When She Turns Her Back (Teresa and Charles) novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203

Richard wasn’t paying attention to Charles at all. Instead, he turned towards the silent Teresa and asked, “Teresa, what’s your take on it?”

2

Teresa had been pretty dismissive, but with Richard putting her on the spot, there was no way she could just ignore it.

She hesitated for a second, then said against her true feelings, “Yeah, she is.”

Richard caught her response, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a subtle, satisfied smile.

After a moment, Richard continued, “By the way, I came tonight because there’s something I need to discuss with you both.”

Richard’s voice grew solemn, and Teresa and Charles couldn’t help feeling a sense of unease.

4s

He didn’t waste any time. “My health isn’t what it used to be, and I honestly don’t know how much longer I have. So I’ve decided to stay at Joyacre Villa for now. If I have to go, I want to spend my last days with my family.”

Ever since he returned from the hospital, Richard couldn’t shake off a growing fear inside him.

His wife had been gone for years, and he was the only one left at Logan Manor; the idea of falling again with no loved ones him truly scared him.

Teresa didn’t say anything, just turned to glance at Charles–he met her eyes right away.

As their eyes connected across the room, both of them had their own worries on their minds,

For Teresa, what troubled her

As for Charles, Teresa guessed he

there for

aas

probably more concerned about what Naomi and Ava might have to deal with.

For a long moment, neither Teresa nor Charles said a word.

that if Richard really moved into Joyacre Villa, she’d be stuck coming over every

single day.

Richard, seeing their silence, got a bit upset. “What, am I that unwelcome? You won’t even let me stay here for a few days?”

Teresa quickly managed a smile and explained, “No, it’s not that–we’re just afraid we might not do a good enough job looking after you.”

Richard settled onto the couch, then glanced up at them. “Just hang out with me when you’ve got time. Unless I drop dead, I won’t be bothering you guys.”

Teresa kept quiet, instead shooting Charles a look–clearly signaling for

– Պ to

Charles met Richard’s gaze and said, “If you want to stay, then just stay as To handle it./

Richard instantly puffed up and replied proudly, “Well, of course.”

as you want.”

Just then, the sound of laughter drifted down from upstairs–Naoini and Yolanda were clearly having a blast.

Richard glanced at his watch; it was getting late.

He leaned in and whispered to Teresa, “It’s pretty late. Yolanda should be getting to bed.”

Teresa barely registered what Richard was saying–her mind kept circling back to how Charles had just told him he could stay for an extra–long spell.

Charles had just tossed out that promise like it was nothing, but it meant Teresa would be stuck making the trip every single day.

Just thinking about it made Teresa feel all bottled up inside, like her chest was packed so tight she could hardly breathe.

Charles knew exactly what Teresa was thinking, but to keep Richard from suspecting anything, he quickly called out, “Aunt Ava!”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ava was still mincing meat, with a pile of ingredients beside her yet to be washed.

Hearing Charles’s voice from the living rooin, she called back out of habit, “Coming!”

She hurried into the living room, and Charles immediately said, “Go upstairs and let the tutor know she can head out now.”

1/3

12:16 AM P P

Chapter 203

Tutor? Ava blinked, thinking to herself, ‘Since when did we have a tutor around here?‘

She shot Charles a puzzled look.

Charles picked up on her confusion and explained, “You can let Miss Naomi head out now.”

That finally made sense to Ava, but for some reason, she couldn’t shake an odd wave of annoyance.

Why does this bug me so much?‘ Ava wondered, feeling unexpectedly irritated.

55 vouchers

She couldn’t help but feel like she was just the hired help here, and her daughter Naomi was nothing more than the “tutor” in everyone’s

eyes.

Ava knew she wasn’t really in any position to say a word about it.

So she just nodded, replying, “Got it. I’ll go right now.”

As Ava made her way upstairs, Richard couldn’t help but grumble, “That help seems like she’s not all there. If she can’t even do the basics properly, maybe it’s better to just let her go.”

Before Teresa could say anything, Charles quickly interjected, “Aunt Ava’s breakfasts are the only way I start my day. I’m already too used to them—let’s not change that.”

Richard didn’t insist anymore. After stifling a yawn, he covered his mouth and said, “Alright, I’m turning in. You two should get some sleep too.”

“Goodnight, Grandpa,” Charles said.

Teresa just stood off to the side, keeping quiet.

Richard noticed her unusual silence but just brushed it off.

6

10

After Naomi was called downstairs, she left Joyacre Villa with Ava, both of them looking weary as they stepped out into the night.

Out on the bone–chilling street, Naomi’s face was etched with exhaustion and fatigue.

By day, she was buried in research at school; by night, she was back at Joyacre Villa, looking after Yolanda.

Thinking about how rough her life had gotten lately, Naomi felt tears sting her eyes.

She was supposed to be enjoying her single, youthful years—not stuck doing work meant for someone’s tired old housekeeper.

Meanwhile, Ava had been complaining non–stop all the way out.

Even as they stepped outside, she kept grumbling, “Teresa is seriously nuts—who in their right mind wants Beef Wellington in the middle of the night?”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify