The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 791 Who Would Be Shirley's Dad

Charlie glared at Leila and spoke in a cold voice, "You know it better than anyone else who is lying and who is not, don't you?"

Charlie was way too intelligent for his age. Leila knew it very well that she could not have fooled him. Still she tried to convince him and explained anxiously, "Charlie, listen to me... Sheryl is a liar. She is a cheater. Don't trust her. She will never even think of you."

Hearing this Charlie sneered, "I imagined what you would say today. I hoped that you might have changed and regretted about what you have done. I thought you would apologize for your deeds. But I was wrong. Anybody like you should stay in the jail." Charlie could not bear it when Leila tried to defame Sheryl in front of him.

He put a sarcastic smile on his face and looked at Leila as he revealed, "Now do not be shocked when I tell you that I knew you were not my biological mother, but I have held the truth to myself." Leila had never expected this to come from Charlie and blurted, "What... What do you mean?"

Leila was completely dumbstruck by the remark. She stared at him with a jaw-dropping silence as he spoke with an all-knowing smile on his face. "Do you remember the body examination you did earlier?" Charlie continued, "Right from that time I knew that you could never be my biological mother. And you must also be aware that even our blood types do not match. So, you see. I knew the truth all this while. It's just that I didn't tell you." Charlie looked Leila in the eye and continued, "Do you know why I'm here today? Because I hoped that you would change. If so, I would plead with Dad to help you. After all, you have brought me up. But what you have just said changed my mind. I think it would be much better to leave you here."

Leila was startled. She knew that Charlie was different - he was more independent and smarter than other children - but Leila never expected him to have so many secrets. She could never get a hold on this kid and as it turned out, she was not likely to have him ever.

All these years Leila thought that she had kept the truth a secret, but now, it was as clear as the day light and she did not even have to speak it out. She realized that it was she who was in the dark. This little imp knew the truth! That was why he always treated her in such an indifferent manner.

"If you already knew it," Leila asked, pulling herself out of the shock, "why didn't you ask me?"

Charlie sneered, "If I asked you, would you tell me the truth? Not a chance, of course. So, why bother to raise the question?" Charlie's words were way bigger than his tender frame.

Charlie looked at her face and said in a very rueful expression, "I shouldn't have come here today."

"Charlie, listen to me..." Leila cried, trying to stop him as he turned his back and walked away. But he didn't stop. Nor did he bother to look back for even once.

Charles waited for him outside the door. He rushed toward Charlie immediately and asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes," Charlie replied briefly. Then he raised his head up and looked at Charles in the eye. "Dad, I want a new name," he said.

"That's great," Charles replied sounding enthusiastic. Even he wanted to change Charlie's name, but he had never mentioned the idea because he thought that Charlie might not like it. But now it was Charlie who wanted a new name, so there would be no problem at all. Both the father and son agreeing on the same matter, cheered and proceeded homewards leaving back the remorseful past.

When Charlie and Charles arrived home, they saw Sheryl and Shirley walking toward them. Seeing Charlie, Sheryl was surprised and asked, "Where have you been?"

Then she grumbled in a flirtish manner, "Charles, how could you take Charlie out in this condition? He is wounded. He needs rest."

"I'm fine. Don't worry." Charlie interrupted Sheryl with a smile.

After the meal, Charles told Sheryl about Charlie's intention of getting a new name. Sheryl considered for a moment and said, "He is our child, so it's not proper to call him Charlie Zhang. But then, what should we call him?"

Suddenly, one name flashed through Sheryl's mind and she sprang up in excitement as she revealed it. "Clark. How about Clark?" she said. Charles liked the name and said, "Great. That's perfect." Suddenly, there was a spark in their eyes as if they were naming their new born.

Charles also wanted to replace a new name for Shirley. But, he kept his wish in his mind thinking that Sheryl might not be happy with it.

Later, Charles sent Sheryl and Shirley back to their home. After Sheryl got off the car, she looked at Charles and said, "Well, Charlie will be fine in a couple of days. So I was thinking of going back to the company. The show is about to start, and I have missed out on so many courses... I need to catch up on the training, Charles. When the show is over, I will be back and take care of Charlie."

"Sher. I told you that the show is not a big deal. If you don't want to be there, just forget it," Charles replied with a frown.

But it was hard to dissuade Sheryl from her professional commitment. "No way," she said, "I have signed the contract, so I must fulfill my duty." "Well, then. Do whatever you want." Charles finally gave in to her wish as he knew her very well. He agreed without saying a single word.

When Sheryl and Shirley waited the lift to lower down, Shirley suddenly raised her head and asked, "Mommy, is Uncle Charles my daddy?"

Sheryl was completely taken aback by this question. She didn't want to talk about this with Sheryl right now.

For a moment, she wanted to keep the secret to herself, but at the end, she decided to tell the truth. 'Maybe it's time for the kid to know the truth,' she thought.

She squatted down so she could look into Shirley's eyes. "Why do you ask this question all of a sudden?"

Shirley answered innocently, "Because Charlie said that he is my brother. He said that I am his sister and he would protect me."

Shirley stared at Sheryl and said, "If he is my brother, then Uncle Charles must be my daddy, right?"

As Sheryl heard her daughter reasoning out so well, she broke in a smile. "So, do you want Uncle Charles to become your daddy?" Sheryl asked.

She knew Charlie was sensible enough to accept the change. Shirley, however, was too young to understand all these and was not even as sophisticated as Charlie. Sheryl knew that Shirley had to be prepared for this.

She needed to know her mind because she was afraid that Shirley would be unable to accept it.

"Well... I like him." Shirley remained silent for a while and answered after consideration, with her head tilted to one side. "Uncle Charles is nice and so is Charlie."

"So... Will you be happy if he becomes your daddy?" Sheryl asked nervously.

Since Sheryl got her memory back, she was thinking about restoring her relationship with Charles. And this was an opportunity to know the opinions of Charlie and Shirley. "But... How about Tony? Will he also be with us?" Shirley asked with the same innocence. But the name hit Sheryl like a whip making her spinal chord become erect in one blow. Shirley had become almost autistic because of Anthony. Even though Shirley was fine now, Sheryl could never forgive Anthony for what he had done.

"Why do you mention Anthony?" Sheryl asked.

Shirley seemed to be confused and answered, "Tony has also asked if he could be my father. But I don't like him anymore."

Then, she continued, "In TV programs, men and women would hold their hands together if they like each other. You never put your hand into his, so even you don't like him, right?" Sheryl heaved a deep sigh as she heard Shirley. She would have to tread this path with a lot of care. Shirley was a very sensitive child. With the slightest remorse or regret in her little mind, Sheryl could not make a decision. She had to prepare Shirley before she chose to be with Charles again.