When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Troy leaned against the floor–to–ceiling window, his coat hanging loosely off his shoulders. His shirt was rumpled, showing off the lines of his muscles.

His long legs stretched straight out, pressed against the floor.

When Troy looked at Teresa, his eyes were full of accusations. He demanded, “Why did you lie to me?”

Teresa frowned, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Troy, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Troy was pretty drunk, not even sure if he was sober.

When he heard Teresa, he slapped himself hard. “I’m pathetic. There are so many women out there, but I just can’t get you out of my head.”

As he spoke, actual tears slipped down his face.

Seeing him like this, Teresa’s heart twisted.

She reached out and grabbed his arm. “Troy, you’re drunk.”

When Troy saw her reach out, his eyes darkened. He caught her hand and drew her close, wrapping her in his embrace.

He hugged her fiercely.

Teresa’s neck was pressed against Troy’s shoulder, his arms locked around her with a strength that left her breathless.

Troy rested his chin in the hollow of her shoulder, his voice hoarse. “Teresa, I’m not drunk.”

Teresa tried to push him away, but Troy, thinking she was trying to break free, only tightened his hold.

Troy’s grip was so tight it felt like he could break her in half.

He spoke again, frustration thick in his voice. “Teresa, you said you’d spend the night with me. You promised, but you never did. And now you’re with Charles again. Sometimes I just want to shake you, but I can’t even do that.”

His voice broke. “Teresa, do you even know? I can’t bring myself to hurt you, and I can’t stand seeing you get hurt. I’m good for you, aren’t I? Why won’t you choose me?”

She suddenly found herself in tears because of what he said.

He was always so proud, but now, drunk and clinging to her, he was saying things so humble it broke her heart,

He stood above everyone else. He was rich, handsome, and he could have any woman he wanted. Yet here he was, pouring his heart out to her.

Teresa stayed quiet, not sure if Troy meant any of it or if it was just drunken nonsense.

There was nothing special between them, and she couldn’t believe she was charming enough to get under his skin so easily.

She had no idea what to say, but she didn’t push him away. Instead, she gently patted his back to comfort him and said softly, “Troy, you’re drunk. Let me help you to bed.”

help

Troy nodded. “Mm.”

His voice was hoarse and raspy, like he’d smoked a thousand cigarettes.

Teresa gently tested him. “Should I help you?”

Troy obediently let her go. “Mm.”

Teresa stood up and helped Troy up from the floor.

He was so tall, and with how drunk he was, he was practically sagging against her, most of his weight pressing down on her.

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10:34 AM

Chapter 151

After she managed to get him onto the bed, Teresa sat at the edge and said softly, “Get some rest.”

As she reached out to pull the blanket over him, Troy suddenly grabbed her hand.

He stared at her, his eyes like a scorned lover. “Teresa, you really have no heart.”

Teresa looked down at him, her brow tightly furrowed. “Troy, stop talking nonsense.”

Troy let go of her, turning his head to the side, silent. He was drunk, but not totally out of his mind.

He buried his face in the blankets, her scent filling his nose.

It was intoxicating, impossible to resist.

This bed was so soft that Troy never wanted to leave.

He clung to the blanket, a strange ache twisting in his chest.

He was a grown man, almost 6’3“, and here he was, actually shedding tears in front of a woman.

He felt totally humiliated, but he just couldn’t stop himself.

Teresa caught a whiff of the booze on him and said, “Let me grab a towel and help you clean up a bit.”

Troy muttered under his breath, “Fine, fine.”

Teresa came back with a hot, damp towel and handed it to him.

Troy took it and gave his face a careless swipe.

When he was done, Troy passed the towel back to Teresa without even looking. “Done.”

Teresa knew he hadn’t really cleaned up, but she just let him be.

She put the towel and basin away, and when she came back, Troy had switched off the overhead lights, leaving just the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

There was no way Teresa could get rid of Troy, not with him this drunk.

So she figured she’d just grab a pillow from the bed and crash on the couch.

But just as she reached the bed, Troy caught her off guard and pulled her onto it.

His body was burning hot, and Teresa was so stunned she couldn’t even move.

Troy wrapped his arms around her from behind. He didn’t do anything else, just pressed his face against the side of her neck.

But when he spoke, his voice was full of pleading. “Let me hold you, just for a moment. Just for a moment, please.”

When Troy felt her trying to pull away, he just hugged her tighter, his voice choked with tears as he pleaded from behind, “Teresa, let me be your lover. If you love him, fine, but… don’t leave me with nothing.”

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10:34 AM P P

At that, Troy gripped Teresa’s shoulders, turning her to face him, his eyes icy and intense. “You’re Teresa Sullivan. I’m Troy Hamilton. The man you love most is Charles Logan. Your daughter is Yolanda Logan. You’re 5’6“. You like light blue and white. You studied medicine. Your bestie is Wendy Stone, and…”

He faltered, voice thick with emotion as he dropped his gaze. “So tell me, do I sound drunk to you?”

Teresa was thrown off by his words, her nose stinging with the urge to cry. When she finally spoke, her tone was weary and resigned. “Troy, why do you have to put yourself through this?”

Troy pressed his face against her collarbone, not trying anything, just leaning into her, breathing in her scent like it was the only thing keeping him together.

He muttered, “I don’t care. Maybe I’ll never be as important as Charles, but I have to outrank Hector at least.”

Teresa frowned and gave his shoulder a gentle shove, but when Troy wouldn’t move, she held back. She didn’t want Theodore overhearing if things got noisy.

So she gave in and let Troy hold her.

His breath was like fire against her neck, but she let it happen.

Her eyes stared blankly into the darkness as she gently patted his back, soothing him just like she would soothe Yolanda. Teresa whispered, “Just get some sleep, alright?”

Troy mumbled sleepily, “Mm.”

He must’ve been really wasted, because the moment he shut his eyes, he was out cold.

Teresa lay stiff as a board, not daring to move, and only when her whole body went numb did she finally fall asleep, completely worn

out.

Drifting in and out of sleep, Teresa suddenly felt someone’s eyes on her.

She was a light sleeper, and the sensation unsettled her enough to make her open her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Troy’s face.

He was sitting cross–legged on the bed, just staring at her, totally unblinking.

He wasn’t smiling at all, and Teresa had no idea what was going through his head.

Seeing him like this, Teresa realized all that stuff he’d said before was just drunk talk.

She didn’t pay it any mind, just gave him a faint smile and asked, “Sober now?”

Troy didn’t answer. He got up from the bed, grabbed his coat, and walked over to the window.

The light was dim, and his shadow stretched out long on the floor.

Teresa smiled softly and said to him, “Troy, don’t come back here anymore.”