The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 781 Knowing The Truth

Abby finished talking and waited for Sheryl's reaction, but Sheryl remained silent for a long time. Abby felt nervous and said anxiously, "Sher, I have discussed this at length with Andy. Whatever compensation you ask for, we will try our best to fulfill the same. Please say something..."

"Aunt Abby," Sheryl finally said. When first hearing Abby's words, Sheryl was really angry. Maybe that was why Andy didn't show happy appearance when he saw her, she thought.

But then she reasoned that he had done this for Rick's safety. She could understand his love for his son and was relieved.

Fortunately, the matter was in the past and had been settled, so Sheryl was not going to dwell on it.

"I am glad that you told me about it," Sheryl said. Then she glanced at Abby and continued, "Fortunately, Shirley is fine now, so let us forget all this. I don't want to pay any more attention to it, and I don't want to investigate it further."

"Really?" Abby looked at Sheryl in surprise and said, "Do you really forgive Andy?"

"Yes, I am," Sheryl said, smiling. "Rick is safe and sound, and I am happy about that."

"Sher... I don't know what to say... This is really very kind of you." Abby was very touched and promised Sheryl, "You have my word that such things will never happen again in future. I promise you."

Abby continued, "Luckily, Charlie has only suffered a minor fracture, otherwise we would really be embarrassed to face you and Charles again."

Abby glanced at Sheryl and asked, " Sher, have you ever thought about how you are going to reveal the truth to Charlie? That kid is sensible. I am sure he will accept it very gracefully."

"Aunt Abby, what are you talking about? I am unable to understand what you are saying." Sheryl was perplexed.

Hearing this Abby realized that Sheryl did not yet know Charlie's true identity. She parked the car on the side of the road and told her that Charlie was her son and Shirley's twin. Abby saw shocked surprise on Sheryl's face at this news.

Although Sheryl had doubted this many times herself, she was surprised and shocked to have it confirmed that Charlie was really her son.

"Oh my God! Is that true? How do you know? Are you sure?" she asked Abby incoherently. When Sheryl saw Abby nodding her head, she was stunned. "How can this be?"

"It's true." Abby smiled gently and continued, "Sher, he's your son."

Sheryl was so confused by this revelation. Dazed, she didn't know how she got to Dream Garden and or how she got off the car. When Sheryl entered there she found Shirley flitting around like a butterfly behind Charlie. When Charlie wanted water, Shirley instantly ran to bring some for him. If Charlie wanted to eat some fruit, Shirley took the initiative to wash the fruit for him. Charlie was bothered by Shirley's actions and her constant shadowing of him.

"Shirley, thank you, but these are things I can do myself," Charlie said.

Shirley did not respond, but continued to do things for him.

When Sheryl came up behind them, Shirley saw her first. She squealed and hugged Sheryl's leg. She said, "Mom, I have been very good. I listened to you and took good care of Charlie."

"You are such a good girl sweetie. I love you," Sheryl spoke to Shirley, but her eyes were on Charlie.

Charlie looked helplessly at Sheryl. "Sher, I am really much better. The doctor said I'll be fine soon."

"Charlie, come here." Sheryl squatted down and called Charlie forward.

Sheryl did not dare cuddle him immediately. She had been separated from him for too long and did not know if he would blame her.

Charlie looked warily at Sheryl. However, he obeyed her and walked forward. He stood in front of her and asked, "Sher, what's wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like this?"

Charlie found Sheryl looking very strangely at him in a way he could not understand. He saw tears in her eyes. So he anxiously said, "Sher, I am really much better. Don't cry..." "I'm not crying Charlie." Sheryl wiped back her tears and they refused to stop. She took Charlie's hand and cried even more when she saw the birthmark on his wrist.

She thought that God had given her such an obvious hint but she was blind to it.

She could not help blaming herself for her stupidity.

Charlie looked at Sheryl in bewilderment and didn't know what he should do.

Fortunately, Charles came in just then. He saw Sheryl sobbing inconsolably. He hurried up to her and asked, "What's the matter? Sher, why are you crying?"

Sheryl could not speak but only cried further. Charles told the children to go out for some time. Then he asked Sheryl with concern, "What's the matter, dear? Tell me." Sheryl gave a wry smile and said, "I am all right. Don't worry. I just think... I am an incompetent mother. My son was in front of me all these days but I failed to recognize him." "Oh... So you know?" Charles asked. Sheryl was stunned when Charles said these words.

"You knew he is my son. Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" Thunderstruck, Sheryl looked at Charles and asked. She said sadly, "I just learned about it but you have known all along?" Charles helped Sheryl sit down on the sofa. He said, "I myself came to know this recently. Soon after that Leila kidnapped both the children. I kept silent fearing you would be more worried if you knew Charlie is your son." Charles hugged Sheryl and said, "Don't cry. See, Charlie has grown into a big boy. He is a wholesome and good child and wise beyond his years. You should be proud of him."

"But I feel so sorry for him." Sheryl sobbed and said, "I am sad that he had such a miserable life with Leila. She neglected him so much and the poor child literally had to take care of himself." "Don't think so much. You take too much pressure on yourself. You will fall sick with all this, Sher." Charles patted Sheryl on the back to comfort her. "We will live together in the future and love him unconditionally. We will make it up to him. He is a very sensible boy and will never blame you."

Sheryl did not speak. It took her a long time to calm down. She looked at Charles and asked, "Do you know how Leila is now?"

Charles face turned vicious at Leila's name. He wanted to deal with her in his own way and not hand her over to the police, Charles had not found time to deal with this matter. He knew he must not ignore it further but handle it soon.

Charles glanced at Sheryl and said, "I will deal with her in a fitting way. Don't worry about it."

Charles wanted Sheryl to stay the night as it was already dark. Sheryl refused. She was not yet sure of the right way to handle her relationship with Charles. Now, she found herself guilty on account of Charlie. She decided to just go home with Shirley until she was clearer about all these matters.

When they reached home, Shirley snuggled in Nancy's arms and spoke to her for a long time. Nancy was very happy that Shirley was now normal. She helped Shirley finish her bath and put her to bed. When she came out of Shirley's room, she found Sheryl still sitting on the sofa in a daze.

"What's the matter? You've been sitting in one place ever since you came back. Shirley has recovered from her autism. That is something to be happy about but you are still looking upset," Nancy asked Sheryl in perplexity.

Sheryl looked at her and said, "Nancy, what should I do? I have no idea what to do."

Sheryl revealed the whole story to Nancy. "I just feel so sorry for him, I..."

Hearing Sheryl's words, Nancy was stunned. She never thought Leila would have done such horrible things to Charlie.

She was ashamed of her earlier dislike for Charlie and her attitude towards him.