened?"

He simply stared at her. "Just be a good son and go see her."

Albeit hesitantly, Anthony entered his mother's room.

Upon seeing Anthony, Laura had to stop herself from smiling. It felt like she would be getting what she wanted, finally. "So you finally came," she said, instead.

"Need to see for yourself if I'm sick or faking it?" Anthony clenched his jaw to compose himself. "I'm not here to argue, Mom.

You should go home to rest. I don't understand why Junia has to come to visit you everyday."

He couldn't seem to replace anymore affection in his words towards his mother. "Are you just here to spite me, then?" His mother's words were cold. "Do you hate me now, Anthony?"

"Mom..." Anthony started, but the frustration was strong within him. "I'm not leaving Sheryl, Mom. You have to accept that I'd rather do anything than lose her, even if that means cutting off ties with you." Laura's eyes widened. "You..." She was livid. "You ungrateful son! So this bitch is worth more than your own family? She doesn't deserve it!"

"I love her, don't you understand?" Anthony pleaded. "I couldn't bear to lose her." Anthony's feeling of uncertainty when he arrived turned into distance. His devotion was completely to Sheryl, and he no longer wanted anything to do with this issue. "You should get good rest before going back home. I'll buy the ticket for you to go home," he said as he started walking away.

Laura was speechless.

Much to Junia's concern, she spotted Anthony on his way out. "You're leaving so soon?" Junia asked. "Anthony!" Laura called from inside the room. "Anthony, you come back here!"

He paid no mind to his mother's calls. Anthony left without looking back. Laura propped herself up on the bed. She was desperate, but almost hopeless. All she could do was ask some more of Junia.

"You follow that boy and then tell me if he's going to see that damned woman again." "Aunt Laura." Junia was uncertain.

"I'm not sure. Maybe we should just let him be. He cares for her." "You think I'm going to sit here and leave my son with her?"

Laura leaned forward, the air around her turning threatening. "You go monitor my son, or I'll go do it myself."

Junia swallowed her resistance down, and agreed.

She rushed to replace a taxi to follow Anthony's car. It was parked at some apartment nearby, so she stayed to keep watch.

Not an hour passed when she saw Sheryl walking out of the building. Anthony, however, didn't go to greet her. He simply drove away when Sheryl was out of reach.

Junia sighed. "Are we tailing after the car again?" asked the taxi driver. "There's no more need. Take us back to the hospital, please."

"God dammit." Laura couldn't help but curse when she heard Junia's report.

Junia wouldn't dare

say anything more.

Sheryl went directly to the Zhao family house this morning. There was some obligation to at least try to be closer with her family. Or at least closer than to Charles.

With her parents gone, she had to make sure that her grandparents could at least live without worrying too much about her anymore.

'At least I have Shirley with me,' she thought. Together they carried some gifts to offer.

Abby greeted Sheryl with much delight, and moved in to hug her. "Sher, it's so good to see you. How have you been? We've missed you!"

"You know how busy it gets sometimes, I'm sorry." Sheryl patted her back. "It's good to see you."

Abby wanted to make themselves comfortable and led them inside. Arthur greeted her with the same excitement and affection. They offered to prepare a good meal for her, but Sheryl declined. "Please, you don't have to fuss over me. I came to visit my family." She smiled. She was grateful to them, but felt she was an unworthy granddaughter to be receiving so much warmth.

She should have, at the very least, visited them sooner.