The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 772 To Atone For What He Had Done

"What! What's going on? What on earth are you saying?" Abby inquired in a shocked and disbelieving voice. She completely froze where she was standing when she heard Andy's news. Apparently, Shirley and Charlie were missing.

"Both of them? Missing? How? Why? Did they search for them everywhere?" She couldn't believe her ears and found it hard to accept the news. She fell on the sofa in fear on seeing Andy nod his head. She was frightened out of her wits and her body and mind were not cooperating with her. Dumbly she asked, "What... what should we do now? Shall we go to Sheryl. Oh my god, she must be mad with worry." "Abby, you just stay at home. I'll go and help them look for the kids," Andy took charge and replied in a forceful tone. He had wronged Abby and her family earlier. Now it was time for him to make up for his past behavior.

Abby wanted to go with him. But he didn't allow her to do so. There were two old persons in the house who needed her care. It was already very late and he did not want the two elders to worry.

Abby was upset at this arrangement and said sarcastically, "If you really cared so much about them, you would not have dared commit all your past misdeeds."

"I know. I accept it. I am at fault," he admitted and smiled wryly. He was left with no choice but say gently, "What has happened is over and done with. Please don't make me feel more guilty. I am already miserable about it. I am leaving now. You sleep on time and don't wait up for me."

Although Abby went to bed, she just could not fall asleep. She kept tossing and turning as a million negative thoughts kept racing through her head. She waited anxiously for Andy to return. It was nearly dawn when he finally came back home.

She hastily went over to him and asked, "Have the children been found?"

Andy helplessly shook his head. With a tired look he replied, "Leila has taken them away. So far there is no trace of them. Nobody has found them."

"What about Sher? How is she holding up?" Abby hurriedly asked.

Andy shook his head slightly. "She is not good."

Shirley's autism had already left Sheryl heartbroken. Now with Shirley's missing, Sheryl had completely broken down. He had seen Charles so worried that his eyes were red with unshed tears, while Sheryl cried herself hoarse.

After midnight Sheryl was so overcome by despair that she fell unconscious.

Poor Charles had to rush her to the hospital. He also could not call off the search for both the children. Everybody was worried for Charles now. It was not sure how Charles would get through this tough time. "How could you come back? Why didn't you stay there and help?" Abby was angry at Andy. She pointed her finger at Andy and scolded, "It is all happening because of you. How can I face Sheryl without any guilt in the future? I will be too ashamed to look her in the face again."

Andy grimaced and tried to defend himself, "Abby, I knew that you would be extremely anxious to know what was happening. I came back to inform you the current situation. I promise you, I will try my best to help replace them. Don't worry."

"Then why don't you just go and replace them quickly? Stop stalling, go, go, go." Abby tried to push him out. She yelled as he was about to leave, "If you fail to replace them, you don't need to come back. And we are also done."

This was the first time that Abby had voiced anything like this. She had never threatened to break up at any point in their marriage. Andy was taken aback at her words. Abby also regretted her words as they escaped her mouth.

Andy flared up and began to fight with Abby. Neither of them noticed Arthur standing in the doorway.

He looked at them and asked coldly, "Why are both of you quarreling? What do you mean they are missing? Who are missing?"

Both Andy and Abby were stunned to hear Arthur's voice.

Andy had no choice but to tell him about the missing children. Arthur's expression turned hard as he heard the full story. He glanced at Andy and asked, "You said the police have been informed. What are the police saying?"

"They had a look at the CCTV camera footage and found that it was Leila who took them away. They did not replace anything beyond that." Andy replied honestly. He sighed heavily before he continued, "Dad, don't worry. I will fulfill my responsibility in this matter. I will help Charles replace his children."

"That's good." Arthur nodded his head slightly. "Andy, this is not the time to argue about who should take responsibility. The most important thing now is that the two kids come back safe and sound. We can't just sit and wait. The more time we waste, the more danger the kids will be in," Arthur added with a hard expression.

"Yes, that is why I rushed to their help," Andy glanced meaningfully at Arthur and replied. Although Charles did not want to see his face at all, he was sincerely hoping to make amends for his past wrongdoings. "Sheryl has fainted and is in the hospital. They have given her sedatives to calm her mind. Charles can't look for the kids and look after Sheryl at the same time. I think it will be a good idea if mom can take care of Sheryl. Then Charles can focus his full attention on searching the kids. However, I'm afraid that mom will...", Andy's voice trailed. He was worried that this incident would be difficult for Amy to deal with. He feared she would be overwhelmed by the bad news.

"I will break this news to Amy. You just go there and help. Notify us as soon as there is any progress," Arthur cut in and told him firmly.

Andy left on hearing Arthur's words. Arthur drew in a deep breath and went to inform Amy of this sad news.

Amy was at a loss for words and started crying. It was a while before she calmed down. Then she went to the kitchen and began to make some soup for Sheryl. Immediately after she left for the hospital with Arthur and Abby.

At the hospital, Sheryl had regained consciousness. Charles stood beside her bed silently. Both of them looked miserable.

Sheryl looked out of the window with hollow eyes. A breakfast tray was by her side untouched.

"Sher, please be strong and have faith. We will replace the kids soon. They will be safe. You need your strength so please eat a little at least," Charles pleaded with her in a tearful voice. Charles was extremely emotional. He blamed himself for letting Leila replace an opportunity to kidnap both his children. This was beyond terrible.

Sheryl replied in a weary voice, "Just take the tray away. I have no appetite. The smell of that food is nauseating."

She was really not hungry. The thought that Shirley had to experience so much trauma at such a young age left her torn with grief.

She agonized that she was definitely an unfit mother.

"You need to eat something..." Charles continued to persuade her to eat. But Sheryl just ignored his words. The door opened. Abby, Arthur and Amy came in. Charles moved aside awkwardly to let them come to Sheryl's bedside.

"Grandma, Grandpa!" Upon seeing her family, she couldn't hold back her tears. Amy put an arm around Sheryl and hugged as she also cried. Arthur finally intervened and said, "That's enough. Stop crying both of you."

He stared at Amy and said, "You came here to take care of Sher and be her strength, so get a grip on yourself."

Abby also reasoned with her, "Mom, Sher has regained consciousness. If she continues crying, she will faint again."

Amy, with some effort, stopped crying and reassured Sheryl, "Sher, don't cry dear. All will be fine. I have bought some hot chicken soup for you. Just have a little bit. Only if you are healthy, you will have enough energy to look after Shirley when she is back, right?"

Amy's gentle coaxing and nagging induced Sheryl to eat some of the soup.

Charles' expression softened when he saw Sheryl eat.

Arthur walked over to Charles and said, "Charles, I want to talk to you. Can we step outside?"

Charles looked lovingly at Sheryl and then followed Arthur out.

They headed for a secluded corner. Charles instantly said, "Grandpa, I promise you I will replace the children and bring them back."

"I know you will," Arthur nodded. "I want to know what exactly happened. How on earth could someone just kidnap two small children so easily?"