When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Back in the hospital room, Richard freshened up quickly and then lay down to rest.

There was a spare bed in the room, plenty of space for Teresa and Charles to sleep together.

Just thinking about sharing a bed with Charles made Teresa feel awkward.

But in the end, they still ended up sharing the same bed.

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It wasn’t until Richard’s breathing evened out that Charles shifted, reaching out to wrap his arm around Teresa’s waist and pull her fully into his arms.

Her chilly back met the heat of Charles’s chest.

With the contrast of cold and warmth between them, Charles brushed his lips against Teresa’s ear and whispered, “Do you think Grandpa was wrong?”

Teresa hesitated, then said, “Charles, I just want to sleep.”

Charles pretended not to hear her and went on, “Grandpa treated Grandma really well. He truly loved her.”

Teresa’s eyes snapped open at that. She turned to glare at Charles and whispered, “Love isn’t about keeping someone trapped. Love isn’t about forcing someone to change for you.”

Charles met her gaze directly, his voice still low as he asked quietly, “Then what is love?”

Teresa hesitated, unsure how to answer. After a moment, she said honestly, “It’s like how you feel about Naomi. You…”

Before she could finish, Richard suddenly opened his eyes. He said to Charles, “Charles, it just hit me, it’s Mr. Harris’s birthday party this weekend. You two should go in my place.”

Charles thought for a moment, then asked, “What day exactly?”

Richard replied, “Saturday night.”

Charles nodded. “Alright.”

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Soon, Richard fell asleep again.

Once Richard was sound asleep, Charles looked at Teresa and asked, “What were you trying to say just now?”

Sleepiness came over Teresa, and she didn’t bother to reply. She just stayed quiet.

When Teresa woke up the next morning, Charles was already gone.

Richard was still asleep, and the caregiver had already brought in breakfast.

Since Teresa needed to get to work, she asked the caregiver to stay with Richard and then left the hospital.

That evening, Charles didn’t show up to give Teresa a ride home, and she didn’t plan on visiting Richard at the hospital that night.

Therefore, she went back to the Sullivan Mansion.

When Teresa got home, Monica burst out of the living room and wrapped herself around her like a little monkey.

“Aunt Teresa, I missed you so much! I haven’t seen you in forever–it’s been two whole days!” Monica whined.

Monica nuzzled Teresa’s face, making it clear just how much she’d missed her.

Teresa scooped Monica up and pressed her cheek against Monica’s soft, chubby face. “I missed you too, Monica.”

Monica poked Teresa’s cheek with her finger and said, “Aunt Teresa, my school is having a fall outing next week. Can you come with me?”

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10:35 AM P

Chapter 159

“A fall outing?” Teresa repeated, her voice full of doubt.

She wondered, ‘It’s already early winter–aren’t fall outings supposed to be over by now?‘

Monica just nodded, clueless. “Yeah, my teacher said so.”

Teresa glanced at her work schedule and said, “Monica, it happens to be my shift that day. How about asking your mom and dad to go with you?”

Monica pouted. “Mom said she’ll go, but Dad can’t. So I really want you to come with me too.”

Teresa sighed, a little helpless. “Alright, I’ll try to swap my shift. If I can, then I’ll go with you, okay?”

Monica jumped up, waving her arms happily.

Since it was Saturday, Teresa slept in.

When she finally woke up, it was already after ten.

Right then, her phone buzzed. Charles was calling.

Teresa answered, and Charles said, “I’m coming to pick you up. We need to get you styled this afternoon for the party tonight.”

The stylist picked out a black evening gown for her, and her hair was swept back into a low bun, with a couple of loose strands falling by her ears, making her features look even more petite.

The makeup artist finished off her look with some jewelry and elegant earrings, giving Teresa an extra touch of grace.

Teresa had already finished getting ready and had been waiting for half an hour already.

When Charles walked in, he took one look at Teresa and was totally blown away.

After five years of marriage, he never knew she could look this gorgeous.

She was so slim, and with just a bit of styling, she looked drop–dead gorgeous, like a whole new person.

Even someone like Charles, who’d seen more than his fair share of stunning women, was still floored.

Teresa paid no attention to his gaze and just sat there quietly, waiting for him to take the lead.

Charles got his hair fixed up too, and by the time he was done, it was already six thirty.

When he stood up, Teresa followed suit.

As they walked out together, Teresa caught sight of a faint smudge on Charles’s shirt.

She recognized that it was foundation right away.

Just a hint of color, but she noticed it all the same.

Teresa guessed it probably happened when Naomi and Charles were kissing–just a careless mark left behind.

10:35 AM P P

The car was parked by the curb, and Teresa went to get in the back seat out of habit.

But as soon as she opened the door, she saw the back seat was stuffed with gift bags and boxes of all shapes and sizes.

Seeing her pause, Charles came over and said, “Those are for Mr. Harris. Why don’t you take the front seat?”

Teresa didn’t say a word. She just walked around the car and slipped into the front passenger’s seat.

The drive to the Harris family’s place took less than half an hour.

Once Charles parked the car, he told the servants to start unloading the gifts.

After everything was taken out, he opened the door for Teresa and offered her his hand.

Teresa ignored him. She just got out of the car by herself, gathered up her dress, and strode toward the Harris family’s front door in her high heels.

Charles hesitated a bit before following after her.

As they reached the front gate, Xavier, having been tipped off by the servants, stepped out of the house to greet them.

Spotting Charles, he came over quickly, shook his hand, and handed him a cigar.

Xavier lit the cigar for Charles, beaming as he said, “Charles, you’re a rare guest! It’s not often you drop by my place.”

Charles gave a faint smile. “You’re too kind, Mr. Harris.”

After chatting for a bit, Xavier finally noticed the lady who’d come in with Charles.

He remembered Richard’s instructions that Charles would be bringing his wife along tonight.

Even though he already knew Teresa’s identity, Xavier still asked tentatively, “Charles, is this… Mr. Richard Logan’s granddaughter–in-”

But before Xavier could finish, Charles jumped in, “Mr. Harris, this is Teresa. She’s my…”

He motioned toward Teresa as he spoke.

But when he had to introduce her, cat caught his tongue.

Teresa saw what was happening and realized he didn’t want anyone to know they were married, so she jumped in before he could say anything and said, “I’m his secretary.”

Xavier was visibly taken aback by that.

But since neither Teresa nor Charles wanted to say more, Xavier just let it slide.

Charles obviously didn’t see that answer coming.

But before anyone could get a word in, Troy’s brash voice boomed from the entrance. “Mr. Logan, I’ve heard you’re famous for your generosity and big spending. I wonder if I might be lucky enough to ask you for something tonight?”