When She Turns Her Back (Teresa and Charles) novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Teresa looked down at her daughter running to her, and her heart softened. But with her hands full of grocery bags, she could only coo, “Alright, sweetie. Mommy’s going to make you something to eat.”

Even though Yolanda had hurt her more than once, the bond between mother and daughter was impossible to erase.

Yolanda straightened up and eagerly reached for the bags. “Let me help you, Mommy.”

The bags were a bit heavy, and Teresa didn’t have the heart to let her. “Go on and play. I’ve got it.”

But Yolanda insisted, clinging to a bag of fruit. “My teacher said we should help our parents with chores at home. I don’t want you to be so tired.”

Hearing this, Teresa’s brow furrowed slightly.

If the old Yolanda had said this, she would have been thrilled. She would have stroked her daughter’s cheek and told her how grown–up she was.

But now, Teresa just felt a sense of unreality, as if none of it was actually happening.

After a moment’s hesitation, Yolanda took one bag from her, and Sharon Miller took the rest.

Yolanda didn’t leave while Teresa was in the kitchen kneading dough.

And as Teresa prepared the filling, Yolanda stood beside her, helping out.

It must be something her teacher said, Teresa thought. “They’re teaching the kids to be good to their parents, and it actually sank in. If that was the case, she felt a little gratified.

Maybe when Yolanda grew up, she would understand that Naomi wasn’t as wonderful as she imagined.

With these thoughts, Teresa’s mood improved considerably as she started to shape the small pies.

Yolanda saw the smile on her lips and knew she was in a good mood.

After a moment’s hesitation, she finally worked up the nerve to ask, “Mommy, can I ask you for a favor?”

Teresa’s hands paused. She turned to look at Yolanda, the smile instantly vanishing from her face.

“What is it?” she asked

Yolanda sensed her mother’s displeasure but steeled herself and continued, “Mr Gould’s mom is sick. I heard Daddy say that only Mr. Reed can do the surgery Mr. Gould has been so worried, he hasn’t slept for days. You and Mr. Reed are good friends. If you ask him to help, I know he won’t refuse.”

At her daughter’s words, Teresa froze

She ulted her head back, staring at the ceiling, and a dry laugh escaped her lips as tears welled in her eyes.

In that instant, she understood everything

Why Yolanda had insisted she come to Joyacre Villa, why she had been so helpful.

It had all been a prelude. Her daughter was trying to get her to help Jason Gould.

She’d even forced herself to call Hector Mr. Reed just to plead his case.

Seeing that her mother hadn’t sand anything for a while, Yolanda reached out and tugged on her pinky finger. “Mommy?”

After a long moment, Teresa finally looked down at her daughter. “Yolanda, you said it yourself. Anyone Mr. Gould dislikes can’t be a good person: You don’t have to force yourself to call him Mr. Reed”

It took Yolanda a moment to process this and remember what Teresa had told her that day.

So the person Mr. Gould hated was the very doctor who could save his mother.

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11:19 AM P P.

Chapter 84

For a moment, Yolanda was at a loss for words.

But even so, she pleaded, “Mommy, please, just do it for me.”

Teresa refused. “I can’t help.”

“Mommy?” Yolanda drew out the word in a wheedling tone.

But Teresa’s voice remained cold. “I said, I can’t help.”

Yolanda’s gaze fell. “Okay, then.”

She dejectedly left the kitchen and went to sit on the living room sofa.

Naomi hadn’t come to see her for the past two days, and Yolanda was a little upset. She had thought that if she could help her dad and Miss Naomi solve their problem, they would both have time to spend with her.

She never expected her mom to refuse.

Unconsciously, Yolanda felt that her mother had changed.

She sat on the sofa, a small, forlorn figure, her spirits sinking.

28

From the kitchen, Teresa glanced into the living room. Seeing her daughter’s crestfallen look, she found the situation almost laughable.

Now that she’d refused to help, her daughter had dropped the act and walked away.

A bitter smile touched Teresa’s lips. After shaping the last pie, she went to wash her hands.

If Yolanda didn’t truly want her here, what was the point of staying?

Coming out of the kitchen, Teresa said to Sharon, “The pies are pretty much ready. You can bake them for Yolanda. When they’re done, make sure she has one. I have something to do, so I’m leaving now.”

Seeing Teresa about to leave again, Sharon frowned. “Mrs. Logan, you’re not staying the night again?”

“That’s right,” Teresa replied, untying her apron.

Yolanda heard her but didn’t say a word to stop her.

After gathering her things, Teresa walked toward the main entrance.

Just as she reached the door, she ran right into Charles Logan and Naomi Yates, who were entering side by side.

Teresa spared them a single glance and tried to walk around them. But as she was about to brush past, Charles suddenly grabbed her arm. “I need to talk to you.”

Teresa turned to face him, her voice icy. “If this is about Hector, don’t bother. I’m not him. I can’t make his decisions, and I certainly have no right to”

With that, she pried his fingers off her arm.

But then, Naomi stepped in front of her. ‘Ms. Sullivan, Hector has always seen you as the most important person in his life. He’ll definitely listen to you Jason’s been at the hospital constantly, he’s a complete wreck. Please, for Charles’s sake, won’t you help with this?” Unlike Charles’s forceful demeanor, Naomi had lowered herself, adopting a softer approach.

Teresa didn’t even want to look at her. “Move,” she said flatly.

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