The Substitute Bride

"I'm… I'm fine," Nancy reassured Autumn with a weak smile. She looked up and saw Charles coming down the stairs, excusing herself hastily on the pretext of preparing breakfast.

Nancy was unable to concentrate on her kitchen chores. The more she recalled, the uneasier she felt. She left the couple eating breakfast and purposefully went straight to Bren'ts room, opening the door without preamble.

Brent was relaxing on the bed after a hearty breakfast when his mother suddenly burst into the room. Brent sat up with a scowl and grumbled," Why didn't you knock the door before barging in, mom?"

"Why do I have to knock? Are you hiding something?" Nancy asked her son. "Why do you look so nervous? Did you do something bad?" she quizzed.

"What are you talking about, mom?" Brent asked, evidently annoyed. Looking at his mom's red face, Brent tried to reason with her in a softer tone," I'm not a child, mom. What if I'm changing my clothes or something?"

"You'd better watch out. If I find out that you stole things in the house, I swear I will beat you to death," Nancy warned with a stern look at her son. Nancy looked around Brent's room with an eagle's eye. Seeing no signs of the missing Jade Ruyi and prayer beads, she stormed out of the room.

Charles seemed reluctant to go to work this morning but since he was already dressed, Autumn urged him to go. She planned to go shopping today so she asked Brent to take her to the mall. Charles had ordered Brent to follow Autumn closely and he promised to follow his instructions to the letter.

Autumn wasn't much of a shopper. But since getting pregnant, she couldn't seem to get enough of shopping for baby items. Brent followed her discreetly everywhere she went, which made her feel uncomfortable.

"Brent, can I talk to you for a minute?" Autumn beckoned Brent to a corner of the big shopping mall. "I'm sure this is terribly boring for you, why don't you go sit in the coffee shop nearby and have some fun? I will call you when I finish here," Autumn suggested with a smile.

"No, I can't!" Brent shook his head vigorously. "Mr. Lu asked me to keep a close eye on you since you haven't been well lately. I don't feel right leaving you alone," Brent refused her offer flatly.

"You…" Autumn gazed up at Brent in disbelief. Her hu

e plans but we're not yet ready, I thought the baby ruined my life and I was resentful for a while. But later, I changed my mind. Now I think to have the baby was the best blessing for me, so I decided to keep it."

Suddenly, an earnest look replaced the smile on Leila's face as she turned to Autumn," I know you hate me, Autumn. I did a lot of terrible things to you and I deserve it. I just realized how cruel I've been to you. For the sake of my baby, can you forgive me?"

Her words melted the rancor she felt in her heart against Leila. "It's all in the past now. I forgive you," Autumn told Leila with a genuine smile.

Pregnancy had changed Autumn a lot. She used to dislike Leila, hate her even. But finding Leila pregnant and with a positive attitude, Autumn couldn't help but forgive her.

"Thank you, Autumn, you're very kind. I really regret the terrible things I did to you. Since I got pregnant, I feel a lot of remorse towards you. I'm really glad I met you today. I feel like a heavy burden was lifted from my shoulders. I'm really thankful that you have forgiven me." Leila looked at Autumn gratefully.

'If she didn't get pregnant, would I have forgiven her so easily?' Autumn asked herself. 'But since she's pregnant, I should let her off for the sake of her child.' Autumn felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, too.

Leila then inquired about Autumn's pregnancy and when her baby was due to be born. Autumn's face turning red, she suddenly felt uncomfortable as Leila stared at her belly.