The Substitute Bride

"It's not a bother at all. I'll go prepare a meal while you all chat. It shouldn't take long. I'll cook your favourite sweet and sour ribs!" Amy offered.

Shirley's eyes lit up at the mention of "sweet and sour ribs".

"You little glutton!" Amy teased Shirley affectionately.

"Shirley, shall we go and look for Rick? I'm sure you can't wait to play with him." Arthur smiled at Shirley.

"Yes! Let's go!" Shirley clapped her hands excitedly. It had been a long time since she had played with Rick.

There were now only two people left in the living room — Abby and Sheryl. Seeing the look on Sheryl's face, Abby knew that something was bothering her. She couldn't stop herself from asking, "Sheryl, what's wrong? Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine." With great difficulty, Sheryl forced a smile and tried to change the topic, "So, I heard that Rick has a weak heart, is that true?"

"Yes, that's right." Abby sighed and continued, "I went into premature labor and poor Rick was born with a heart condition. To be honest, Rick was already at high risk then. I hated myself so much at that time. Fortunately, Andy managed to find a matching heart for Rick and he underwent a successful operation overseas. Now, other than his weak constitution, Rick is a normal, healthy boy. So, there's a little less guilt in my heart."

Abby's words hit Sheryl with a wave of guilt. She'd never expected her absence to affect so many people. Even while she had been gone, they had still been thinking of her. It filled her with warm happiness knowing that this family had so much love and care for her.

"Are you okay? Why the sudden question?" Abby could sense that something was not quite right, but just couldn't put her finger on it.

"No, it's no big deal. I was just wondering," Sheryl replied faintly.

"No, there's something you're hiding from me," Abby insisted. And then it hit her. She leaned forward keenly. "Sheryl..."

She looked at Sheryl with widened eyes.

Could it be? H

ords.

The return of Sheryl's memory was a cause of celebration in the Zhao family. Amy tried to get her to stay after dinner but Sheryl politely declined.

"Grandma Amy, it's getting late, and we should really get going. Don't worry, I'll drop by again when I have some spare time," she reassured Amy, while holding her hands comfortingly.

"You promise?" Amy's eyes filled with tears, as she couldn't bear to part ways with Sheryl. "Well, be sure to remember your words and please come by more often."

"Of course." Sheryl smiled and told them, "You all should get back into the house because it's quite a chilly night."

"I'll give you two a ride back," Abby offered.

Initially, Sheryl was reluctant but Abby insisted, saying, "It's too late for you and your daughter to returning home alone. Let me and Andy send you home."

Finally Sheryl agreed. During the ride home, Abby remained silent the whole way. As soon as they got home, she headed straight for the shower. Andy stayed out on the veranda and smoked. After two cigarettes, he called Anthony, only to be left unanswered.

He sensed someone watching him and turned around to see Abby right behind him. "Ahh! Why are you so silent? You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"What's the matter, are you feeling guilty?" Abby asked with a knowing smile.