The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 780

Having the whole family together was something that Charles could not even think of a few hours back. He could only be thankful and grateful for this moment. He looked at Shirley as she held his hands. He put on a gentle smile and said softly to Shirley, "What's up?" He then bent down and patted her head. "You just said that you want to see your mom, didn't you? See, your mom is over there," he said pointing out to Sheryl's direction.

So Shirley gathered her courage and walked over to the bed. A timid voice escaped her mouth as she called, "Mom."

Hearing Shirley's voice, Sheryl could not control her tears. She touched Shirley's cheeks, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She then reached for her and took her in a deep embrace as if she were holding a recovered treasure.

Seeing the happy scene, Isla sneaked out of the room. She felt it would be better to leave Charles and Sheryl alone. She patted on Charles' shoulder meaningfully before she left.

After watching Sheryl's attitude just now, she realized that Charles still had a long way to go. All she could do at the moment was to pray for them so that they could be just like before very soon.

Charles walked beside the bed and kept his hand on Shirley's head. He caressed her soft hair and said, "Sher, I promised to you that I'd bring back Shirley to you absolutely safe and sound. See, I kept my word."

Shirley clung to her mom's chest and wiped the tears from her face. Sheryl felt a kind of solace that she could never express through words. Having Shirley close to her felt like a soothing balm to her anxious mind. She glanced at Charles and said in a soft, yet sincere voice, "Thank you so much."

Charles was taken aback as she expressed her gratitude to him in this way. He frowned as he replied, "Sher, there is no need of a thank you between us."

"No, I should say thanks to you," Sheryl replied with gratitude. She then lifted her head and glanced at Charles. All these days, she had only been anxious about Shirley. Now as Shirley was in front, she became concerned about Charles who stood strong at this hour of despair. She said in a concerned voice, "I know you haven't got a proper sleep in these days. You have spent every minute to search for Shirley. You must be exhausted. Right?"

"I'm fine," Charles shook his head slightly and spoke with a smile. He looked tired but happy. There were dark circles around his eyes but the wide smile on his face made his state of mind to be absolutely clear. He was contended at heart. He was happier than anyone else that both his kids were safe and sound. So all his efforts were worthwhile.

"Oh, where is Charlie?" Sheryl spoke as she looked around to find him. It suddenly occurred to her that she could not see Charlie anywhere around her and that made her anxious once again. Not having Charlie in front of her eyes made her miss a beat of her heart. He had been taken away together with Shirley. Shirley was back. But Charlie was nowhere to be seen. How could it be that he had come back and had not come to meet her? Where was he?

"He is right here. He got injured. And the doctor is treating him now," Charles spoke in a calm voice.

The moment the news of Charlie getting injured reached Sheryl's ears, she almost sprang up from her bed. She asked anxiously grasping Charles' hand, "What's wrong with Charlie? How did he get injured? Is it something serious?"

So many questions shot at one go left Charles with no time to reply to her. But Shirley, who had buried herself in Sheryl's arms, opened her mouth, "Charlie got injured while he was trying to save me."

Sheryl turned towards Shirley with a surprised face as she realized that Shirley had started talking just like before. At one moment she heaved a sigh of relief and at the next moment she again became anxious about Charlie.

This was not the time to be happy for Shirley's recovery. She stroked Shirley's cheeks and asked, "Shirley, could you explain to mom what you mean by that?"

Shirley looked at her mom and started telling the entire thing that had happened after they had been kidnapped. Both Sheryl and Charles looked intensely at her as she spoke. Charlie had already gotten out through the window. But Shirley didn't have enough strength so she was about to fall from the window. Charlie immediately stood under her and supported her with his arms. But because of the impact, both of them fell on the ground and Charlie even broke his arm.

Sheryl kissed her daughter as she felt excited and delighted to see that Shirley could talk freely like before.

This entire kidnapping episode turned out to be a blessing in disguise which eventually helped Shirley to recover from her autism.

"Mom, I want to see Charlie," Shirley looked at Sheryl and said in a meek voice. Sheryl looked at her lovingly and nodded her head. "That's fine. I'll go with you," she said as she put her down and tried to get up from the bed. Sheryl felt much light and the spring in her steps was back. Charles held her in order to support her but she could stand straight without a support.

Both the mother and daughter stared at Charles, wanting him to show them the way. Charles guided them out of Sheryl's ward and took them to see Charlie.

By the time they arrived, the doctor had already tied a bandage on Charlie's arm. Shirley rushed to Charlie and touched his arm softly. Then she asked in a heartbroken voice, "Charlie, are you feeling the pain now?"

"No, I'm fine," Charlie replied with a warm smile. Charles looked at his son proudly. Both his kids were so incredibly sensitive and caring towards each other. Charlie lifted his head and saw Sheryl standing at the door. He looked into her eyes with a smile and said nothing. Sheryl stood at the doorway watching him with her eyes swelling with tears.