Chapter 49
Charles noticed Teresa’s tone had softened, so he dropped the sharpness in his voice. “Why don’t you come by tomorrow? I want to talk to you about something.”
Teresa replied, “Whatever it is, you can say it over the phone.” She leaned against the headboard, not wanting to see Charles’s face or let
him see hers.
They only saw each other when absolutely necessary. After all, he didn’t care for her, and she had no intention of staying with him either.
Charles suddenly said, “It’s about Yolanda.”
Teresa’s tone stayed cool. “Charles, I’ve already told you. I’m staying out of Yolanda’s life. Unless it’s something major, you don’t need to tell me. Just make the decisions for her yourself.”
Charles had brought up Yolanda because he didn’t believe Teresa could really just stop caring about her daughter, but to his surprise, she honestly didn’t seem to care anymore.
“Teresa, you-” He was at a loss for words, not even sure what to say next.
Just then, Teresa added, “Even if it’s something important, we’ll have to wait until I come back.”
‘Come back?‘ Charles echoed in his mind, a bit thrown off.
Charles immediately picked up on something and quickly asked, “Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”
It was the first time he’d ever offered to pick her up.
Teresa was momentarily stunned, then let out a wry laugh. “Charles, are you really asking me where I am?”
“Yeah,” Charles replied.
Teresa’s laugh grew even more bitter. “You of all people should know where I am. Why are you even asking?”
Her anger was starting to show.
Charles was at a loss. “What do you mean?”
Teresa shouted at him, “Charles, quit acting like you’re innocent. The way things turned out–this is all on you. I don’t want to see you, and unless it’s something important, don’t call me again.”
With that, Teresa cut him off and hung up abruptly.
Back in the study, Charles stared at the dead call, a wave of anger rising in him that he couldn’t quite explain.
The screen went dark, and he slammed his phone onto the desk with a harsh clatter. Just then, the study door opened from the hallway.
It was Naomi. She was about to say something, but Charles interrupted her before she could get a word out. “Get out.”
He’d thought it was just the maid coming in, so he didn’t bother being polite.
Naomi picked up on his mistake and didn’t leave. Instead, she came up behind him and softly asked, “Charles, what’s wrong?”
Charles turned to glance at her before answering, “Nothing.”
He didn’t want to talk, so Naomi didn’t press him. She placed the cup she was holding onto the desk. “Charles, I made you some Earl Grey tea. Give it a try.”
Charles just said quietly. “Thanks”
Naomi said. “111 let you be then”
Charles nodded. “Okay”
Naomi staned walking toward the door, but after just a couple of steps. Charles suddenly turned and called after her, ‘Nanmi
Chapter 49
“Yeah?” Naomi turned back to look at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Charles walked over and smiled at her. “Thanks for all this lately.”
Naomi shook her head. “It’s no trouble at all.”
Charles said, “Just let me know if you want to go anywhere, I’ll take you.”
Naomi smiled. “Let me think about it. I’ll tell you when I’ve made up my mind.”
Charles said, “Okay, make sure you get some rest. Don’t stay up too late.”
Naomi nodded. “Okay.”
Charles stood in the study for a little while longer, but soon, he heard Yolanda’s voice calling out from behind him. “Daddy?”
“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Charles turned to see Yolanda standing in the doorway, wearing a little dress with her hair down.
Yolanda walked in, hugging her “ur pillow. “I thought I heard you yelling at Miss Naomi.”
Charles chuckled and gently cupped her cheek. “No way, you must’v
‘ve heard wrong.”
Yolanda still looked worried. “Did Mommy make you mad?”
Charles’s face grew stem. “Yolanda, don’t overthink it. She can’t really get me mad.”
Yolanda lowered her head, looking really sad. “But Daddy, it’s been so long since I saw Mommy.”
Charles hugged her, feeling a stab of pain for her. “Do you miss her?”
Yolanda shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Charles could tell she was feeling lost and missing her mom, so he gently reassured her, “I’ll try to talk to Mommy soon.”
Yolanda nodded and headed back to her room, glancing back at him every few steps, reluctant to leave.
Naomi was really nice, and so was Daddy, but Yolanda wished her mom would be nice to her too.
The next day, Charles got Teresa’s work address from Liam. After finishing up at work, he drove over to the hospital, planning to wait for Teresa to get off her shift and talk to her in the car.
He waited a long time, even after the shift change, but Teresa never showed up. So, he drove over to the Sullivan Mansion, hoping he’d catch Teresa there.
He waited all the way until 8 PM, but there was still no sign of Teresa. He tried calling her, but no one ever picked up
Charles’s patience finally ran out, so he let himself right into the Sullivan Mansion.
Betty tried to stop him, but seeing he was someone important, she let him pass without a word. When he reached the entrance hall, Monica finally spotted him.
“You. How did you get in here? Get out. We don’t want heartless people like you around,” Monica said coldly.
She didn’t like Charles one but, so she didn’t bother being polite and told him to leave right away.
Theodore heard Monica shouting and came out to see what was happening. The moment he saw Charles, his smile vanished in a flash — he didn’t even bother to fake it and just barked, “Get out,”
Charles’s expression hardened, ignoring their hostility. He didn’t waste any time. “Where’s Teresa? I want to see her,”
Moura was fuqing. “You’ve got some nerve asking about Aunt Teresa? You drove her away, and now you have the gall to show up heret Get out. We don’t want you here‘
The noise donchstairs cough Xunne’s auction, and she came rustung down from the second floor
When she saw Charles, her face was cold as she hurried over and scolded Monica sharply. Monics, that’s not how you talk to others.
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1:07 PM P P.
Chapter 49
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