The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 853 Disappointment

"That's enough! Can you just shut your mouth now?" Anthony stood up and glared at Laura with his wrath-filled eyes. Unable to take it anymore, he shouted at Laura angrily, "For once, can you stop gossiping? Why should everything have to be about Sheryl? I inform you one last time, I have nothing to do with her now. Our breakup happened a long time ago. Besides, the issue I have with Sue is not something you need to know. Don't try to intervene. It's our own business, not relevant to you at all. Today, I have set a clear boundary for you. If you ever cross this line, knowingly or unknowingly, I won't be able to forgive you."

"I am your mother, I know very well what is good for you and what is not. Why don't you ever listen to me? Everything I say is for you own good, not mine," explained Laura trying to calm him down. But Anthony was not in a mood to be "educated" by his mother. These words had no impact on him. He liked to live his life with his own values and beliefs. Moreover, he believed himself capable of making right judgments. Therefore, he saw no need for him to sacrifice his own life to please anyone else, not even his own mother. He felt that Laura had tested his patience today so he left the room. The idea of speaking to her more magnified his anger. Meanwhile, Carlson entered the room right after the unpleasant conversation had taken place. On entry, He wondered what was the reason behind this hostile atmosphere. "What happened?" he inquired glancing at Laura.

"No... Nothing." Laura shut her mouth immediately. There was no way she would spill out this incident to Carlson. In order to divert Carlson's attention, she decided to bring up a different topic. "You must be hungry now, aren't you? Do you want something to eat?"

"No, it's okay. I am not hungry. I don't feel like eating now." Carlson had been feeling down recently. He went out every day and stayed there from dawn to dusk without informing anyone what kept him busy. Laura did not ask him about it. She was aware her questioning would annoy him.

Without saying anything, Carlson walked away and started going upstairs. Laura was left alone. He didn't bother giving her any explanation.

On the other side, Anthony was walking when his phone started to ring. After giving it a quick glance, he continued walking. On the outside, he looked nonplussed but anxiety was eating him inside. In a calm manner, he shut the door tightly. Now he was alone and had no reason to stay composed. His compelling eagerness could no longer be hidden so he swiftly picked up the call. "How is it? Did you make any progress? Is there any clue that you found?" he asked, sounding out of breath.

"I found it," the person on the other end replied in an indifferent tone. "I have all the materials ready. I have emailed it to you. Do check your email."

"Alright, thank you so much," replied Anthony drily. "I will pay you the remaining sum after I check the material you have sent."

When the phone call ended, his excitement reached a new level. Quickly, he rushed to his computer in order to check the files he received. Just a brief scan through the document was enough to bring his fury. The more he read, the angrier he got.

"These people are so inhumane!" he murmured to himself. Finally, he found an explanation for the things that he found inexplicable and strange in the past. This was the missing piece that he was looking for and now the story was complete. He thought to himself, 'No wonder Sheryl was so angry with me today. I have always promised that I would compensate for Sue. Yet it was ridiculous to say such a thing without having a slightest idea of how Sue really suffered! What a fool I am!'

With those thoughts in mind, he had a sudden urge to call and apologize to Sue. He took his phone and dialed her number only to find out that her phone was switched off. Having no other choice, he rang Sheryl for help.

Luckily Sheryl's phone was not off. But nobody picked it up. Anthony knew that Sheryl didn't want to talk to him yet he was determined so he called her repeatedly. Deep down he hoped that Sheryl would press the answer button out of annoyance. In the end, Sheryl could not stand having Anthony's calls repeatedly. With rage, she picked it up and stormed at him, "What on earth do you want?"

"Sher, I know you don't want to talk to me, but... right now, I am here to ask for forgiveness." Anthony forced a smile and said, "The reason I called you is because I am eager to know how Sue is at this moment. I can ask no one else but you."

After speaking, Anthony gave Sheryl sufficient time to respond before he continued, "She refused to pick up the phone call. I know that she does not want to talk to me. In this case, I just want you to do me a small favor. Please let her know that I am always here for her. If ever she needs any form of help, I will try my best to support her."

"Okay, I know what you mean. But Anthony, what do you think you can help her with?" mocked Sheryl. This line must have injured Anthony's pride. As a result, he fell into an awkward silence. He couldn't find an appropriate answer to her question.

