Chapter 45
The phone rang at just the right moment, and Teresa was grateful for the interruption.
She wasn’t sure what Hector wanted to say, but she could more or less guess what was on his mind.
They might be fellow disciples, but someone who always took her side for no reason; there was no way he didn’t have other feelings for her.
Some things were just better left unspoken.
She glanced down at the screen; it was a call from the hospital director.
She didn’t pick up, though, because the designated driver had just arrived.
“Hector, get in the car. Text me when you get home,” she said.
Hector glanced at Teresa, clearly wanting to say something, but he hesitated for a second and realized tonight just wasn’t the time. So he swallowed his words.
All these years, Hector had never been able to forget that instant crush he had on Teresa the very first time he saw her.
Hector got into the car and, from the back seat, said to Teresa, “Go home and get some rest.”
Teresa nodded. “Yeah, you, too.”
Hector gave her a gentle smile. “Okay.”
After watching the car drive away, Teresa slowly headed back toward the Sullivan Mansion. Just then, someone gently came over and took her arm to support her.
“Yvonne?” Teresa was stunned, her eyes full of shock and disbelief as she looked at the newcomer.
Yvonne said, “Your brother sent me.”
Teresa’s eyes grew red as she said, “Thank you both.”
“Theodore sent me over because he was also hoping to ask how you feel about Hector,” Yvonne said.
Teresa paused for a moment before answering, “Yvonne, my divorce from Charles isn’t finalized yet, so I’m really not thinking about getting married again right now.
“Besides, I’m a divorced woman. Who would want someone like me? I just want to focus on my work for now. Once I get promoted and the divorce is settled, then maybe I’ll think about other things.”
Teresa had never said she’d never get married again, but for her, remarriage would only be possible if she had the freedom to leave whenever she needed to.
Only then would she even dare to think about getting married again. Marriage couldn’t give her what she needed, but her career could.
Yvonne didn’t try to influence Teresa’s decision. She just gave a gentle smile and said, “You’ve really come a long way.”
Teresa lowered her eyes and replied, “It’s all these years of disappointment that made me see things clearly.”
Yvonne just gave Teresa’s shoulder a gentle pat and didn’t say anything else.
Once she got back to her room, Teresa called her supervisor, Matthew.
Teresa, there’s another assignment for you. You’ll be heading out to the town again tomorrow.” Matthew said.
Teresa was taken aback. “Why?”
Matthew replied. “It’s from higher up. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Fream higher up to wondered Kralicing what was going on. Teresa didn’t argue any further Isn’t Charles the one behind all this?”
Terps had already lanet and the town our last month, so logically, she shouldn’t have been assigned another trip se srce. But here
1:07 PM
0
Chapter 45
she was, less than a month later, getting sent out again.
‘Charles must be the one pulling the strings here, she wondered.
Knowing there was no point in saying anything more, Teresa could only accept it. “Got it.”
After hanging up, Teresa sat on the edge of her bed for a long time, just staring blankly into space.
In the medical world, she was still stuck at the very bottom of the ladder.
Even if she went for a master’s or a PhD, it might open up a few more doors, but Charles could still decide whether she stayed or left with just a word. In this ruthless society, power was king.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Matthew hung up the phone and turned to Jason, who was sitting across from him. “Mr. Gould, I’ve arranged everything just like you asked.”
Jason finally took his feet off the desk. “Good. As long as it’s all set.”
He stood up, straightened his coat, and said, “Well, I’m off then.”
Matthew nodded and bowed as he walked Jason out. Once Jason was gone, Matthew let out a sigh of relief.
Back at the Sullivan Mansion, Teresa sat blankly on the edge of her bed for a long time, until the sudden ring of her phone finally broke the silence and made her stir.
She glanced at the screen; the caller ID showed it was Yolanda. The call genuinely took Teresa by surprise.
It used to be her always calling Yolanda; she never expected her daughter to be the one reaching out first.
Even if she’d said she wouldn’t meddle in Yolanda’s life anymore, she was still her mom–of course, she had to pick up.
When Teresa answered, Yolanda asked, “Mom, what are you doing?”
Teresa replied curtly, “Nothing much. Just getting ready for bed.”
Just then, someone pushed the bedroom door open from the hallway.
Teresa glanced over and saw Monica wobbling in, carefully carrying a basin of water.
“Aunt Teresa, are you on the phone? Am I bothering you?” Monica asked.
Monica’s arms were shaking as she tried to balance the basin, so Teresa quickly got up to take it from her, worried she might spill it. “Monica, weren’t you supposed to be in bed? How come you’re in my room?”
Monica dragged over a small stool, sat down, and looked up at Teresa. “Aunt Teresa, Mr. Reed said your feet were swollen When my feet used to get puffy, Mom would always soak them for me.
“It made them feel so much better and didn’t hurt as much. I thought I could help you soak your feet too, so maybe you won’t hurt anymore.”
Tears welled up in Teresa’s eyes as she said gratefully, “Monica, you’re such a good girl. You even know how to care for me now.”
When she got up to take the basin, Teresa had set her phone down on the bed.
Now, with Monica about to wash her feet, Teresa was so moved she completely forgot she was still on the phone with Yolanda.
Monica bent over, gently picked up Teresa’s foot, and placed it in the basin. “Aunt Teresa, is the water too hot?”
Teresa’s yes filled with tears, her voice choked with emotion. “No, it’s okay?
Monica giggled. “Aunt Teresa, why are you crying?
Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: When She Turns Her Back (Teresa and Charles)