When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

After leaving Joyacre Villa, Teresa drove to a nearby park.

Yolanda’s stubbornness and Charles’s disregard for her health were like a splinter lodged in her heart.

She wished she could pull out that splinter, but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t figure out how.

Sitting on a bench, Teresa covered her face and silently shed tears.

She could turn a blind eye to Charles, but Yolanda was still just a kid. If she didn’t get the right guidance, she might end up on the wrong path.

Plus, Yolanda’s messed–up routine was bound to mess with her health.

Just thinking about all this made her chest feel tight.

The night wind was cold, but her heart felt even colder.

For hours, she had sat there, unmoving, when suddenly a pair of feet came into view.

Startled, she looked up.

Ethan’s face came into view, a faint smile playing on his lips, which only made Teresa’s stomach turn.

She rose, hurrying to leave.

But Ethan stepped in front of her, blocking her way. “Ms. Sullivan, it’s late. You shouldn’t be out here alone. Want me to drive you home?”

Teresa didn’t even acknowledge him and moved to walk past.

But as she went by, he suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm.

She struggled to pull away. When she couldn’t, she shot him a cold look, snapping, “I have my own car. Put away your phony act.”

Ethan glanced down, meeting her tear–stained eyes. He asked with a puzzled look, “Do you hate me that much?”

Teresa sneered, “Obviously. What, you expect me to like you?”

Ethan was almost amused. Fine lines crinkled at the corners of his eyes as he gave her a meaningful smile, his voice evil. “Charles is into Naomi anyway. If you develop any feelings for me, I won’t mind.”

Teresa rolled her eyes, snapping, “Let go of me. Have you no shame?”

But Ethan just gripped her arm tighter and tried to wrap his arm around her waist.

That handsy just freaked Teresa out. She yelled, “Ethan, what the hell are you doing?”

Ethan leered, showing his true colors. “Charles is done with you,” he sneered. “But that body’s too good to go to waste. Why not have some real fun with me? Once you’re done with him, I’ll put a ring on it. What do you say?”

He yanked Teresa closer, leaned in, and said everything vile right to her face.

Teresa struggled violently, tilting her head back and glaring furiously at him. “You bastard! Let go of me!”

Ethan, not at all pissed off, just sneered, “What are you gonna do about it?”

In a flash, Teresa drove her heel toward Jus crotch. But Ethan was quicker, blocking the blow with a cupped palm. The kick landed harmlessly against his hand.

Ethan’s smirk curdled into a scowl at her resistance, his expression hardening. “Teresa, you little bitch–how dare you?” he snapped.

With that, he reached out to yank at her shirt.

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10:37 AM PP

Chapter 171

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But the sound of a roar cut through the tension like a blade. “Ethan, you son of a bitch! Lay a hand on Troy’s girl and I’ll bury you!”

It was Leo.

He came barreling in from behind Teresa, his face red with rage.

Before Ethan could blink, Leo’s fist connected with his jaw–hard.

Ethan yelped, clutching his mouth as blood split his lip, dribbling down his chin.

“Who I mess with is none of your goddamned business!” Ethan snarled, glaring up at Leo.

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Leo tugged Teresa behind him, then turned on Ethan with a cold, sneering laugh. “Try it again–go on. You think because your lousy company is chummy with Charles and Jason, those two weasels, you’re untouchable? Troy could sink you faster than you can blink. Mess with his girl? You are not even worth the dirt on his shoes.”

Ethan felt a chill prick his spine.

Riverdale’s power split clean down the middle–Charles’s crew on one side, Troy’s on the other.

Sucking up to Charles didn’t mean he could afford to cross Troy.

Leo’s words hit home, and for a second, Ethan looked spooked.

But he puffed out his chest, trying to sound tough. “Just wait, Leo. One day you’ll be on your knees begging for my help.”

Leo scoffed, pure contempt in the sound. “Beg you? In your wildest dreams, asshole.”

Ethan knew he was outmatched–no way he could take Leo in a fight. With a muttered curse, he slunk off, tail between his legs.

In this world, if you didn’t have the muscle, you swallowed your pride and ran.

Once he was gone, Leo turned to Teresa, his voice softening. “You are alright, Teresa?”

She shook her head, still a little shaky, but managed a weak “I’m fine.”

Leo noticed her eyes were red, like she’d been crying. He didn’t press–some things were better left unsaid.

Teresa gave him a grateful look. “I brought my car. I can make it,” she said.

“Then I’ll follow,” Leo said, firm. “I’m not leaving till I see you through the door.”

Before she could protest, he added, “Come on. Don’t even argue.”

She let him–no point in fighting. So he tailed her all the way back, just like he said.

Later, Leo’s phone rang. It was Troy, his voice tight with impatience.

“You still on your way?”

Tell you when,l get there,” Leo said, keeping it vague.

10:37 AM P P

Leo flopped onto the couch, grabbed a handful of grapes from the platter, and popped one into his mouth, chewing slow.

He glanced up at Troy. “I ran into Teresa.”

“Park,” Leo said, casual.

“Hmm,” Troy grunted, looking back down–like it didn’t matter.

Leo snorted. “She looked rough. Real down.”

Troy’s hand tightened into a fist, but he shrugged, feigning indifference. “This is not my problem. I don’t care.”

Leo knew better. He popped the last grape into his mouth and continued, “Ethan was hassling her. I think she cried.”

That did it. Troy shot to his feet, his face dark as a storm cloud. He didn’t say a word–just stormed out of the room.

Leo chuckled, shaking his head. “I knew it. You act like you don’t give speed record to get to her, huh?”

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shit, but you’re twisting up inside. Bet you’re about to break a

Troy didn’t bother with a reply. He just picked up the pace, practically jogging

out the door.

Back at the Sullivan Mansion, Teresa retreated to the bathroom to freshen up.

Later, the steam from her shower clung to the air as she stepped out, wrapped in a plush towel.

She was running a second towel through her damp hair and taking off the plush towel.

Just as she did, she heard a loud thud behind her.

Teresa jerked around, her heart hammering against her ribs. Instinctively, she crossed her arms over her chest, her voice sharp with panic.

“Who’s there?”

As she spun toward the sound, she fumbled to yank the towel up, the clumsy motion doing little to preserve her modesty.

Her eyes widened in disbelief when they finally landed on the figure standing in the room.

“Troy?” she blurted out.

Troy just stood there, staring, his face red as a tomato.

Teresa gripped the towel around herself, desperate to hide, but her long legs were still on full display, and that exposed collarbone was practically begging for attention, hooking his gaze and refusing to let go.

When he’d first come in, he’d accidentally gotten an eyeful of her bare back–so slim, with that delicate curve at her waist. It was enough to scramble his brain and make his heart pound like crazy.

Troy was so flustered, he didn’t even realize he was still staring.