The Substitute Bride

As Brent finished his scrumptious breakfast and put his chopsticks down on the table, Nancy hesitantly said,"You have made a sufficient recovery. The doctor said you can leave the hospital tomorrow. So you can head back to our hometown then, okay? I don't have much here as I have spent even the last bit of my saving to save you and nurse you back to health." Nancy then took out ten thousand and handed it to Brent.

"I'll send you some more money later when I do have some but for now this should do. Please find a wonderful wife and have a happy life ahead. But if you continue to gamble like your father, I'll give you the cold shoulder and will fail to acknowledge your existence," she warned him.

Brent took the money and counted it shamelessly in front of her. 'Only ten thousand! Do you think I'm a beggar?' he thought to himself with growing anger but he did not let his expression reflect his feelings.

"I don't want to go back, mom. I want to stay in Y City. It seems good enough for us. Please, help me get a job here," he implored Nancy, as he held her hand almost like a child requesting for candy.

"What? Did I hear you right, you don't want to go back?" For a moment, Nancy could not comprehend what he meant when he said that. "Do you think it's easy to find a job here? Listen, let me make something clear, it is not easy to live in the city. I think it is better if you just go home."

"Mom... " Brent didn't give up. He kept giving Nancy mournful looks to draw out some pity. "I have considered this idea and thought about it carefully for days now. It is simple, if I go back to my old life, surrounding the same people I used to gamble with, they will definitely come back to pester me and will boggle me down no matter how hard I try to go the other way. You know, it's hard to shake off these people. I might as well stay in Y City and start afresh that way I could give our relation also a new beginning. Mom, I promise I'll make money and provide for myself. This way I will not be looked down upon anymore."

Brent then let out a wry smile and went on,"I really want to turn over a new leaf. Please believe in my future and support me. That is all I ask of you."

"But... " Nancy hesitated with a frown because she doubted his motivations.

But in all honesty, she was concerned about Brent joining the company of his old bad friends. And if her fears came true later, she would really have no means to save him yet again.

'But if he stays in Y City, what can he possibly do to sustain himself?' Nancy wondered, trying to figure out a way for Brent to make a living in the modern city.

"Mom, why don't you ask the family you have been working in for a favo

. "He got his driving license several years ago, but he hasn't been driving in the recent past. Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking he could maybe be my driver." Autumn stroked her tummy and explained,"My tummy is getting bigger by the day and it's hard to drive by myself before giving birth, so I actually would require a driver."

"Autumn, you... I don't know... what to say. But... just thank you!" Nancy was unable to express her feels as she was just so happy and excited. She knew that Autumn was saying all of this to help her.

After all the terrible things she had done to her, Autumn was still willing to help her with all her heart.

This made her feel more guilty about what she had done.

"This is a deal then. I'll speak with Charles about it later. I think he'll agree to this arrangement." Autumn patted Nancy on the back of her hand and added,"Even if he objects, I will persuade him and ensure he agrees. So please don't worry."

"Autumn... " Nancy choked, as tears began to well in her eyes. "I will take care of you as my own daughter from now on. I really can't express how grateful I am to you. The way you treat people with care and generosity is an example to all of us to always be our best selves."

"Well, let's not talk about this anymore. I am glad I'm able to help you." Autumn smiled. "Go ahead with your cooking. I'll leave you alone. Charles should be home anytime soon now."

"Yes sure." Nancy watched her back as she left, still greatly touched by her help.

As soon as Autumn walked out of the kitchen, she saw Charles, who also had just walked into the house. He seemed relieved as he saw Andy's people send Ferry away with his own eyes. "How are you feeling today, Autumn? Everything okay?" he asked sweetly as he took her into his loving embrace.