The Substitute Bride

Chris saw Anthony's behavior and was suddenly feeling confused and uncomfortable. Why was she feeling weird?

She noted how Anthony stared at Autumn affectionately. He was not looking at Autumn as a patient but with loving eyes. She tried to ward off any inappropriate thoughts. Was he staring at Autumn with passion in his eyes? Chris felt her heart thumping. She thought, 'Autumn is my sister-in-law. No matter how attractive or charming she was, she is a married woman. And Anthony knows he cannot fall in love with her!' Chris wondered about the young doctor. He was handsome, a competent physician and came from a rich family. It wouldn't be difficult to find a more suitable partner than Autumn. She looked up with questions in her eyes, but Anthony's face was now impassive. 'Did I misunderstand his actions? He was probably just concerned about her as a patient, and knew he had to look after her babies.' Chris thought.

Once Anthony controlled his emotions, he noticed the skeptical expression on Chris's face. It suddenly hit him that paying too much attention to Autumn was improper and would cause suspicious looks. Quickly, he schooled himself to behave like a doctor to erase any doubts Chris might be having about him. The last thing he wanted was to get Autumn in trouble when she was already suffering.

He faced Chris and gave instructions. "Once the saline drips are all used up, please look for me." He checked Autumn, still unconscious, one last time before taking his leave. Anthony knew if he stayed longer, he would keep staring at Autumn.

Chris nodded and was quite relieved that the doctor was on his way out. But just as he was leaving the ward, Charles came rushing in. Anthony just nodded in greeting and left. He was in no mood to speak to Autumn's husband, although it was the proper thing to do. In Anthony's opinion, Charles was an irresponsible husband. Besides, he knew Autumn needed rest, so what he thought didn't matter. It was Charles who should be taking care of his wife. He was family. Anthony was just her doctor and an outsider.

His face full of worry, Charles asked loudly," Chris, what happened to Autumn?" Charles felt a momentary panic when he entered and saw his wife lying asleep, her face ashen. He rushed to her side and took Autumn's hand in his, stroking it gently.

"What took you so long to get here?" Chris demanded. Tears suddenly welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Suddenly all the emotions that had been building inside her since she drove Autumn to the hospital burst forth. If something terrible had happened to Autumn, she would never have forgiven herself.

"How is she?" Charles asked, his tone so distraught. He was stroking Autumn's hair gently when he noticed the glass infusion bottle hanging on the IV drip stand. Charles's brows furrowed. He was aware that giving her any infusion could affect her pregnancy. "Why is Autumn being given an infusion?" he inquired sharply. Charles was thinking, 'Did Chris forget to tell the doctor that Autumn had a delicate pregnancy? The medication could harm the babies!'

Chris snorted a little. "Calm down. I like the babies in Autumn's womb as much as you do. Doctor Xiao ran tests and found she has acute gastroenteritis. That medicine is safe for pregnant women," she added.

Charles bowed his head in relief. He now regretted his decision to return to work instead of taking care of his wife. 'If Autumn was not brought to the hospital on time, she might have lost our babies, ' he thought. Charles now knew going back to work so soon wa

oth distressed over what happened to their granddaughter. Amy, her voice shaking, said," Why do bad things always happen to Autumn? She has had a very rough time. Yet her sufferings seem endless."

As a child, Autumn was abused by her mother. Then she was made to marry Charles in place of Yvonne. Amy felt more pity for her granddaughter after what happened today.

"Grandma, I am okay," Autumn said quietly. She had heard Amy's voice and opened her eyes. She tried sitting up to comfort the older woman. "Look, I am better."

Arthur didn't quite know what to do around his granddaughter. But he said," You must get well quickly. Emily has been nagging us to see you. She said it has been a while since you last came to visit her. I had to tell her you have been busy. We had a hard time persuading her to just wait for you to come visit her."

He touched Autumn's hand, and rubbed it affectionately. "Once you regain your strength and feel better, make time to see Emily. She doesn't have a lot of time anymore," he said sadly.

Autumn frowned as she looked at Arthur. "You didn't tell her I'm in the hospital, did you?" She worried about Grandmother Emily's failing health. If Emily became upset about her, Autumn would feel more guilty about her situation. The thought of Emily being gone forever was just too painful.

"We would never do that," Amy said. "We didn't even tell her when you were drugged. If she found out about it, her illness would only get worse. So we've spared her those details," she assured Autumn.

"That's good. Thank you," Autumn said in relief. "I promise to visit her once I get out of the hospital," she told Amy.

Autumn looked around the ward and noticed Charles was not there. She wondered where her husband had gone. But she did not want to think about it.

"Where did Charles go?" she asked her grandparents. Amy patted her granddaughter's arm.

"He just went out to get food. He left after we arrived," Arthur answered. He was grateful for his grandson-in-law's thoughtfulness.

Anthony dropped by again to check on Autumn. He interrupted his conversation with Arthur and Amy to examine his patient carefully. Satisfied that she was recovering, he told them she was getting better. Before he left, Arthur was profuse with his thanks. "Doctor Xiao, thank you for taking good care of Autumn. We appreciate it very much."