When She Turns Her Back (Teresa and Charles) novel Chapter 108

Chapter 108

After Charles settled the bill, he turned to Naomi and said, “Naomi, let’s go.”

Teresa heard Charles call out to Naomi, but she didn’t turn around. Instead, she took a sip of water from her glass.

Naomi walked over and linked her arm with Charles’s. “Okay,” she said.

As Charles headed out of the restaurant, his gaze fell on Hector and Cedric sitting not far away. The woman with her back to him–he recognized her immediately. It was Teresa.

When he paused for a moment, Naomi noticed his hesitation. “Charles, what’s wrong?” Naomi asked, turning to draw his attention, not wanting him to think about other women.

Charles looked down at Naomi and said, “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Naomi tightened her grip on his arm, pressing herself even closer to him, as if to make sure he only had eyes for her.

After they left the restaurant, Teresa continued chatting with Cedric and Hector about medical topics.

Through the large windows, Teresa caught a glimpse of the street outside. When she turned her head slightly, she saw Naomi and Charles leaving together.

They walked side by side, perfectly in step, arms entwined, looking like a loving couple.

A bitter feeling crept into Teresa’s heart. She pressed her lips together and looked away.

After the meal, Teresa went to pay the bill, but Hector beat her to it and paid first.

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When they stepped outside, it was drizzling. Hector turned to Cedric and said, “Professor Judd, want me to give you a lift?”

Cedric smiled and waved him off. “It’s fine, I’ll just catch the bus.”

Hector knew Cedric was the kind of guy who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life when he wasn’t working, so he didn’t insist.

Just then, the bus arrived. Cedric picked up his briefcase and got on. Teresa and Hector stood at the roadside, waving. “Goodbye, Professor Judd!” they called.

As the bus pulled away, the rain started coming down harder. Hector went back to the restaurant to grab an umbrella. The two of them huddled together under it as they walked to the curb.

It was raining, and cars sped past, splashing water everywhere. Teresa was on the side closest to the street, and she’d get drenched if a car sent water flying her way,

Hector reacted quickly–holding the umbrella with one hand, he wrapped his arm around Teresa’s waist and pulled her close. The water splashed onto him instead. His coat was instantly soaked.

It had been raining for days in Riverdale, and the streets were wet. Hector kept Teresa safe in his arms, not a single drop landing on her.

Teresa whispered a soft “Thank you,” then apologized, “Sorry.”

Hector noticed she felt bad and grinned at her. “It’s no big deal, really. Don’t worry about it—as long as you’re fine, that’s all that matters.”

Teresa felt a pang in her chest. Not just because Hector was such a gentleman, but also because she’d misjudged people so badly in the past.

Hertor walked Teresa to her car and watched her get into the driver’s seat. He smiled, “Drive safe, and text me when you get home.”

Teresa looked up at lum, her eyes lost in the hazy orange glow of the streetlights and rain. She said, “Hector, let me take your coat and wash it for you I’ll bring it back once it’s clean

Hector just grinned. “No worries, it’s just a coat

Teresa’s heart felt heavy. “You’re always there for me. I want to do something for you too.” She didn’t want to keep owing him favors.

Hector caught on to what she meant and noticed her deliberate distance. His smile froze for a moment, but then he just went along with it “Alright, I’ll do as you say. Teresa”

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11:24 AM P

Chapter 108

He took off his coat and handed it to Teresa.

She put it on the passenger seat and said, “You should get home early too, Hector.”

Hector nodded and then asked, “How about we grab dinner this weekend?”

Teresa thought for a moment and replied, “Sure, if I’m not busy.”

After watching Teresa drive off, Hector got into his own car and left.

At half past nine, Teresa arrived home. Monica was still up, hunched over her drawing in the living room. When she heard footsteps at the door, she looked up and called out happily, “Aunt Teresa!”

Teresa set the bag with Hector’s coat on the sofa and asked, “It’s so late. Why aren’t you in bed yet?”

Monica replied, “I was waiting for you, Aunt Teresa. I wanted to talk to you.”

Teresa sat down next to Monica and admired her drawing of “Spring” “Monica, this is wonderful!” she praised.

Monica grabbed Teresa’s hand and looked up at her with wide eyes. “Aunt Teresa, Yolanda didn’t go to school today.”

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Teresa froze, remembering how she had made breakfast for Yolanda earlier that morning and even thought about driving her to school. Now, she felt like everything she had done was unnecessary.

Yolanda had been out at the bar last night and probably came home very late, which was why she skipped school today.

Teresa gave a wry smile and touched Monica’s cheek. “You have to be good and listen to your mom, okay? Go to school like a good girl.”

Monica nodded, all serious. “I will. I’ll listen to Mom, and I’ll listen to you too, Aunt Teresa.”

Teresa looked at her niece, so well–behaved and adorable, and couldn’t help but think of her own daughter. Teresa remembered Yolanda used to be just as sweet and well–behaved, but things were different now.

At ten o’clock, after tucking Monica into bed, Teresa headed back to her own room.

When she opened her bedroom door, she saw someone standing in the room. Judging by the height and silhouette, she thought it was Theodore, so she called out instinctively, “Theodore?”

She figured if Theodore was in her room this late, he probably had something important to talk about. So, Teresa stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

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