The Substitute Bride

The nurse was new to the job and was utterly oblivious to who Charles was. She spoke in a professional tone–like he was just another visitor.

Charles was grateful to the nurse for her interruption. If it weren't for her, he'd be stuck in this ward for God knows how long.

"I'll be off now. Please, don't get annoyed." Charles made a quick exit from Vicky's ward with a blank face.

The nurse decided to check on Vicky and walked towards the door, but Vicky was losing her mind. She was agitated and acting crazy.

Everything happened so quickly that the nurse didn't have the time to comprehend what was happening. Vicky was already out of bed before she could do anything.

The nurse reached out to Vicky in an instant and settled her back into the bed. She immediately called the doctor–who arrived in no time. He injected a sedative into Vicky's vein that immediately calmed her down.

"Doctor, what's wrong with this patient?" The nurse looked quizzical. "Why is she behaving this way?" the nurse asked as she wiped her forehead that was beaded with sweat. She was sweating profusely like she'd finished a 100-mile sprint.

"It doesn't matter. You don't have to know the details. Just remember to keep an eye on this patient. She might get violent again." The doctor was helpless. He didn't know what would make Vicky better or what would stop her from doing all this.

He knew that Vicky was back to normal physically, but emotionally–well, there wasn't much he could do to stop her mental trauma.

"Okay, I get it."

The nursed peered at the sleeping Vicky, baffled at what she had just witnessed. "Is she cuckoo?"

The moment the doctor and the nurse both went out of the ward, Charles approached them.

"Thank you so much doctor!" he said gratefully. Charles was aware of the trouble the doctors and caretakers had to endure to take care of Vicky. He was grateful for all their efforts to repair her health.

"You're welcome." The doctor smiled. "It's our job after all, Mr. Lu. See you." The doctor knew how much Charles was hurting inside.

"See you," replied Charles.

Charles breathed in the fresh air outside the hospital as he hopped into the car. David was driving the car at a slow speed so that Charles could

ten all over her face.

Melissa usually slept early, and Charles didn't expect her to be waiting for him. Although his body felt like jelly, and he could barely keep his eyes open, he managed to smile at her. "Sort of Mom. It's late, and you should go to get some sleep," he said softly.

"All right!" Melissa nodded. Charles walked upstairs right into his study. She knew that he wasn't going to sleep any time soon.

Melissa let out a huge sigh and walked into the kitchen and decided to make her son a cup of tea.

"Charles, sip on some tea, and you'll feel better."

Melissa put the teacup down. She wanted to say something about Sheryl, but Charles was immersed in the document that he was reading, and she decided against it.

She thought that Charles would be heartbroken if he got to know that someone was after Sheryl.

Moreover, he might even think that Sheryl had forgotten him and moved on.

So, she decided that it was better if she didn't talk about it for the time being.

Charles sipped the hot tea, and it immediately soothed his nerves. He saw that his mom was lost in thoughts, murmuring something inaudible. He wasn't sure what was bothering her.

He wanted to ask what she thinking if she wanted to say anything. His thoughts were whirling in his mind, and he was thinking whether he should let it go or ask her.

"Mom, is everything alright? It's very late, why are you still awake? Is there anything you want to tell me?" Charles finally broke the silence.