The Substitute Bride

"Mother, go wait for me in the car. I will be with you shortly."

Charles was deeply troubled by Vicky. What he'd just seen showed what a terrible woman she was and that she was capable of so many more terrible things.

"Charles! Please believe me." Melissa grew anxious as she thought that Charles had chosen to believe Vicky.

"It's fine, mother. Just go home. I'll be there soon." Charles didn't want to talk to Melissa before he dealt with Vicky.

Melissa looked upset, thinking that Charles didn't believe her. Charles looked annoyed already.

Meanwhile, Charles just wanted to concentrate on Vicky first.

When Charles didn't say anything, Melissa left in embarrassment.

David followed Melissa from behind in case she did anything.

Vicky smiled when she saw that Charles had asked Melissa to leave. The smile was gone as soon as it came, and she immediately replaced it with a look of concern.

"Charles, please don't fight with Aunt Melissa over me, okay? She's still your mother. I bet she was just worried about you," Vicky said, acting concerned. She pretended to be understanding as she looked Charles in the eye.

"All right. Don't worry about me. I'll talk to her later when she's calmed down. Are you okay?" Charles acted concerned toward Vicky in fear that she'd do something to retaliate if he didn't. He hated this woman from the bottom of his heart.

At that moment, Charles just wanted kick Vicky out so he wouldn't have to see her obnoxious face again. However, he knew better than to do something as rash as that.

"I'm fine!"

"Good. Now, let's get you back to your room so you can rest." Charles helped Vicky up and headed upstairs. He made sure he moved quickly, so Vicky couldn't refuse anymore.

Meanwhile, Vicky liked the feeling of Charlie being in charge, so she obediently followed him.

Vicky walked so slowly that Charles had to constantly wait for her to catch up with his pace. She did this on purpose, of course.

"Charles, I don't think I have the strength to walk anymore." Vicky looked at Charles with a face that hoped he would offer to carry her in his arms instead.

"Then let's walk slowly, so you can catch your breath." Charles could obviously see through Vicky. He knew that she was doing this on purpose, and he wasn't going to give her what she wanted, no matter what.

Vicky was a bit displeased to hear this, but she just let it go because she knew she shouldn't be pushing him too hard. She decided to walk just really slowly, so she could spend more time with Charles.

Thus, the walk back to her room, which would normally only take a couple of minutes, took them over half an hour, which Vicky thorough

lissa only shook her head in frustration, not saying a word.

"Mom, what's wrong this time?" Charles figured she must not have liked being treated like that first by Vicky, then her own son. He'd never meant to do that, though.

"I've never been treated like this before. I feel like someone just slapped me across the face, and I can't even strike back. It doesn't feel good." Melissa started crying, and her eyes were red. She'd have cried earlier if she hadn't been holding it back.

"Mom, I'm sorry for putting you through something like this." Charles hugged Melissa tightly as he really did feel awful.

"So when are you going to get rid of that woman? I don't want to see her again." Melissa thought that the longer Charles let this go on, the worse it was going to be.

"Of course, you won't have to. I'm handling this. Can you just stay at home for the meantime then?" Charles didn't want Melissa talking to Vicky anymore as things could get worse.

"Yes, I know you're going to handle it. I believe you. Don't worry. I'm not going to come looking for that woman again. I've had enough of her. I never want to see her face again." Melissa immediately understood Charles, so she assured him that she wasn't going to cause trouble anymore.

When they had finished speaking, Charles called David so he could drive them home.

During the car ride, Melissa's mind was racing.

Charles could tell something was up with Melissa, so he grabbed her hand and asked, "Mom, are you okay?"

"It's just that I miss my grandson and my granddaughter already. When will I get to see them again?" Melissa began to cry once again as she had not seen her two grandchildren for too long.

Charles's heart skipped a beat when Melissa brought up his two kids. He missed them deeply too.