The Substitute Bride

Isla offered to drive Autumn back, but her friend declined. Since Brent became her full-time driver, it was convenient for Autumn to go anywhere. More importantly, Brent was becoming more dependable lately, to Autumn's relief.

Autumn did accept Isla's help to carry her things for stowing in the trunk. Once everything was in, Autumn called Brent and was puzzled when he wasn't answering. He picked up on the third call, but his voice quivered as he asked,"Mrs. Lu, are we going home now?"

"Yes, I'm done. Where are you, Brent?" Autumn answered a little impatiently. "I've called you several times, but you didn't answer." She was looking at Isla, her brows furrowed.

Brent was almost mumbling as he apologized to Autumn. He paused and explained,"I'm sorry. But I have diarrhea right now. Please wait for me. I'll be right there!" Brent hung up quickly while Autumn stared at her phone feeling weird.

She couldn't figure out what had happened to Brent. 'Diarrhea? What did he eat?' she thought. Turning to Isla, Autumn said,"I'll wait for Brent here. You can go now."

But Isla dismissed the order. "I'm staying right here with you," she declared. Isla was not about to leave Autumn alone there. It took Brent more than ten minutes before he finally showed up. She waited until Autumn was safely inside the car before going back.

During their drive home, Brent was quiet and ill-at-ease. Autumn chose to be silent. 'He might still be experiencing abdominal pain, ' she thought. Brent was lost in thought while waiting for the traffic light to turn green. Even when the light changed, he did not move. The car behind them started honking.

Autumn called out,"Brent, the light's green!" He still did not react, absorbed in his own thoughts. "Brent!" Autumn raised her voice to call Brent's attention. When he still did not respond, Autumn finally tapped him on the shoulder. He shuddered as he felt Autumn's hand. "Mrs. Lu, what happened?" Brent shook himself awake.

"What's happening to you, Brent? Are you sure you're okay?" she asked with concern. She calmed down before adding,"Didn't you hear the car blowing its horn behind us?"

Brent shook his head again. "I am so sorry, Mrs. Lu," he apologized. He quickly started the car and drove off.

Autumn worried about Brent's strange look all the way home. She said nothing, but Nancy noticed her son's odd behavior as soon as he walked into the house. She called him several times but he never even reacted to her presence. Brent went directly to his quarters without greeting his mother.

Autumn called Nancy's attention. "Brent has been acting abnormally today. Can you please ask him what happened?"

ancy inhaled deeply to let go of the fury. Her voice was shaking when she uttered,"Those people are bastards. Someday, I hope they will be punished." She stood, patted Brent gently and said that she needed to get the ointment for his bruises. Nancy could not stop the tears from falling as she was about to go out.

Brent tried to stop his mother. "Mom, I'm fine. I don't need any ointment." He sat up and faced his mother calmly. "I'm fine, so stop worrying. It will heal," he assured Nancy.

"But you're in pain," Nancy argued. She felt her heart was broken at the sight of Brent's injuries. Nancy could not help but worry about his condition. "The ointment would hasten the healing of your bruises." Nancy paused, and advised,"Brent, always remember to avoid those thugs in the future."

She muttered fiercely,"They will get the punishment they deserve sooner or later." Brent nodded before looking at his mother to plead. "Mom, please don't tell Mr. and Mrs. Lu about this," he asked.

"Why not?" His request surprised her. Nancy had no plans to tell the couple what happened to Brent, but she was taken aback by Brent's appeal. She looked inquiringly at her son, waiting for an explanation.

"Nothing. They have so many things to think about already, so we shouldn't bother them with this. They've been very helpful to us, so we should be more considerate. Mr. Lu is very busy at work, and Mrs. Lu is pregnant now," he told his mother. Nancy was relieved after listening to Brent's explanation. Her son was finally becoming more mature and it made her proud.

"All right, I won't mention this to them," she promised. Looking at Brent, she said,"It's late, and you must be hungry already. Get up and eat. We'll talk more about this later after you finish eating."