The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 746 Unbiased Treatment

"Nancy! He is just a child." Sheryl intervened and said, "Regardless of what his mother did, he is innocent and I can never even think in my wildest dreams to harm him. How can you even think that I will be so cruel to him?" The vulnerability of Sheryl was clearly reflected in her voice.

Nancy scowled and looked at Sheryl; she wanted to help her make a decision. "Sheryl!" Nancy called her politely. "You're a kindhearted woman, but you don't have to be kind to everyone. Leila is Charlie's mother. Can't you figure out what will happen? Charlie will definitely support his mother when you will have words with Leila. So, what will you do about it then?" Nancy said in aggression. "You have to think about it at any cost and make up your mind. It is not just about the sake of yourself, think about your daughter too. Why don't you understand Sheryl? This is for your own better future," Nancy added. Sheryl glanced at Nancy and said, "That's enough nonsense for now. I totally understand what you said and how concerned you are for me and my daughter, but Charlie is just a child to me. It's true that he is Leila's son, but no matter what his mother had done, it was all that happened before he was born. He has nothing to do with that! And keep in mind that I can't do any harm to a child.

And, I heartily believe that you will be nice to him too. Will you, Nancy?"

"But listen..." Nancy wanted to say something but stopped and gasped. Indeed, it was now clear that Sheryl was determined to cause no harm to Charlie.

Sheryl was indeed a kindhearted woman! That kind of woman was easy to be hurt even on the smallest of things. What happened with Brent was the best proof of this! Thereby, it was somehow inevitable that she would never hurt anyone or let alone a small child.

However, Nancy truly wanted to help Sheryl to protect herself. Though, when Sheryl turned her down, she had no way but to accept her decision.

"Okay. Do whatever you think is right for you," Nancy grunted.

And, Sheryl continued exhorting her to be nice to the kid. She told her in clear-cut words that she must not even think of any evil plans to hurt Charlie in any way. Nancy nodded and Sheryl walked away without even looking at Nancy. As soon as Sheryl stepped out, she was shocked and abashed to see Charlie standing by the door of the kitchen.

Sheryl got embarrassed and thought that Charlie must have heard what Nancy and she were discussing inside. She got extremely tensed and started to curse herself in the heart. She was very nervous and ashamed. However, she gathered enough courage to inquire in awe, "Charlie, what are you doing here? Is everything Alright?"

Charlie signaled the phone and said, "Dad is on the call."

Sheryl grabbed the phone hastily and hold it on her ear. Charles informed Sheryl that Shirley was still asleep, hence she didn't need to reach the hospital in a hurry. She hung up the phone immediately. Charlie was sitting by the table enjoy each bit of his delicious wonton. Sheryl looked at him and was horrified in mere confusion. She was constantly wondering how would she bear if Charlie had listened to the conversation. She was ashamed and was not even able to make eye contact with Charlie.

Even though he is just a child, but he can easily comprehend every sentence that he would have heard while standing by the door. All this time Sheryl was hoping deep inside her heart that Charlie would not have listened to anything. She thought that she was just overthinking and there was nothing to worry about at all.

Sheryl didn't want him to be affected by all what was happening between the elders of the home. She wanted to safeguard his innocence as her utmost priority and to shower him with love and nurture. But, realizing that after listening to the conversation Charlie would never trust her, Sheryl got more tensed. Just a mere thought of losing Charlie's trust was enough to make her upset.

It wasn't until near seven o'clock, Sheryl decided to go to the hospital to give breakfast to Shirley. She carried a thermos and took Charlie's hand and left the home hastily. Charlie kept his head down and walked with her without even making a single sound. Sheryl was afraid to confess Charlie but she could no longer resist asking him, "Charlie, did you hear what we said just now?"

Charlie looked up and stared at Sheryl. "What?" he asked while trying to act normal.

Sheryl was not able to make eye contact with Charlie and thus, she rolled her eyes up and said, "I mean, did you hear what Nancy and I were discussing in the kitchen? Were you listening to us?" Charlie still kept his head down and remained silent. It was clear that he had no words to answer Sheryl in any way.

