The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 2051

"I really can't accept these! They're too valuable. Please return them." Sheryl continued to reject Duke's gifts; however, it was to no avail. Instead, it only seemed to have encouraged him to further insisting. He kept walking, ignoring her refusals as if he didn't hear them.

"Don't worry about it, Sheryl. It's just a few gifts. Besides, I really do appreciate that you went shopping with me. I insist." Despite her refusals, Duke continued with a smile, waving his hand dismissively.

Sheryl stayed quiet. Though she still wanted to refuse them, she didn't want to continue doing it in public, especially with the swarms of people around them. With that, she quickened her steps, catching up with Duke as her shopping bags swayed with the movement.

"Let me take these." As if Duke had finally noticed her, he stepped in, taking the bags from her grasp before she could even protest.

Sheryl hesitated, taken aback by Duke's action. However, he had already continued walking before she could even process what was happening. She never expected Duke to be such a gentleman.

They continued with their shopping, with Duke suggesting they enter a few more shops. As they walked, Sheryl felt her head start to pound, her body growing heavier at every minute.

"How long will it take?"

A familiar voice made Sheryl stop dead in her tracks. Her body froze as if the wind had molded her into an ice sculpture. Even with her eyes closed, she'd recognize that voice anywhere.

After spending years with that man, how could she not?

In that moment, Sheryl gritted her teeth. 'Of all the damned places he could be...'

Sheryl paled, especially now that he had noticed her.

It was too late now for her to pretend she didn't see them, especially when he was already fast approaching her direction.

He wasn't alone. A tall and slender woman was by his side. Sheryl felt her jaw clench at the sight, feeling the world around them fade.

Sheryl straightened her back, fixing her shirt unconsciously.

As if finally noticing that she had stopped, Duke stepped closer to her. His eyebrows furrowed at the paleness of her cheeks. Then he put his hands on her arms to steady her. However, to outsiders, it looked as if he was protecting her from everyone around them–it was an intimate sight.

However, Sheryl was oblivious to the fact. Her gaze followed the couple, and she felt her chest constrict in pain.

It was her, the woman who had made Charles leave her and her family.

This was the first time Sheryl would meet her in person. However, she had heard or read her name on thousands of articles and magazines.

Vicky Ruan. That was her name, a name that had been engraved in Sheryl's mind when he had left them. She remembered every magazine, every article, and every word, remembering the feeling of wanting to rip the woman's head off for what she did. Sheryl sighed shakily.

At the other side, Charles had finally looked at her. In that moment, he hesitated as he moved a step forward, wondering if he should go talk to her or not.

Noticing his inner turmoil, Vicky roped her arm into Charles'. Once she got his attention, she gave a sickly sweet smile before dragging him towards the other two.

Distracted by surprise, Charles didn't remove his arm from Vicky's, blinking only when they were already nearing them. The atmosphere had gotten so tense that even Duke shuffled on his feet, backing up when he saw the nearing couple.

Sheryl exhaled.

'So, it was true, ' she thought. Sheryl had always thought, or at least, wanted to think, that their affair was made up, invented by publicists to spur rumors. However, one look at their interlocked arms, and she felt reality slapping her in the face. Surprisingly, she didn't feel any pain. Instead, she felt a sinking feeling that rotted inside her chest, rendering her emotionally unattached.

"Let's get out of here, Duke," Sheryl murmured to Duke. She averted her gaze and was ready to walk out of there, but a voice called out to them.

"Hey!" Vicky called for their attention, breaking the silence. Finally nearing, she stepped in front of Sheryl, hovering over her like a player who had won first prize.

Charles followed, standing beside her.

"You must be Sheryl. It's nice to meet you! Who's this handsome man? Your boyfriend?" Vicky asked with a meaningful smile.

Sheryl's jaw dropped open at the question and blinking, she thought. 'What the hell is she saying?'

Charles' stare never left Sheryl from the moment he had seen her. When the question left Vicky's mouth, he mistakenly inferred the uneasiness she had felt to be guilt. They were together. At that fact, he clenched his fists, backing away. 'So she has moved on, ' he thought bitterly, eyeing the guy beside her.

Before Sheryl could gather herself, Charles sneered, cutting in, "It seems that Ms. Xia is occupied." He took a moment to observe the man before moving in. "The guy you're with now isn't the same one that was on the front page. I'm surprised. Aren't you afraid to be caught again? With a new boyfriend?"