The Substitute Bride

The following day, Autumn was discharged from the hospital. She convinced Charles to drive her to the Zhao family's house to visit her grandmother. It had been a long time since Emily saw Autumn. She was unaware that her granddaughter had been hospitalized, obviously just so happy to see her.

Emily carefully led her granddaughter to the couch, knowing her pregnant state. She noticed that she looked pale and instantly worried about her health. "Autumn, my dear, now that you're pregnant, you should start taking care of your diet. Always eat nutritious food and get enough rest for the baby," she told her gently, clasping her delicate hands.

"Of course I will, grandma," Autumn reassured her grandmother with a smile. "You too, grandma. Please take care of your health," urged Autumn.

"I…" Emily broke off, looking down hesitantly. After a while, she smiled bitterly and continued," My dear child, you know I'm old, there's nothing on earth I want more than to see your child come to the world… but I'm not sure if I will live to see that day."

"Grandma!" Autumn felt tears pricked at the back of her eyes but managed to look sternly at her grandmother. "Don't talk like that," she reprimanded.

"I'm serious." Emily smiled sadly, patting Autumn's hand gently. "I know that you want me to live forever, but I know my own health. I'm afraid that I don't have much time. Don't worry, I promise to hold on until you give birth to your child," Emily reassured her.

Emily's words saddened her but she didn't let it show. She smiled brightly as Abby joined them on the couch, setting a tray with tea and biscuits by the center table. Since Abby and Autumn were both pregnant they had much to talk about.

Abby had more experience and she happily shared them with Autumn.

Meanwhile, Charles and Andy were talking seriously in the yard. Tension emanated from Charles and he was still on high alert, even knowing that Ferry had already left.

Andy looked at Charles with concern and comforted," I think you are too nervous. We both know Ferry left and he can't lay hands on Autumn anymore. So don't worry."

"But I still… I still can't rest easy," Charles replied flatly, his eyes looked cold and hard. "Until Autumn gives birth to the twins, I don'

as nowhere to be found, she wondered where it could be.

"Maybe you moved it somewhere else, grandpa? Try to remember. It will be found sooner or later," Autumn reassured Gary.

Gary sighed irritably. "Perhaps I'm too old and easily forget things. Also, just two days ago, I bought a string of Buddhist prayer beads, now I can't find it. I must really be getting senile…."

At the mention of prayer beads, Nancy clutched her chest in fear.

She recalled what had happened two days ago. When she went to Brent's room to bring him some night snack, she found him playing with a set of prayer beads which he hurriedly put aside when he saw her.

When she asked him where he got the beads, she remembered him saying that he bought it himself.

She already forgot the incident but Gary's words triggered the memory. She suspected with a heavy heart that Brent had stolen it.

Nancy was familiar with all the items in the house except for the Buddha beads. It was too much coincidental that Gary purchased the Buddha beads a couple of days ago, the same time that she saw it in Brent's room. She started to panic.

'Come to think of it, I saw Brent hurrying from the living room. I asked him what happened and he just ignored me.

If my suspicions are correct and Brent really stole those things, how could I continue working here?' she asked herself in dismay.

"Is everything all right, Nancy?" Autumn asked with a confused expression, after she turned around?and saw?Nancy's unusually pale face.