When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

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Forced fruit never tastes sweet. Especially since Teresa couldn’t have kept that marriage going even if she tried. Even if she hadn’t asked for the divorce, Charles would have done it after their second child.

But Teresa didn’t want to be a breeding tool anymore. Much less a caged bird.

Watching her tears fall, Hector’s heart ached. Beyond offering comfort and wiping away her tears, there was nothing else he could do.

After Yolanda dashed onto the stage, Charles didn’t follow immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted sideways–just in time to see Hector wiping tears from Teresa’s cheek.

They stood so close that from Charles’s angle, they looked practically pressed together.

By then, Naomi had changed out of her gown. Taking Yolanda’s hand, she walked toward Charles. “Charles.” she called softly.

Charles snapped back to attention, his

eyes

arming as they met hers.

“Dinner together?” Naomi suggested.

Sure.” Charles answered with a smile.

Yolanda tugged at Charles’s arm. “Daddy, I want roasted n meat.”

Naomi booped her nose playfully. “Little foodie.” she teased.

Outside the concert hall, the cool air cleared Teresa’s head. The weight lifted off her chest.

Charles and Yolanda walked away from her,

not the other way around. She had nothing to apologize for.

Seeing Teresa looked more herself, Hector spoke up. “Want to grab dinner?”

Teresa thought for a second, then nodded. “Why not?” She was hungry. Besides, she didn’t want to turn Hector

down.

At the restaurant, Hector held the door for Teresa.

The moment Teresa stepped inside, she froze.

Right at the center table sat six people, including Charles, Yolanda, and Naomi.

Charles and Yolanda had their backs to the entrance, completely unaware Teresa had entered. Naomi sat beside Charles, her view toward the doorway blocked unless she turned around.

Across from Charles sat two men and a woman. Teresa recognized both men, Jason and Finn. But the woman was a stranger to her.

In their wealthy circle, men tended to bring different women to different events. Even married ones.

As for Charles, Naomi was the only one ever by his side. Everyone in his world knew Naomi well. But very few knew Charles actually had a wife named Teresa.

Hector followed her in. Seeing Teresa frozen in place, he asked right away, “What’s up?” But the words were barely out of his mouth when he spotted Charles and the others nearby.

Grabbing Teresa’s arm, he said, ‘Let’s grab a bite somewhere else.

Teresa didn’t budge. Instead, she held him back. Looking straight at him, she said in a steady voice, “It’s fine. Let’s eat here.”

It wasn’t her who’d screwed things up. She wasn’t about to hide from anyone.

Hector looked at Teresa for a few moments, then smiled. Alright”

Teresa chose a table near the entrance, quite a ways away from Charles. The two groups sat back–to–back, so no one could see the other

pany.

Hector handed the menu to Teresa and let her order. She didn’t play coy and picked two dishes she liked.

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Chapter 17

Soon, the food arrived. Teresa had barely taken her first bite when she heard Yolanda’s excited voice from nearby.

“Uncle Gould, you know what? Miss Naomi is super talented. She played the piano beautifully. I’ve never heard anything like it.”

Jason chuckled at Yolanda’s words. He leaned across the table to look her right in the eye. “Listen, Yolanda.” he said, “Your Miss Naomi is the real deal. She just finished her master’s and is heading for her doctoral degree. And her family’s got money.

“On top of that, she’s got a pile of piano awards and certificates. Oh, and she does some modeling and acting on the side. She doesn’t just do things well. She can do an amazing job at anything she tries. Seriously.”

Naomi patted her head, her voice warm and affectionate. “You’ll do amazing things too, sweetie. Because you have an

1. sa.

Yolanda let out a huff. “Ugh, so annoying.” she complained, “I keep running into Mom everywhere.”

Yolanda was huffing and puffing, her appetite suddenly gone.

‘Running into Mom at the concert was bad enough, she thought, ‘but at a restaurant too? She must be following us around secretly. But… maybe she couldn’t help it? Maybe she wants to say sorry?”

little.

Since the two groups were sitting back–to–back, it wasn’t until Yolanda sneaked another peek at Teresa that she realized that Teresa was

gone.

Yolanda was thrown for a loop. She couldn’t figure out Teresa’s intention.

Charles hadn’t noticed when Teresa had left either. He just didn’t care enough to ask.

Hector drove Teresa back to Sullivan Mansion. When they arrived, Yvonne was waiting in the doorway, wrapped in a coat.

Teresa got out of the car, looking puzzled. “Yvonne, what are you doing out here?” she asked.

Yvonne glanced at Teresa, then her eyes shifted to the driver’s seat. There sat a tall and handsome man. His clothes were clearly well–off. The car he drove was low–key but solid, radiating quality.

Hector noticed Yvonne checking him out. He met her gaze naturally and introduced himself, “I was Teresa’s university classmate, two years above her.”

Yvonne smiled. “Hello”

Hector gave a slight nod. His good manners showed in the little things.

Teresa and Hector chatted for another moment. “Next time, dinner’s on me.” she insisted.

A warm, deep smile lit up Hector’s eyes. He knew Teresa too well. Letting her feel she owed him was the perfect way to guarantee countless more meet–ups.

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They’d been close friends back then. But since Teresa got married, things had naturally faded away.

After Hector left, Yvonne looked at Teresa with a thoughtful, curious look. “Just a classmate?” she pressed.

Teresa nodded, her reply quick and firm. “Yeah, just a classmate. But we were close friends.”

Seeing Teresa clearly wasn’t in the mood for any talk about romance, Yvonne dropped it. Instead, she suddenly turned serious. “Dad’s waiting for you in the living room. Says it’s something important.”

The look on Yvonne’s face told Teresa this wouldn’t be easy for her.

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