The Substitute Bride

Leila couldn't wait to be with Charles after Chris left. She had to pick up Charlie from the kindergarten at 3 o'clock that afternoon.

Charlie's big bright eyes looked very similar to Charles' and Leila had grown very fond of the little boy. After picking up Charlie, she went to the market to buy premium cut pork ribs and chicken which were Charlie's favorite food.

"Eat more," Leila urged Charlie as she saw him put down his chopsticks. Little Charlie resembled Charles not only in appearance but also in personality. Like Charles, Charlie spoke little but he was very smart for his age. He had a look of sophistication and had an air of royalty about him. His mind was sharp and mature for a three-year-old, Leila mused tenderly.

"If you like them, mom will make more pork ribs and chicken for you tomorrow," Leila told Charlie with a tender smile. Watching him sitting at the table looking all serious tugged at her heart.

"I'm full," Charlie said, taking a small sip of water. He dabbed his mouth regally with the table napkin and made as if to leave the table.

"Charlie, wait!" Leila looked at Charlie timidly and said,"I want to talk to you,"

Unbelievable as it may seem, but she always felt shy and humble in front of Charlie, a three-year-old boy. He never called her mom and she always felt like his nanny even though she raised him as her son from infancy.

Leila sat up straight, trying to act strictly and remind Charlie that she was his mother. But Charlie's cold disdain as he regarded her made her change her mind immediately. She was intimidated by Charlie and knew in her heart that she would be just his nanny forever.

Preparing some fruits and arranging them on a platter, she set them in front of Charlie. He ate the fruits delicately with his fork like nobility. 'Charlie looks so cute, ' Leila thought staring at Charlie wonderingly.

He looked so cute that she wanted to hug him and kiss him but his distant air made her give up the idea. She knew that Charlie hated being close to anybody. If she tried to hug or kiss him, she was afraid that he would throw the fruits at her face, so she never gave in to thi

past, that day I will make my move, ' Leila promised herself.

These days Charles was just a shadow of the Charles she knew in the past. He still looked handsome and aristocratic but he was leaner and more gaunt. After a few drinks, he was reduced to crying and calling out Autumn's name repeatedly. The sight was heartbreaking for Leila to see.

Reaching out, Leila hugged him tightly, murmuring over his head softly,"Hush darling, don't be sad. I'm here."

Charles was too drunk and was unaware of his surroundings, but Leila's words seemed to pacify him. After a while, Leila drove Charles to his home.

She came across Chris at the house. A servant came to take Charles up to his room at Chris' instructions. Turning to Leila, she said,"You've gotten close to my brother in a short time. You've been scheming long enough."

Leila reacted to the scorn in Chris' voice,"I think you have misunderstood. Charles invited me out for a drink. I didn't refuse him because he looked so sad and depressed. I hope you can help him to quit drinking as it's becoming quite serious. If he doesn't stop soon, it will damage his health."

"I think you'd better take care of him yourself. I think there's no more chance that Autumn will come back to him," Chris said in a resigned tone. "If you're really serious about him, why don't you grab the chance tonight? You know what to do so he wouldn't find any excuse to refuse you anymore."