When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157

The next day, in the evening. As Teresa clocked out, she saw Charles waiting for her again. This time, instead of sitting in the car, he was out in the open parking lot, leaning against the hood with a cigarette in hand.

Teresa spotted him from afar and walked over, about to get in the car.

But Charles blocked the back door and said, “Take the front seat.”

Teresa turned to look at him, his face almost swallowed by the haze of smoke. Even with the heavy cigarette smell, she could still catch a hint of another woman’s perfume lingering on him.

She was sure it was Naomi’s perfume.

Teresa took a step back, waved the smoke away, and said coldly to Charles, “Stay away from me. You smell awful.”

Charles frowned at her words, sniffed his collar, and said, confused, “Doesn’t it smell good? How come it’s awful now?”

Teresa didn’t feel like saying anything else.

To him, Naomi’s scent is always sweet. Why should I waste my breath arguing with him?‘ she wondered, feeling even more annoyed.

In the end, Teresa refused to budge and climbed into the back seat.

Charles couldn’t do anything about it. With Richard waiting for them, he just pulled out of the parking lot and headed off.

Along the way, he kept the windows rolled down, letting the cold wind rush in.

Teresa sat quietly, and when she looked over, she spotted two lipsticks and a compact tucked into the center console between the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.

Both brands were expensive–the kind only someone as loaded as Charles could afford.

It was obvious that they belonged to Naomi.

Teresa stared at them for a moment before looking away.

All four windows were rolled down for the whole drive. Riverdale was already in early winter, and at night, the wind wasn’t just cold–it felt like it was slicing right through her skin.

Teresa’s hair was whipped across her face, covering it completely.

She knew Charles was doing this on purpose, trying to make her beg or soften up.

But she didn’t show any sign of resistance.

It wasn’t until the car finally stopped that Teresa slowly started fixing her hair and clothes.

Charles glanced at her in the rearview mirror and asked, “So, is it any better now? Does it smell good to you?”

Teresa had already fixed herself up. She pushed the door open and stepped out, then stood by the car, waiting for Charles to get out.

Once he was out, she looked at him and said, “Charles, you reek of that scent. No matter how much you air out or wash your shirt, it’s stuck for good.”

With that, Teresa turned and walked into the hospital.

Charles found her words funny and arched his eyebrow, then caught up to her in just a few quick strides.

When he reached her, he smoothly took Teresa’s hand. She tried to yank it back, but his grip was firm. She stopped in her tracks, shot han an annoyed look, and said, “Charles, what are you trying to pull now?”

Charles flashed a smile, leaned in, and whispered, “Grandpa’s in the hospital, and people are dropping by all the time. His spies are everywhere. If we don’t act close, he’ll catch on and get pissed again.

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Chapter 157

Hearing that, Teresa finally stopped struggling, her shoulders slumping a little.

‘Whatever, I’ll just grit my teeth and get through this. Once it’s over, I can finally relax, Teresa thought to herself.

When they got into the elevator, Teresa shook off Charles’s hand. “We don’t have to pretend in here,” she said with a poker face.

Charles straightened up and glanced at her. “It’s our turn to stay with Grandpa tonight.”

Teresa blinked in surprise. “You never mentioned that.”

Charles shrugged, “It just hit me. But don’t worry, Liam will drop off our stuff.”

Before Teresa could say anything, the elevator doors slid open–and there was Richard, standing right outside in his hospital gown, leaning on an ornate cane.

When he spotted Teresa and Charles, the stern look on his face instantly melted into a smile.

“Hey, Charles, Teresa,” Richard called out, and one could hear the happiness in his voice.

As Charles stepped out of the elevator, he reached back and grabbed Teresa’s hand again.

Charles walked her out of the elevator, and when Richard saw them, his smile grew even warmer.

The room was empty of visitors now, but it was still packed with gift baskets and flowers.

Richard sat down by the bed and gestured for Teresa and Charles to take a seat on the couch.

Once they were all settled, Richard looked around with a puzzled expression and asked, “Where’s Yolanda? Why didn’t you bring her with you?”

Richard knew tonight Teresa and Charles were on duty to stay with him, so he wanted to check on Yolanda.

Charles replied, “Yolanda’s got school tomorrow, so I had her stay at Joyacre Villa. Sharon’s looking after her, Grandpa, so you don’t need

to worry.”

Richard frowned and said, “That’s not right. Sharon’s just the maid–she’s not her mom and dad, is she? Fine, just for today. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Joyacre Villa and check on her myself.”

Teresa just sat there, keeping silent the whole time.

When she heard Richard say that, she couldn’t help but turn to Charles, wanting to see how he’d respond.

As expected, Charles got a bit flustered, and his voice came out rough. “Grandpa, if you really want to see Yolanda, I’ll bring her over tomorrow. You’re still recovering, so you really shouldn’t be leaving the hospital just yet.”

Richard might not have picked up on what Charles really meant, but Teresa definitely did.

Charles was worried about Richard’s health, sure, but what really had him on edge was the fear of his little secret getting exposed.

Charles kept his composure and replied, “How about we wait until you’re discharged?”

Richard’s expression tightened even more. “So, am I annoying you now?”

Charles explained, “No. I’m just worried about you.”

Richard didn’t care to hear any more from Charles. He turned to Teresa and asked in a gentle voice, “What about you, Teresa? Do you not want me to visit either?”

Teresa showed no sign of panic when Richard suddenly addressed her. She just looked at him with steady eyes.

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Chapter 157

Just as she was about to answer, she felt a tug on her sleeve.

She knew it was Charles, hoping she’d take his side.

Teresa paused to think, then replied calmly, “Grandpa, your health is what matters most. If you ever want to visit Joyacre Villa, just say the word and we’ll make it happen.”

Her answer got Charles out of trouble for now, but it might cause problems down the line.

After Teresa said that, Richard couldn’t really insist on going.

He reluctantly agreed, “Alright, since Teresa said so, I’ll just pay a quiet visit next time. But Charles, if you ever treat Teresa wrong, don’t forget–I’ll bring out the family rules.”

Charles just managed a smile and said, “Don’t worry, Grandpa. Come by whenever you want. I promise, I’ll treat Teresa right with all my heart.”

Only Teresa could see how hard it was for Charles to make that promise.

Richard didn’t push it any further. He stood up, leaned on his cane, and said, “Alright, let’s go for a walk.”

Teresa shot Charles a look, and he gave her a hard glare right back.

It was obvious that Charles was pissed, thinking Teresa had said the wrong thing.

But Teresa knew exactly what she was doing–she’d said it all for Richard’s benefit.

If Richard saw for himself how Charles really was, he’d quit playing matchmaker once he learned they were already divorced.

In the end, Teresa and Charles each took one of Richard’s arms, supporting him between them as they left the room.

As soon as they stepped into the hospital’s back garden, they ran into Hector, dressed casually.

When he saw Teresa, he froze for a second.

But when he spoke, his voice was full of warmth. “Teresa?”

That gentle “Teresa” made Richard’s brow furrow, and his gaze grew noticeably less friendly.