When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

After Yolanda left, Teresa showed Monica how to draw maple leaves and grass.

As they were drawing, someone called out from behind, “Miss Sullivan?”

Teresa turned around and saw Zane standing there.

Peyton was with him, dressed down in casual clothes and sneakers instead of his usual suit.

Even though he was past thirty, time seemed to have left him untouched; he looked even more attractive than before.

It was a cloudy day, and the light kept shifting between dim and bright.

Peyton stood on the lawn in pale clothes, right beneath big, fluffy clouds. Beneath those clouds stood a man as good–looking as him.

Teresa looked away from Peyton and smiled at Zane, “Hi, Zane.”

Zane’s mom died giving birth to him, so he grew up without a mom. All these years, he always wished he had a mother.

With Teresa, Zane could feel a bit of that motherly love he’d been missing.

Whether Troy was behind it or not, Zane really liked Teresa.

Zane ran over to Teresa and gave her a hug. “Miss Sullivan, you look really pretty today.”

Teresa had been feeling down, but hearing Zane’s compliment made her smile even wider. “Thanks, Zane.”

Monica heard Zane’s voice, turned to him, and asked, “Are you here to draw the fall, too?”

Zane let go of Teresa and nodded. “Yeah.”

Monica looked up at Peyton and greeted him politely, “Hi, Mr. Peterson.”

Peyton, always looking serious and never one to smile, just nodded. “Hi.”

Teresa nodded at Peyton, too.

Monica grabbed Zane’s hand. “Come draw with me.”

Zane hesitated–not because he was afraid of Monica, but because he just wanted to tell Troy something.

Even though Troy had a sharp tongue, Zane knew deep down he was a truly kind–hearted person.

During those rough years for his dad, it was Troy who helped him hang in there and make it through.

Monica tugged at Zane. “Sit down already. Why are you so stiff? I’m not going to beat you.”

Zane glanced back at Peyton, then finally gave in to Monica. “Alright, alright, I’ll sit. Stop yanking me. I’m going to come apart at the

seams.”

Monica shot him a look. “You’re such a drama king.”

Teresa noticed Peyton still standing and smiled softly, “Mr. Peterson, if you don’t mind, you can join us and sit on the grass.”

Peyton nodded but shook his head. “No, thanks. I need to make a call.”

Peyton understood the meaning behind Zane’s look, Even if Zane didn’t say anything, Peyton would still let Troy know.

Teresa turned her attention back to Monica’s drawing, ignoring Peyton.

Peyton took out his phone and snapped a photo to send to Troy.

In the photo, Teresa, Monica, and Zane were sitting on the grass with their easels in front of them, and the beautiful scenery in the background.

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Chapter 146

As soon as he sent the message, Troy called.

Peyton walked a little farther away before answering. “What’s up?”

Troy got straight to the point. “Are you with her?”

Peyton replied calmly, “Yeah.”

Troy said, “Drop me your location.”

Peyton replied, “Okay.”

Peyton hung up and shot Troy his location.

Troy showed up in no time.

Charles showed up carrying Yolanda just as Troy got there.

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Troy stood next to Peyton and grumbled under his breath, “Man, can’t get away from him no matter where I go.”

Peyton just smiled, watching Zane without saying a word.

Teresa hesitated, wondering if she should say hi to Troy, but then she saw Charles walking over with Yolanda. So, she ended up not greeting Troy at all.

arles noticed Teresa and the group, too. He paused for a moment while holding Yolanda, didn’t say anything, and just sat down a little ways off.

Charles brought over a little table, set his laptop on it, and didn’t join Yolanda to draw; he just buried himself in work, eyes glued to the

screen.

Over here, Troy saw Teresa ignoring him, so he didn’t bother saying hi, either. He walked up to Zane, glanced at his drawing, frowned, and said, “That’s not right.”

Troy said, “Who draws flowers in autumn? You should be drawing maple leaves and pumpkins.”

Zane hung his head, sounding a little down. “But I don’t know how to draw those.”

Teresa heard him and hurried over. “Zane, let me teach you.”

Not that she wanted to cozy up to Troy; she just didn’t want Troy bruising Zane’s ego.

As Teresa came closer, the breeze carried her fresh scent right to Troy, who took it in so hard his ears went hot.

In no time, Teresa had sketched out a pumpkin. Monica and Zane started clapping and showering her with praise,

“Aunt Teresa, you’re amazing,” Monica exclaimed.

“Miss Sullivan, your drawing is so pretty. If Ms. Taylor sees it, she’ll definitely praise you, Zane also praised.

Teresa honestly didn’t think her drawing was all that great, but the way the kids hyped her up made her feel a little embarrassed.

Teresa scratched her ear and smiled, “Is it really that good?”

The two kids chimed in together, “Yes.”

Mixed in with the kids‘ voices, Troy quietly added, “Yes, it’s good.”

But his voice was so soft that it was completely lost under the kids‘ excited shouts.

Yolanda could hear all the laughter and noise coming from the other side. She held her paintbrush, her hand resting on the easel, but she had no idea where to start.

Yolanda said, “I don’t know how to draw autumn.”

Charles was so wrapped up in his work that he didn’t even notice the fun Teresa and the others were having.

When he heard Yolanda say she didn’t know how to draw autumn, he just looked over at Teresa and saw her showing Zane how to draw.

So Charles called out to her, “Hey, Teresa.”

Teresa glanced over, her face indifferent. “What is it?”

Charles said, “Yolanda wants you to teach her how to draw autumn.”

Teresa was caught off guard when she heard that. She glanced at Yolanda, who kept her head down, didn’t look up, and didn’t say anything to disagree with Charles.

After thinking for a moment, Teresa replied, “Got it.”

Troy was sitting to Zane’s right, and Teresa was on the left.

When she agreed, Troy’s gaze stuck to her like glue, refusing to budge.

His eyes were practically shooting daggers at her, as if warning her not to go. But Teresa completely ignored his look and stood up, heading over anyway.

Monica and Zane both noticed what was happening.

Zane called out without thinking, “Miss Sullivan?”

But Monica stopped him. “Don’t butt in. Aunt Teresa knows how to handle herself.”

Zane just nodded and kept drawing.

Teresa came over to Yolanda and sat down with her legs crossed.

Without even glancing at her daughter, she stared at the blank drawing board and asked, “What do you want to draw, Yolanda?”

Yolanda said, “I want to draw a kite.”

Teresa thought for a moment and said, “Ms. Taylor wants you to draw autumn. If you want to draw a kite, you can put a tree underneath it with leaves about to fall off. That’ll give it an autumn vibe.”

Yolanda nodded. “Okay.”

She couldn’t focus, so she turned her head to sneak a look at Teresa. ‘Mom has such beautiful eyes, those long, fluttery lashes, and she always smells so nice, Yolanda thought, a little dazed.

Yolanda parted her lips, wanting so badly to call out Mom, but the word just got stuck in her throat.

It wasn’t until Teresa said, “Alright, that’s it.”

Once the drawing was finished, Teresa stood up, ready to leave, but Yolanda caught sight of blood slowly seeping from her arm.

Yolanda couldn’t hold it in anymore and finally blurted out, “Mom, your hand is bleeding.

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