Sheryl continued, "So, what do you think you can provide her with? Money? Social network? If these are the things that you are talking about then I want you to be aware that these are the things that I can provide her with as well. Even if she needs me to help her with something that is beyond my ability then Charles will certainly help us with it. So is there something you can do which we can't?"

Anthony frowned, but he was not willing to give up, so he continued to persuade Sheryl, "I understand that you will not listen to me right now. But Sheryl, trust me, trust me that I am really giving my heart to her this time. I don't care what it takes, I will do my best. I just want to compensate for her and will do whatever it takes."

"I know," replied Sheryl flatly. "I have never ever doubted your good will to help her out. But Anthony, my point is, she does not need you.

If you can provide her with food, shelter, or anything else, I can do the same. The only thing I am unable to provide is the care and companionship on your behalf." Sheryl sneered in a rather sarcastic way. She continued, "You have always been saying that you are willing to make her life better. But have you ever thought about what she really lacks? Is she looking for these superficial assistance? If you really understand what I mean, you should know what to do. But before that, please don't bother her anymore. Also, stop disturbing me as well. I have my own life to think about."

"Sher, I didn't really have an affection for her, and you know it well." Anthony continued with a frown, "I admit what I did was wrong. I should not have been with her when I still couldn't forget about you and our memories. I know it was an irrevocable mistake. I know it now. I should not have done all these sins. At this moment, what I am trying to do is to make amends to my faults. The scar has been made. But I want to heal it as much as possible. I really wish to make up for my awful past."

"Can you just shut up? I don't want to hear any of it!" screamed Sheryl unable to take his words. She continued with determination, "A mistake is a mistake. You can't sugar coat it and there is no turning back. No matter how hard you try, it will not disappear. So don't bother trying to correct it. I hope you will be tortured by your own guilt. I hope you spend the rest of your life in sorrow. Mostly importantly, I hope you will be unable to forget any of it. This is what I wish for you."

Then she hung up the phone. She felt no regret about being so rude. Moreover, she felt some sort of relief. Before she could return back to her original state, Sue appeared in front of her. She asked Sue clumsily, "Did you... hear everything that I said?"

"Yes, I heard it all." Sue gave her a brief and gentle nod.

"Alright, Sue, now listen to me..." Sheryl held Sue's hand softly and explained, "I promise you, I will make sure that he will never get a chance to intrude in your life. I am going to ensure he will stop annoying you with his phone calls as well. Just throw him away from your mind and concentrate in your life. I truly believe that there is someone good for you. Be patient and you will find him."

"It's okay, I'm not affected by his words," Sue replied with a forced smile. "I am kind of used to it by now. You don't have to worry because I'm really fine."

After all, Sue wasn't compelled by anyone to be in a relationship with Anthony. It was a foolish choice which she made so she took full responsibility of it. Sheryl, on the other hand, wished nothing but the best for her.

In the end, she believed this was the price she needed to pay for being an idiot.

"Sher..." sighed Sue, trying to assure Sheryl. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I know this drama is getting to you. You have important things to worry about. From now on, just don't pick up the phone if he calls you. I don't want you to bear all this for my sake. You don't have to be pestered by this annoying man. I will just move on with life."

"But you know, the thing is..."

"You are right, Sher." Looking at Sheryl attentively, Sue went on, "I have a strong feeling that one day, a man who knows me better, who treats me better and who loves me will come to my life. It is this hope that makes me move on. This small hope is what makes me want to forget about him. I now want to make new friends. The most important thing to me now is to settle the matter with Peggy and Allen. That is number one on my priority list. As for all other things, I have no mood for them right now."

Sheryl took a deep sigh. Listening to Sue's words, she believed she meant what she said. This brought immense happiness in her heart. 'Sue is ready to move on in life without Anthony. She gave him her hear and soul, so it is not going to be easy. But I am glad she is trying, ' thought Sheryl happily.

"Alright, I won't say anything now. But please remember, no matter what happens, you will come to me if there is a difficulty. I will always be there for you." Then Sheryl bid Sue her goodbye. "It's already very late. Go back and have a good rest now."

"Okay," Sue replied and nodded her head.

Meanwhile, Anthony was sitting with worry brimming inside his heart. He was so anxious about Sue that he couldn't stop pacing back and forth. Nothing could distract him from his guilt-filled thoughts. 'I didn't know her family mistreated her so brutally. If I knew this, I definitely would not have been nice to them this morning. Sue must be very hurt now, ' Anthony thought remorsefully.