The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1021 Anthony Drives Sheryl Home

"Whatever you say, Sheryl, Allen is my brother. He killed Doris and ran away. Doris' mother is overwhelmed by grief and anger. It's normal for her to pick on me," sighed Sue. Sue was sympathetic towards Doris' mother thinking about the pain she had to undergo while burying her young daughter. Although Doris shouldn't have cheated Allen, it was too cruel for Allen to kill her. It was an irreparable loss for the poor mother. Sue felt sorry for her and would refrain from arguing with her if possible.

Sheryl could not help appreciating the kind gesture on Sue's part. She took a sigh and explained, "You silly girl! I really don't know what to say. There is no dispute in the fact that he is your brother. But both of you are adults. You should only be responsible for your behaviors. He is the one who committed a crime. You didn't kill Doris. Why should you take the blame for this?"

Sue lowered her head and didn't reply. Sheryl continued, "In my opinion, you were unlucky to be born in this terrible family. That's why you are kind but indecisive."

"I..." Sue chocked as she tried to speak. She swallowed and tried to control her overwhelming emotions. Then she curved her lips into a bitter smile and said, "I see. Maybe you are right. But I don't know how to get over this. I just can't bring myself to stop thinking about that."

"Think more about your baby. Will it be a boy or a girl? Who will it resemble more-you or Anthony? Why don't you spare some time and visit a bookstore? Buy some books on parenting children. This is your first baby. I am sure you have many questions. You will find the answers in books. Just focus all your energies on your baby and prepare yourself for being a good mother," Sheryl consoled Sue with a smile. Thinking about Doris' death was indeed a very regressive thought. Especially, Sue could not do anything to make the situation better. Rather, diverting her mind into more constructive things was easy. Sheryl's comforting words helped Sue calm down. She pushed the unwelcome idea at the back of her mind. Being a mother was exciting. Slowly her face broke into a smile as she began to think and speak more about the baby. She started imagining her future plan and talked about it with Sheryl.

'It is impossible for Sue to forget the trouble Allen caused. Her attention is temporally diverted by her baby,' Sheryl thought as she tried to cheer Sue up by indulging her in a candid conversation.

It had been a long time since they met. They kept talking and didn't even notice that the dusk had fallen. Their conversation was interrupted when Anthony came in. He greeted Sheryl causally and then turned to Sue. He asked what she had done the whole day and how she felt today. He consciously avoided conversing much with Sheryl taking Sue's feelings into consideration.

In front of Anthony, Sue seemed to be very obedient. Anthony didn't talk much to Sheryl, which made her feel much comfortable. After all, they had been seeing each other at one point in time. Now when Sheryl watched Anthony and Sue together, she felt very peaceful in her mind. Anthony's concern towards Sue made her smile from the bottom of her heart. Finally, everything fell in place for Sheryl, Charles, Sue, and Anthony.

Their intimate interaction was a relief for Sheryl. She was glad to see Anthony flirting with Sue.

In the beginning, she had been worried about their relationship. They had known each other for years. And then the sudden love triangle developed between the three of them. Sheryl always wondered what made Anthony accept Sue so quickly. Was it because Sue was pregnant? If they were together just because of the baby, their love wouldn't last long.

Anthony's obvious concern towards Sue lifted a big weight off Sheryl's shoulders.

Anthony and Sue kept talking as if there was no one else in the room. When Sue noticed Sheryl was still here, she asked Anthony to leave. "Okay. I am fine. Now, you can go downstairs and take some rest. I still have something to talk with Sher."

"Okay. I will go downstairs and help my mother cook dinner. You two can come down later." Anthony nodded looking at Sue tenderly. It seemed he had developed a beautiful understanding with Sue, which really made Sheryl assured about their relationship.

"Okay," Sue agreed smiling back at him.

When Anthony left, Sheryl smiled at Sue teasingly and said, "I didn't know you are so close." The relationship between her and Anthony had ended. She was happy to see Sue get along so well with Anthony. Sue blushed and broke into a smile as she replied sheepishly, "He is very good to me."

"Well, that's fine. I felt relieved to hear that!" Sheryl said with a nod.

"Stop talking about me. Let's talk about you. How are you getting along with your children? How is Charles treating you?" Sue felt shy and changed the topic before Sheryl could intrigue further about her growing bond with Anthony. Instead, she now turned the topic towards Sheryl.

