When She Turns Her Back (Teresa and Charles) novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Teresa looked down at Yolanda, who clearly had complicated emotions in her eyes, but Teresa chose to overlook them. “Yes, you’re not feeling well, so I’m here to stay with you,” she said softly.

Yolanda’s face scrunched up. “Mom, did Dad tell you I wasn’t feeling good?”

Teresa pulled out Yolanda’s pajamas from the closet before answering. “Yes.”

When Yolanda heard that it was her dad who had told Teresa about her illness, she didn’t say anything else.

After thinking for a moment, Yolanda suddenly acted like she just remembered something and said to Teresa, “Mom, wait for me. I’ll go downstairs for a glass of milk and be right back.”

Yolanda did have the habit of drinking milk before bed, but usually, Teresa would bring it to her.

Even when Teresa wasn’t around, Sharon would bring it to Yolanda’s room, so there was really no need for her to go downstairs herself. Teresa could guess what Yolanda was really up to.

After Yolanda left, Teresa sat on the sofa for a while, holding Yolanda’s pajamas, not really doing anything. She was still wearing her gown, which made it hard to move; so she went back to her closet to find her own pajamas.

After some searching, she finally found an old nightgown from when she had been raising Yolanda. It had once been light yellow but had faded to a creamy white over time.

If this were Naomi, there was no way she’d still have something that old in her closet.

But Teresa was just Teresa. No one ever cared about these little things when it came to her.

After changing out of her gown, Teresa slipped into the nightgown she hadn’t worn in years. She carefully folded the gown and placed it in a bag.

It was the dress Troy had sent her, and she planned to return it to him when she had the chance.

Yolanda hadn’t come back, so Teresa decided to wash up first. She took a quick shower, finishing in less than ten minutes. When she stepped out, Yolanda still wasn’t back.

Feeling uneasy, Teresa left the room to check on her. Just as she was about to head downstairs, she saw Yolanda and Naomi sitting together in the living room.

At that moment, Yolanda was curled up on Naomi’s lap, clinging to her arm and whining playfully, “Naomi, don’t be mad, okay? I didn’t know Mom would suddenly come home tonight. Next time, I’ll stay with you, I promise.”

Naomi pouted, turning her face away and saying nothing.

Yolanda, seeing Naomi ignore her, leaned in and nuzzled her cheek against Naomi’s, her voice pleading, “Naomi, don’t ignere me, please? Give me a smile. Look at me,” Yolanda said, pulling silly faces, doing everything she could to make Naomi laugh.

Teresa watched from upstairs, her heart heavy and bitter.

When Yolanda was just learning to talk, Teresa had spent day and night with her, making sure she always responded to her daughter’s words, never wanting her to feel neglected. Now, all that care seemed like a cruel joke.

For Naomi’s smile, Yolanda would probably do anything. Thinking about this, Teresa couldn’t hold back her tears.

She couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Turning away, she went straight to Charles’s room, feeling thirsty and just wanting a glass of

Water.

After she finished her water and returned to Yolanda’s room, Yolanda happened to be coming out at the same time. When Yolanda saw Teresa, she looked guilty and softly said, ‘Mom?

Teresa looked at her daughter, now looking so grown–up, and thought about how meek she had been in front of Naomi. Her heart ached. But Teresa was powerless–her daughter and her husband both liked Naomi

“Mom, where did you go just now?” Yolanda walked over and slipped her little hand into Teresa’s palan,

Teresa snapped out of her thoughts. She knew Yolanda was testng her, trying to see if Teresa had overbeard their conversation

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Chapter 65

downstairs.

Things aren’t like they used to be,‘ Teresa told herself. If Yolanda doesn’t want me to know, then I’ll just play along and act clueless.”

“I just went to my room to get my pajamas and take a shower,” Teresa replied, keeping a close eye on Yolanda’s reaction. As Yolanda visibly relaxed, Teresa’s heart hurt even more.

Yolanda held Teresa’s hand, and the two of them headed back to the bedroom together. “Mom, I’ve finished my milk. Let’s wash up and go to bed,” Yolanda said.

Teresa quietly let go of her hand and answered softly, “Okay.”

Yolanda watched as Teresa pulled her hand away, staring at her empty palm, feeling a strange emptiness.

Teresa walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Even when the hot water started flowing, she didn’t call for Yolanda. She was too tired, and didn’t want to call out anymore

To her surprise, Yolanda obediently came into the bathroom with her pajamas. Teresa quickly finished bathing Yolanda.

After carrying her daughter back to bed, Teresa said, “Go to sleep.” As soon as she spoke, Teresa seemed to be about to leave.

But Yolanda quickly called out, “Mom, will you sleep with me tonight?” Even though Yolanda was used to having Naomi with her, she would still be really happy if her mom stayed with her tonight.

Teresa refused directly. “No, I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.” The blanket smelled of Naomi, and Teresa couldn’t stand that scent.

TW

It wasn’t just Yolanda–Charles carried that same scent on him too. Her husband and daughter, once hers, now belonged to someone else. If they all liked Naomi so much, Teresa saw no point in caring anymore.

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