The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 494 Charles In Agony

Charles knew he shouldn't have blamed Andy for Autumn's disappearance, but was unable to control himself. He had been close to losing his mind since his wife went missing.

"Sorry. I forgot to mention that he traveled by sea," Andy told Charles. He understood Charles' behavior because he felt responsible for what happened and decided to cut him some slack. "I'm sorry about what happened," Andy offered.

But Charles was inconsolable. "Sorry? It's useless apologizing," he said harshly. "Can your sorry bring my Autumn back?" he said in despair. Charles stared at Andy with bloodshot eyes. Suddenly, he raised his fist and was about to strike the other man. Chris grabbed her brother with all her strength.

"Calm down, Charles! Now isn't the time for violence. What's important is that we find Ferry and Autumn. Blaming people at this point isn't going to help us." Chris gripped Charles' arm tightly until her brother started to relax.

'She's a pregnant woman. Where could she have gone?' Charles wondered.

"Charles, what happened was all our fault," Abby said. "Once we find Autumn we'll accept whatever punishment you give us." She kept rubbing her rounded belly to soothe her nerves.

The incident had depressed everyone, especially Arthur and Amy, who just recently reunited with their granddaughter. The two seemed to have aged faster because of too much worrying. They never expected Autumn to be involved in something like this.

"Autumn is pregnant with twins. It's too dangerous for her to be out there now." Chris was tearful as she kept thinking about Autumn.

Sam did his best to console Chris. Charles was in agony and had to deal with his fears. He felt worse as he saw people around him suffering.

He suddenly stood up to go out. Chris cried out to stop him. "Where are you going?"

"Get out of my way. I'm going to look for her," Charles snarled. Chris saw her brother looking very serious and restless. He detested not being able to do anything to find his wife.

"No! You can't go," Chris pleaded. She stood to block his path. "You've been up for a long time. You need to sleep. Otherwise, you'll be sick."

Chris was now just as concerned about Charles' health as she was about Autumn.

She knew if her brother continued to worry about his wife without eating or sleeping properly, he would soon collapse.

Charles raised his voice, "I'm saying it again, get out of my way!" He didn't want to listen to any of them. All he could think about was finding Autumn.

"Listen to me, please," Chris begged. She was terribly disappointed with her brother's behavior. Chris said, "When Autumn disappeared, I know it's possible that she could be dead. So, I think it's useless to go rushing off to look for her."

Charles' head snapped back. His sister's words stung. He was furious at Chris for saying the words that he slapped her cheek.

It was the first time he ever laid a hand on his sister. But his emotions were spiraling out of control. He growled, "Listen carefully. I will never believe she is dead until I see her body!" "Ohhh! You are so stubborn!" Chris cried. The sting of his palm hitting her cheek brought tears to her eyes.

Everyone in the family was worried about Autumn's disappearance. But what she told Charles was a real possibility, and Chris couldn't understand why her brother was denying it.

"We all need to calm down, please," Sam gently pushed Chris aside. To Charles, he said, "I have all my men looking for Autumn. If I receive any news about her whereabouts, I will inform you as soon as possible." Sam continued to look Charles in the eye.

"Thank you," Charles finally said. Then he stepped out of the house, his head bowed, and left his whole family astonished.

Abby began to feel pain in her womb, so Andy immediately brought her to the hospital. They wanted Anthony to examine Abby but learned the doctor had taken the week off.

Andy was puzzled why Anthony suddenly went on leave at such a crucial time but had no time to ask for an explanation.

Abby delivered her baby that night while Charles found the warehouse where Ferry had kept Autumn a prisoner before. He saw large pools of blood in one area and it made him realize that his wife must have suffered extremely while in captivity.

He was now beginning to lose hope of ever finding her and remembered Chris' words earlier. The possibility that Autumn might be dead was becoming more real.

He felt more grief than he thought possible and suddenly fainted. The fatigue and worry finally caught up with him. Fortunately, Sam and Chris followed him and were able to bring him home immediately. They laid Charles on the car's back seat, with his head on Chris' shoulder. "I should've stopped him from leaving," she said guiltily.

"Enough Chris! It's not your fault," Sam ordered. He added, "Autumn was everything to your brother. Her disappearance was more painful since she was carrying their babies. You can't stop him from worrying about them."

"I didn't mean to stop him from worrying," Chris defended. "I just didn't want him to do anything to risk his health. If he continues to lose sleep and miss meals, he'll collapse again before we find Autumn." She inhaled before adding, "It's been so long since Autumn disappeared. I don't want to think this, but it is very possible that she could be dead." She stroked Charles' hair gently.

"And if Autumn is truly gone, he would need to live alone in this world. That would kill him!" Chris was terrified of the thought.

"Enough! Stop talking now," Sam urged Chris. He caught a glimpse of Charles from the rearview mirrow.

Sam knew what Charles was feeling. He'd been through a similar situation in the past. Sam remembered the pain and how he never gave up believing that his Little Ye was waiting for him.

Charles was close to losing his mind when he lost Autumn and their unborn babies, the most important people in his life.

The pool of blood in the warehouse had dried up, but it still left them in shock. Sam felt his hands shaking as he held on to the steering wheel tightly.

Autumn slept for three days straight in Anthony's apartment.

When she finally woke up, the first thing she saw was a man holding a tiny infant in his arms. He looked at the child with eyes filled with so much emotion. Instinctively, Autumn called out,"Charles!"

She called out softly, yet Anthony heard her distinctly. He moved towards the bed, holding the baby carefully.

"Thank God, you're awake!" he said in relief. Autumn finally recognized the man as Anthony, not Charles.

She gave a bitter smile. It was impossible for her husband to be there with her.

"I am awake," she replied. Autumn struggled to sit up. When she saw the baby in Anthony's arms, her face lit up. She remembered seeing the infant the first time. It was ugly when she was born but now looked prettier.

"She looks so small," she said in wonder. Anthony handed the baby girl to Autumn carefully.

"She was born premature, and is a twin. That's why she's smaller than most babies," he explained. "But don't worry, I've completely examined her, and she is very healthy." Anthony spoke calmly to keep Autumn from getting anxious.

She stared at her baby and felt sorry for the child. She kept stroking her head to relax the two of them.

The baby remained very quiet. She cried when she was born but barely did since then, even when she wanted to feed on her mother's breast.

But now, she looked comfortable in Autumn's arms and quickly fell asleep.

Anthony got the infant and put her in the crib. He turned back to Autumn and asked, "Now, can you tell me what happened to you?"