ENCHANTED LOVE - Season 8 Episode 41

Leila arched her eyebrows. After a long pause, she said to Charles, “Do you think I wanted to do this? I was left with no choice because of you.”

“Because of me?” Charles asked in puzzlement.

“Charlie is my son. He has been with me since the day he was born. But you took him away from me and forbade me to see him again. Today I just wanted to see him but was forced to do it in secrecy. So is there anything wrong in this?” Leila inquired angrily.

“Stop talking nonsense!” Charles sneered, “I have never forbidden you to see him.”

Charles cast a contemptuous glance at Leila and added, “If you want to meet him, you could have just gone to my house. Why did you follow him secretly? Obviously, your intentions are questionable.”

“You won’t understand.” Leila smiled coldly and said, “You are now with that woman, and Charlie has been completely brainwashed. He refuses to meet me now. What could I do in such circumstances?”

“Don’t lie to me,” Charles sneered. “No matter who Charlie lives with, you should not follow him secretly. If you dare do that again, I will not spare you.”

Charles left immediately after issuing the threat to Leila. He was worried about Sheryl and went back to accompany her. Looking at Charles’ receding figure, Leila felt very jealous of Sheryl. ‘Why is that bitch so lucky? She gets everything I desire. I have followed the boy for several days but to no avail. I should take more drastic action now!

I must let that bitch feel the pain of losing her family and loved ones,’ she swore to herself.

A devious smile played on Leila’s face.

Sheryl and Charlie were with Shirley when Charles came back. Sheryl was unable to cheer Shirley up despite all her efforts. Only when Charlie talked to her, she would sometimes raise her head and smile.

“What should I do?” Sheryl helplessly asked Charles on seeing Shirley’s listless condition. Sheryl couldn’t help herself and burst into tears in Charles’ arms.

“Don’t worry,” Charles consoled her. Then he added, “The doctor said autism is not a serious disease. I will find the best psychologist for Shirley. I promise you she will be cured soon.”

“Really? Do you really mean that?” Sheryl asked Charles tearfully.

“Yes!” he promised confidently. He lovingly glanced at Sheryl and found her more reassured. He felt pleased that she trusted him.

He hesitated and then said, “But Sher, you must tell me what happened to Shirley. What has triggered this in her?” Sheryl didn’t reply immediately. She hesitated for a long time with a painful expression on her face. “Is there a problem?” Charles asked as he saw Sheryl’s expression.

“No, no. It’s just…” she stammered. She didn’t know where to begin and how to find the right words.

“Sher.” Charles hugged her and said, “I hope I can be the person you trust most. No matter what has happened you can tell it to me without hesitation. You know I will always be by your side and support you.”

Sheryl was moved by Charles’ words. She gave a bitter smile and came out of the ward. Then she told him what had happened last night.

“I was so shaken by all this. If Nancy had not struck Anthony, I can’t imagine what would have happened next. When he left, I found Shirley had seen all this. She was scared of the blood flowing down Anthony’s face, so…” Sheryl couldn’t continue and she sobbed brokenly.

‘If I had paid enough attention to Shirley, would she not have witnessed all this?’ she wondered and blamed herself.

“Anthony!” Charles clenched his teeth in rage. Luckily, Sheryl wasn’t hurt last night, otherwise, he would have hunted down Anthony and beaten him to a pulp.

“I’m alright now, Charles,” she said. Sheryl was shocked by Charles’ reaction. She consoled him, “It is over. The most important thing now is to find the right treatment for Shirley.”

“I know.” Charles knew what he should prioritise first. But he wouldn’t spare Anthony for this. He decided to teach him a lesson one day.

“The doctor said Shirley has to stay in hospital for several days. I’m going home now to bring some fresh clothes for her. Please stay here and look after her for some time. She cannot be left alone now,” Sheryl said to Charles.

She was about to leave but Charles held her back. “Let me go and bring her clothes. You just stay here with her.”

“Thank you. But I think it is better that I go.” Sheryl gave a soft smile and added, “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”

She looked at Charles and said, “I will be tough for Shirley’s sake. I won’t be destroyed when Shirley needs me the most.”

“You stay here. You won’t know what to bring back,” she added. “Fine then.”

Charles agreed. Sheryl’s words made sense and Charles gave his car key to her. “Take my car and come back soon,” he said.

“Okay.” Sheryl found Anthony’s car parked down when she arrived home. She assumed that Anthony had taken a cab back home last night and so his car was there.

Nancy questioned her about Shirley’s condition as she packed. Sheryl was very nervous about her daughter too, but she tried to console Nancy, “Nancy, don’t worry. Shirley will be fine.”

She finished packing quickly and went back to the hospital. As she was entering she saw Laura there.

Sheryl didn’t expect to see her in the hospital. As their last meeting had been very unpleasant, Sheryl hesitated. Then she walked up to her. Looking at Laura’s hospital clothes, she asked, “Mrs. Clark, what has happened? How come you are admitted here? You…”

“Because of you!” Laura interrupted her. Laura sneered, “You must be happy to see me ill, right?”

“Mrs. Clark, I…” Sheryl said hesitantly. Sheryl gave a bitter smile and added, “I don’t know why you fell ill. But I am sure it has nothing to do with me. Please excuse me.

I have to attend to some important business.” Sheryl was ready to walk away but Laura gripped her wrist. “What? Do you want to escape? Why are you making excuses?” Laura asked mockingly.