Isla didn't try to stop Sheryl because she knew that Sheryl needed to vent her sadness. She patted Sheryl's back as the latter cried in her arms. Slowly, she stopped crying.
Walking Sheryl to a chair to help her sit down, Isla asked her urgently, "Tell me what happened. What the hell is going on to make you cry like that? I'm so worried about you! Did someone hurt you?"
Although Sheryl had stopped crying, she was still sniveling. With disorganized thoughts, she told Isla about what happened today.
"What? Did you really go to the Bureau of Civil Affairs with Charles for divorce proceedings today? Why didn't you tell me? Have you really decided to divorce him? And are you really so afraid of that man, Ferry? Why don't you just tell Charles about it and let him help you?" Isla asked, stupefied. She really didn't want to see a devoted couple like Sheryl and Charles get separated. Even though there were many misunderstandings between them, Charles remained Sheryl's dearest lover. Isla didn't want them to regret their divorce in the future.
Sheryl shook her head and sighed. "I have already considered that solution. But I don't think Charles and I can continue to be together, even without Ferry. I just can't turn a blind eye to Leila. She has already taken my place in Dream Garden. Sooner or later, the two of them will get together."
Seeing how distressed Sheryl was, Isla had a sudden urge to go and find Leila to give her an earful.
Isla had no choice but to continue comforting Sheryl. After some time, Sheryl felt much better.
She had stopped crying, but she still felt heartbroken.
Phoebe knocked on the door and brought them some water. Sheryl calmed down after she took a sip of it. She heaved a deep sigh and said, "Don't worry. I didn't cry because of the break up with Charles, but because of his attempt to take my kids away from me."
Even though she sounded like she was telling the truth, Isla knew that she was lying. She knew Sheryl well enough to understand that breaking up with Charles had indeed been a big blow to her heart. Still, Isla didn't want to expose her lie.
Seeing that Isla believed her words, Sheryl felt a little relieved. The last thing she wanted was for someone to know how deeply hurt she was.
"That's good. I'm glad that you're able to recover from it. How about we go shopping? A bit of distraction would help," Isla proposed. She knew that when a woman was sad, nothing was more exciting than going out shopping.
After all, shopping could make people happy. Most found it therapeutic.
Since Sheryl knew that she couldn't work at all under such circumstances, she agreed. Soon, both Isla and Sheryl stepped out of the company.
Their first stop was, of course, the shopping mall. It had numerous fancy and gorgeous clothes.
They shopped around the entire afternoon until they were exhausted and couldn't walk anymore. They bought too many things, to the point that they stuffed every corner of their car.
When night came, Sheryl drove to pick up the kids.
Shirley saw Sheryl and Isla from far away and came skipping toward them to welcome them joyfully.
"Mom! Aunt Isla!" she called out as she ran. She was such an innocent and adorable angel. Anyone who saw her would want to touch her chubby cheeks.
"Shirley, sweetie, did you miss me?" Isla squatted down to pull Shirley in her arms, a full smile beaming on her face.
Sheryl approached Clark and touched his head. "Dear, how was your day?" she asked, smiling.
"Not bad. Much better than yours. Mom, what's wrong with your face? Did you cry today? Did Dad make you cry?" Clark asked, doubts clouding his eyes. He reached out to take Sheryl's hand and promised like a brave gentleman, "Mom, I'm growing up now. I can protect you."
Sheryl felt touched by his warm words. Even though he was still a kid, he was promising to protect her. Suddenly, she felt relieved. She cast aside all her worries, sadness and Charles.
"Thank you, dear," Sheryl replied and kissed Clark on his right cheek.
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