Sheryl squatted, and took a deep breath to finally gather enough courage to look at him and said, "Charlie, you don't have to worry about anything in front me. You can tell me anything, it's okay honey." Sheryl was now feeling a bit relaxed. After waiting for him for a while, Sheryl continued, "It's okay if you heard us, and I want to tell you that Nancy didn't mean to harm you, she was just..."

"Okay," Charlie interrupted her. And, he looked up at Sheryl in a strange way. He was sure that Charles didn't love Leila. He was constantly thinking that he was born as a result of a mere mistake between his parents.

There was a constant battle going on in the mind of Charlie. What all he could think of was who his real mother was if it wasn't Leila??

"Are you sure it is okay?" Sheryl asked him again in embarrassment. She wanted to clear all doubts but all in vain since Charlie did not want to talk about it. Sheryl thought that Charlie was too calm and mature for his age.

"I'm fine Sher, trust me," Charlie replied coldly. Charlie hailed a taxi and took Sheryl's hand. "Come on fast, Shirley must be waiting for me. I want to meet her soon."

Charlie successfully managed to change the topic and they both remained silent throughout the journey. They both reached the hospital and Shirley was still asleep. Charlie sat beside Shirley's bed and began thinking all that had happened again. Sheryl put the breakfast Nancy prepared on the table and said to Charles, "Come and eat something, you have been staying up here all night, you must be very tired and hungry too."

"I'm all good." Charles smiled warmly and asked Sheryl if she had had breakfast.

"Yes, I already had." Sheryl nodded slightly, and she stood up and went out to get some hot water. At the same moment, Charles caught Charlie staring at him.

There was a constant battle going on in his mind. He was thinking about whom he should choose to be with once he could replace out about his own mother.

"Charlie, what happened? What are you thinking son?" Charles looked at Charlie and asked with great concern if he was feeling sick.

"No, I'm fine Dad." Charlie shook his head but Charles still asked him to stand in front of him. He asked, "What's on earth is the matter with you? Tell me! What is bothering you? Have you had your breakfast yet?"

"Yes." Charlie nodded.

But he still looked sorrowful. Charles frowned and looked at his son. "Charlie, you can tell me anything. I'm your father. I love you, my son."

Charlie paused a bit; it seemed he was figuring out whether it was right to ask this yet. He questioned Charles, "Dad, will you marry Sheryl?"

Charles was taken aback by what Charlie just asked; he never expected Charlie would ask him that question ever. In mere shock, Charles could do nothing other than starring Charlie for the next couple of minutes.

He didn't know how to answer him, so he paused for a while and replied, "Charlie, so you like Sher, don't you?"

"Yes, I do like her," Charlie responded.

He did like Sheryl but he didn't know if he should like her or not since, she would be her stepmother. It was just that Charlie was afraid that he would no longer matter to his father, once his father married Sheryl.

"So what would you say if I make her your mother?" Charles smiled and looked at Charlie in mere desperation. Charlie didn't say yes

or either no.

Charles was not able to understand why his son was behaving like that. But being a father, he was sure to protect his own boy. Since, Charlie had told him that he like Sheryl, but he was worried. Thus, determined to give his son some faith, he decided to make his son believe that he would be loved by his father forever.

Charles said to Charlie, "Remember this, I am your father, so I'll always love you no matter who I marry. I won't leave you and I'll be always responsible for you. If I marry Sheryl, she will love you, too. And, together we both will have your back!

Think about it yourself, haven't she always been nice to you? I know that you have been trying hard to act be nice and mature, and I am proud of you my son. But. I want to tell you, honey, you don't have to be like that. You don't have to suppress your desires. You can tell us anything you want including your worries about the evil stepmother. I promise that I won't let anything bad happen to you at any cost, okay? I won't let you compromise in any situation." Charles hugged Charlie tightly as a symbol of love.