When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Teresa felt a chill run down her spine at Emilie’s words.

Thankfully, Emilie soon left to attend to other matters, cutting their conversation short.

After much thought, Teresa decided to visit Yolanda at Joyacre Villa.

As she drove, Emilie’s words kept replaying in her mind.

Yolanda used to be such a sweet kid, and she was not the same.

Back when Teresa hadn’t started working yet, Yolanda was only four, polite, lively, and always cheerful. Whenever Teresa took her for walks, other mothers would stop to ask her age and gush over how adorable she was.

But now, things had changed. Yolanda could hardly make friends anymore.

Even Monica no longer seemed to like her.

When Teresa arrived at Joyacre Villa, she didn’t spot Yolanda in the living room. Sharon was busy in the kitchen, and Ava lounged on the couch, eating popcorn while watching TV.

Hearing footsteps, Ava glanced up. The moment she saw Teresa, annoyance flickered across her face.

Teresa ignored her and went straight into the kitchen.

Sharon looked surprised. “Mrs. Logan?”

Teresa asked without delay. “Where’s Yolanda?”

“Miss Yolanda’s upstairs,” Sharon replied.

“Why isn’t she at school today?” Teresa asked.

Sharon thought for a moment before answering, “Mr. Logan called this morning and asked me to take her. But when we were about to leave, Yolanda complained of a stomachache. So, she stayed home.”

Teresa felt a bad feeling flash through her mind as she heard this.

‘Is she struggling at school? Does no one like her? Is that why she doesn’t want to go anymore?‘ Teresa wondered to herself.

The thought filled her with sadness.

Sharon noticed Teresa’s worry and wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn’t come out. Instead, she asked, “Will you be staying for dinner?”

Teresa snapped out of her thoughts and replied, “Yes, please go ahead. I’m going upstairs to check on Yolanda.”

“Okay,” Sharon said.

Teresa carefully made her way upstairs to Yolanda’s bedroom door. Instead of going right in, she stuck her head in and peeked inside.

Yolanda sat at a little table, silently playing with her toys.

table,

She wasn’t smiling; in fact, she didn’t look happy at all.

Teresa’s heart twisted with sympathy when she saw Yolanda like that.

After a pause, she knocked softly.

Yolanda whipped her head around at the sound, and she blurted out, “Miss…”

But she only managed to get out that first syllable before her voice died away, and her smile faded just as quickly.

The disappointment was plain to see on Yolanda’s small face, and Teresa’s heart ached for her.

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Chapter 169

Still, she walked in and sat down beside her daughter, looking at her gently. “Yolanda, can you tell Mom why you didn’t go to school today?”

Yolanda didn’t greet her, didn’t look at her, only froze for a moment before turning back to her toys.

Teresa let out a deep sigh, realizing Yolanda wasn’t going to answer. She called softly again, “Yolanda?”

Yolanda kept fiddling with her toys and still wouldn’t answer Teresa at all.

Teresa’s voice unconsciously got louder, frustration bubbling up. “Yolanda Logan!”

She was really getting mad now, calling her by her full name.

But Yolanda acted as if she hadn’t heard.

Yolanda kept playing with her toys, while Teresa sat nearby, quietly watching. Neither of them spoke, and they both kept to themselves, ignoring each other.

When Sharon came upstairs, she thought she’d walk in on a sweet mother–daughter scene. But the room was so quiet; not a word was exchanged between them.

Teresa stood up, bent down to Yolanda’s level, and said softly, “Come on, Yolanda, let’s go have dinner.”

Yolanda set down her toys, but instead of taking Teresa’s hand, she ran straight past her to Sharon. Clutching Sharon’s hand, she smiled brightly. “Sharon, what delicious food did you make tonight?”

Yolanda beamed and said, “Thank you, Sharon! You’re the best!”

Teresa stood frozen in the bedroom, feeling numb all over.

‘She’s so warm to everyone else, but when it comes to me… she shuts me out. But I’m her mother!‘ Teresa thought, her heart aching.

As Teresa sat down, Ava rolled her eyes at her and muttered under her breath, “So shameless.” Her voice was faint, yet Teresa still heard

1. it.

Right in front of Yolanda, Ava didn’t even care about setting a good example. She just said whatever she wanted.

Teresa clenched her jaw but kept quiet for Yolanda’s sake. She didn’t want to cuss or get into it with anyone in front of Yolanda.

‘Kids copy everything they see, Teresa thought, ‘It only takes a few days for them to pick up bad habits.’

Sharon had just finished setting the table when Ava called out, “Sharon, come sit and peel some shrimp for Yolanda. She loves shrimp.”

Hearing that, Teresa shot Yolanda a stern look across the table and said sharply, “Yolanda, how many times have I told you? If you want shrimp, peel them yourself. People won’t always be there to help you. You need to learn to look after yourself.”

Ava, thinking Teresa was trying to pick a fight, snapped even louder, “Sharon, are you deaf? Peel the shrimp!”

Sharon looked a bit awkward, glancing between Ava and Teresa

Teresa wasn’t backing down. She shot Sharon a look and said, “Sharon, I’ve told you before, Yolanda’s a big girl now. Don’t baby her. Go take care of your own stuff; you don’t need to wait on her. She can handle it.”

In the end, Sharon listened to Teresa and left the dining room.

Yolanda’s face crumpled. Realizing no one would peel the shrimp for her, she burst into tears.

Teresa stayed silent, watching her cry, not comforting her.

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Chapter 169

Ava quickly turned to Yolanda. “Don’t cry, Yolanda. I’ll peel them for you.”

Yolanda nodded, her eyes still red from crying. “Thank you, Grandma Ava,” she sniffled.

As Ava peeled, she leaned down and whispered, “So, do you know who’s nice to you and who isn’t?”

Before Yolanda could respond, Teresa couldn’t hold back anymore. She slammed her cutlery down and rose to her feet. “Yolanda, come upstairs with me. Mom needs to talk to you.”

Yolanda kept ignoring Teresa, acting as if she were completely invisible.

Teresa’s patience snapped. She strode around the table, lifted Yolanda into her arms, and carried her upstairs.

Yolanda struggled and tried to wriggle free, but she was no match for Teresa’s strength.

In the end, Teresa carried Yolanda straight into the room.

Teresa set her down roughly on the couch and asked in a raised voice, “Do you know what you did wrong?”

Yolanda didn’t answer, only cried harder.

Teresa neither scolded nor comforted, simply sat beside her and let her cry.

Yolanda thought her tears would make Teresa feel bad or soften up, but even after she cried for ages, Teresa didn’t pay her any attention.

Yolanda soon realized her tears had no effect. Switching tactics, she clutched her stomach and groaned in feigned pain, curling up on the couch.

Still, Teresa remained silent, refusing to give in.

Downstairs, Ava instinctively rose to follow them, but Sharon caught her arm. “Teresa’s Yolanda’s mother. It’s her job to discipline her own kid. You and I should just stay out of it.”

”