The Substitute Bride

David couldn't help but feel bad for Clark as he looked at him. He squatted, so he could nod and smile at the little boy.

David sighed in relief when Isla and Clark left. He then returned to Charles's office.

"Are they gone?" Charles glanced at David. He looked tired.

"Yes."

David sighed upon noticing the embarrassed look on Charles's face. "Mr. Lu, I don't think this is right. I think Clark still plans on coming back."

"Why?" Charles looked at David in confusion.

"I don't know this kid well enough, but I saw it in his eyes. He really wants to see you, and he's not going to give up until he does," David replied meaningfully.

"I can just keep hiding. I can't see Clark right now." Charles didn't want to face Clark.

Or rather, he didn't know how to face Clark.

"Okay, Mr. Lu." David knew that Charles probably wasn't in the best mood right now, so he figured it would be better if he just kept quiet.

Sheryl woke up when Isla had brought Clark back home. She immediately noticed that Clark was upset. She couldn't help but feel worried, so she glanced at Isla, partly in questioning.

"Clark's fine. We just went out to eat some ice cream," Isla said, shrugging.

"Mommy, it's getting late. I'm tired. I'm going to bed," Clark said. Then he left and headed to his room.

Sheryl had never seen Clark like this, so she was quite concerned. She turned to Isla.

Just by this glance, Isla already felt guilty. She almost admitted the truth before Sheryl could even ask.

"All right, I'm going now. I'll drop by tomorrow to visit the kids. Good night." Just like that, Isla had left before Sheryl could even respond.

As Sheryl watched Isla leave, she slowly realized something, so she went to the kids' room.

Shirley was already sound asleep, but Clark's eyes were wide open. He was staring at the door when Sheryl came in.

"Clark, why are you still up?" Sheryl said, smiling faintly as she approached him. She was a completely different person from earlier that afternoon.

"Mommy, I miss Daddy." Clark was visibly upse

th some paper work, so she didn't notice them.

Isla went straight to Charles's office only to find it empty.

David didn't know what to do when he saw Isla go straight to Charles's office. He frowned. "Ms. Zhao, what are you doing?"

"Where's Charles?" Isla said, eyeing David carefully in case he was lying.

"Mr. Lu's not here right now."

When they were told this yesterday, Isla only felt upset for Clark. But now, she was already getting angry as she could tell that something was up.

"When will my Daddy come back?" Clark looked at David expectantly.

David scratched his head nervously. He glanced at Clark as he thought of an answer. "Clark, I don't know. Mr. Lu went out for work, and he's probably not coming back anytime soon."

"He's not coming back?" Isla noticed David blinking very fast and assumed that he was hiding something from her.

"Ah, I don't know. I don't know when he's coming back." David glanced at Isla, panicked.

"You don't know? David, do you really think I'm going to buy that?" Isla stared at David in disbelief.

The minute David met Isla's gaze, he immediately looked away and kept averting his gaze the entire time.

"Fine. Since Charles isn't here, we're going, but please tell him that if he continues to hide from us, he won't see his kids anymore," Isla said ruthlessly as she grabbed Clark's hand, storming out.