Chris glanced at Sheryl and said, "I have to discuss an important matter with Grandpa. I will just go in and talk to him. Give me a few minutes and I will be back soon."
Chris then went inside looking for Gary. Sam and Sheryl were left standing in the courtyard. "Sheryl, I heard about Shirley's condition. I am happy to see her better now," Sam said politely.
Bad news travelled fast. A bitter expression descended on her face.
Sam noticed her expression and explained, "I did not mean to offend you. I just wanted to tell you that you can ask for my help if needed."
"Thank you, Sam. That is kind of you," Sheryl said in a mild tone.
Sam was amazed. He could tell that Sheryl's attitude was different towards him. He looked at her face and stammered, "You... You have..."
"Yes, my memory has come back." Sheryl delivered this news to him with a smile. "How time flies! Sam, you are also a father now. Many congratulations!"
"Your memory has really come back, right? Oh, that is the best news I have heard in a long time." Sam hugged her immediately in rapture. "Sheryl, I have been praying for this miracle for a long time. Oh God! I am so happy," he said.
Sam embraced her so tightly, like he was afraid that she would go missing once again if he released her. He asked Sheryl nervously, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Do you know I was so worried about you?"
Sheryl said with a laugh, "I know Sam, I know."
Then she patted Sam's back and teased, "Release me now or Chris will be very jealous if she sees this."
Sam's sad look vanished. He released Sheryl immediately and glanced at her laughing loudly. He said, "Haha! You still remember that Chris was always jealous when she saw you with me back then."
"Of course. That is one of my clearest memories," Sheryl teased with a smile.
She felt relaxed in Sam's company and was comforted by the warmth he displayed to her.
Soon, Chris came running out. Gary had told her that Sheryl had recovered her memory. She saw them talking and laughing and she ran and hugged Sheryl immediately.
With tears in her eyes, she dramatically asked Sheryl, "Why didn't you tell me all this? I missed you so much. Oh, I am the happiest person alive today!"
Sheryl looked at Chris with soft eyes and consoled, "Chris, stop crying for heaven's sake. Shirley and Charlie will mock you if they see you crying like this. I knew Gary would tell you and I just wanted to see this reaction of yours. I missed you too."
Chris stopped crying finally. Her mood lifted and she instantly began planning to set right and rebuild the relationship between Sheryl and Charles. "Sheryl, now that your memory has recovered, will you and Shirley move back in with Charles?" she pleaded.
She gripped Sheryl's hand and added, "He is so lonely without you. The past three years have been a torture for my poor brother. You have to come back, so you..."
"Chris!" Sam interrupted Chris when he saw Sheryl's embarrassed expression. "Just let Sheryl make the decision for herself. We should not concern ourselves about it."
"But..." Chris was confused. Sheryl and Charles were a couple. Chris thought it was very natural to expect Sheryl to live with her husband.
"Chris." Sheryl heaved a deep sigh and said to Chris, "Just let me deal with this matter in the way your brother and I see fit. No offence but so much has happened and I cannot become Autumn again. "
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