Sheryl grinned and said, "I am fine. Charles is good to me." Although she lived separately from Charles for three long years, their love didn't fade. Sue broke into a smile looking at the contented smile on Sheryl's face.

"Have you ever considered about having another baby? Even though you have a son and a daughter, but you didn't raise them together. It is so sad. The days you and Charles have missed would never come back. If you have another baby, you can raise him from the moment it is born." Sue became thoughtful as she spoke. Then she took a deep sigh and continued her statement. "Clark has been with Leila since his birth.

You were not even there in his childhood. You have only witnessed Shirley's growing up, but then Charles could not be a part of the growing years for any one of them. He has two children, but he met them only when they were three years old. I guess he was sad. This regret will be there with him throughout his life."

"I agree. You are right. Missing their childhood will always be the deepest regret for both of us," Sheryl let out a sigh and said softly.

Sheryl lowered her eyes and momentarily the jovial tone that had set in their conversation changed into a rather serious one. After a while, she held Sue's hand, smiled again and added, "In fact, Charles has mentioned this thing to me. And I agree to have another baby."

Sue literally sprang on the place she was sitting and asked eagerly, "How are you then? Are you pregnant?" It would be great for Sheryl to have another baby.

"Not yet. Babies are gifts from heaven. There is no need to hurry. Just let it come on its own," Sheryl replied shaking her head.

"You are right," Sue answered, nodding her head. Before they continued their conversation, Anthony came upstairs and told them that the dinner was ready. Sheryl helped Sue go down the stairs.

During the dinner, Anthony paid much attention to Sue. He served the food into Sue's bowl. There were fish and shrimps. He served her fish without fishbone and shrimps without shells. Sue seemed to be enjoying the considerate service. It was obvious that Anthony had done this before.

Laura was courteous with Sheryl and asked her to help herself. Sheryl replied to her with a polite smile and enjoyed the dinner.

Anthony was busy tending to Sue. He didn't begin eating until Sue said she was full.

Before they finished their supper, it began to rain heavily. Sheryl had said she came here by subway. Laura looked outside the window and said, "It's raining cats and dogs. Anthony, drive Sheryl home after you finish your supper.

It is not safe for a woman to go home alone."

Sheryl refused Laura's kindness. "No, Aunt Laura. I can go home by subway. Let Anthony be with Sue."

"It's okay. Let Anthony drive you home." Sue tried to persuade Sheryl. She seemed to be much secured and confident about Anthony driving Sheryl to her home.

"I will drive you home," Anthony said firmly.

Since all the three of them persuaded Sheryl, she agreed to be dropped home by Anthony. It would be too impolite to say no.

Anthony put down his chopsticks and got up. "I will be back soon," he said turning towards Sue. Sue smiled back at him and then at Sheryl. Then Anthony turned his gaze at Sheryl and said, "Let's go. The rain has subsided a little. Let's not delay. I will drive you home."

"Okay. Thank you," Sheryl said shortly and got up from the chair. It would be weird to sit in the same car with Anthony, but she had no other option. She bid adieu to Laura politely, gave a warm hug to Sue and said, "Take good care of yourself and always think about positive things. You will have a happy child. I will see you soon."

"Okay," Sue nodded and saw Sheryl off. When Sheryl and Anthony left, she went to her own room.

Sheryl maintained a distance as she followed Anthony to the car. She took her seat and looked out of the window focusing on the raindrops falling on the windows.

There was total silence, an air of momentary mutual embarrassment.

"Are you ... are you okay? Does Charles treat you well?" Anthony broke the silence and asked. He was wondering how she has been.

"I am good," Sheryl smiled and answered briefly.

She turned to Anthony and advised him to pay more attention to Sue. "I noticed Sue was in low spirits. If you have time, try to give her company." As a common friend of both Anthony and Sue, Sheryl wanted them to be happy. Sue was a very soft-hearted girl and wouldn't cut off the relations with her family no matter what.

Anthony sighed, "I see. She is worried about Allen." Although Anthony knew what had happened, he was completely helpless in this case. After all, Doris was dead. And there was no choice but to send Allen into prison. Sue was somehow not able to accept her brother going behind the bars.