The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 634 A Friendship Ends (Part Two)

Sue stared at Sheryl angrily and said, "If he had been happy, I would have been content. But look at what you have done. You had the best possible man in the world, but you didn't cherish him. Instead, you showed loyalty to another man. You went out of the way to do things for him. You completely forgot your faithful Anthony, you ungrateful woman. I feel really sorry for him. Do you know he called me last night? He said your number was switched off. His sad voice broke my heart. Sheryl, I really hate you! If you don't love Anthony, then just leave him for me."

She continued with a sneer,"After all, you have Charles now. Just leave Anthony for me. I will be more loyal to him than you and treat him better also."

"I had a talk with Charles. We won't meet again. I have already told you this. From now on, I will give my full attention to Anthony and we will live a harmonious and happy life. I know you love him, but I won't let you have him even though we are friends," Sheryl said looking at Sue with an earnest expression.

Sue didn't reply. She just felt sorry for Anthony and herself. 'How can Sheryl take Anthony's love for granted? I hate her for treating him so badly. If only I could be his girlfriend!' These thoughts kept churning bitterly in her mind.

Sheryl felt embarrassed. It was clear to her that she and Sue couldn't go back to their old friendship. She forced a smile and said,"Mimi, I cherished our friendship. I know you love Anthony. However, I can't sacrifice my relationship with Anthony for your sake. That was why I turned a blind eye to your obvious affection for him. Now..."

She didn't finish her words. Instead she sighed deeply and said in a resigned voice, "I must leave. Shirley is alone at home. "

She didn't know how she was going to get along with Sue anymore. Some words just wounded deep as knives. She felt angry also. Although she regretted her words, she knew that their friendship had surely ended.

She walked towards the door with a heavy heart. She was about to step out when Sue called her name. She didn't look back, but paused to listen to what Sue had to say. Sue's voice was calm but determined. "Sheryl, since you now know that I love Anthony, I won't hide my deep feelings for him anymore. Let's have a fair fight. Let us wait and see who wins his heart."

After some hesitation, she continued, "I am afraid our friendship is over. I do hope you will not blame me for that. I just want to pursue my own happiness. If you can't make Anthony happy, I will take your place in his life. I will love him with my whole heart."

It was an open declaration of war. Sue made it clear that from then on she wouldn't take her friendship with Sheryl into account. All she would do was to win Anthony's love.

Sheryl left Sue's apartment without uttering a word. She knew their friendship had broken and was beyond repair at the moment.

When she reached her apartment she found Shirley watching a cartoon. She told Shirley to continue what she was doing and called Anthony after giving it some thought. She was soon speaking to Anthony on the phone. "Sher, what is going on? Why couldn't I reach you on your phone? I called Sue last night, but she had no idea where you were. You..."

Anthony said anxiously. He had been very worried about Sheryl.

"Anthony," Sheryl interrupted him. She hesitated and then decided to tell him the truth. "Do you remember the nightmare I have shared with you earlier?" she asked uncertainly.

"What?" Anthony asked in surprise. He was startled and clenched his phone tightly. 'Has she gotten back her memory? I hope not, ' he thought with fear.

Sheryl added, "The nightmare about my difficult labour."

"Why are you thinking of that? I have told you it was only a nightmare. It doesn't matter and it means nothing. Don't think further about that," Anthony tried his best to calm down and consoled her.

"My gut says it wasn't a nightmare. Yesterday I noticed Charlie has a birthmark on his wrist. The baby boy in my dream has the same birthmark," Sheryl said with her forehead creased with worry. Her memory was messed up, so she didn't suspect Charlie to be her biological son.

"What? How could it be?" Anthony retorted. He wasn't expecting to hear this shocking news. He thoroughly wished her memory would never come back.

"When I saw the birthmark, I passed out with shock and fear. After that I repeatedly had that dream. Anthony, can you explain why I had that dream?" Sheryl asked. Her brain seemed to have stopped working. But her gut told her she was close to the truth.

Anthony thought deeply and debated if he should tell her the truth. The fear of losing her forever if she knew the truth overwhelmed him. Before Sheryl figured out all that had happened in the past, he said persuasively, "It was just a dream. Charlie having the same birthmark is just a coincidence. Don't overthink and overanalyse it, okay?"

Worried about her health, he continued, "What happened after that? You said you passed out. Then what happened? Are you feeling better now?"

A million thoughts flooded Anthony's mind. 'The nightmare is a hint that her memory is coming back. I am afraid she will leave me soon.'

"I am fine. It was just a nightmare. When I woke up, I was okay. I have become used to having bad dreams over the years," Sheryl assured him in a soothing voice.

After discussing the nightmare with Anthony, she felt relieved. As her mood lightened, she attempted to change the topic and asked, "When are you coming back?"

"I am waiting at the airport. I am going to visit my parents. When I get back, I will come to meet you." Filled with hope he said, "Sher, after I come back, I will be with you just as I used to. We will be together forever."

"No, Anthony. I can't bear our boring life anymore. I am tired," Sheryl shook her head and replied firmly.

Sheryl's words scared Anthony. He forced a smile and gathered his courage to ask, "Sher, what do you mean? Are you breaking up with me?" His stiff and trembling voice made Sheryl laugh. She never knew he was so shaky about their relationship.

"Anthony, did I say I am breaking up with you?" Sheryl sighed at his dumb question and retorted, "I have hated my life in the past few years. Every time I woke up, there was no one except Shirley in my life. Our house is too big for only Shirley and me. When I feel exhausted and want your comfort, you are not beside me. When I want to cry, you are not beside me to hold me. I want a strong shoulder to lean on. I hate seeing you go away to your own house after supper. I hate hugging a pillow to sleep."

Anthony was holding his breath. He was listening very carefully to her words. He was curious about what she was going to say. He would be happy to hear anything except her breaking up with him. Sheryl paused and wondered if she should be the one proposing marriage. After all, it was more common for the man to propose to the woman he loved.

"So, Anthony, will you marry me?" Sheryl said in a rush after taking a deep breath. She was not sure of Anthony's answer. But she was hopeful of a positive answer.

She thought, 'Anthony and I have been in love for quite a long time. We know each other quite well. He has not only been a perfect boyfriend to me, but also a good father to Shirley. Charles' appearance caused some arguments and tension between us. Anthony doesn't like my getting close to Charles. I admit Charles is attractive. I was infatuated. But I know for sure that Anthony is the most appropriate man for me. The only way to save our relationship is to get married. I will show him my sincerity and propose to him.'