When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203

Richard wasn’t paying attention to Charles at all. Instead, he turned towards the silent Teresa and asked, “Teresa, what’s your take on it?”

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Teresa had been pretty dismissive, but with Richard putting her on the spot, there was no way she could just ignore it.

She hesitated for a second, then said against her true feelings, “Yeah, she is.”

Richard caught her response, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a subtle, satisfied smile.

After a moment, Richard continued, “By the way, I came tonight because there’s something I need to discuss with you both.”

Richard’s voice grew solemn, and Teresa and Charles couldn’t help feeling a sense of unease.

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He didn’t waste any time. “My health isn’t what it used to be, and I honestly don’t know how much longer I have. So I’ve decided to stay at Joyacre Villa for now. If I have to go, I want to spend my last days with my family.”

Ever since he returned from the hospital, Richard couldn’t shake off a growing fear inside him.

His wife had been gone for years, and he was the only one left at Logan Manor; the idea of falling again with no loved ones him truly scared him.

Teresa didn’t say anything, just turned to glance at Charles–he met her eyes right away.

As their eyes connected across the room, both of them had their own worries on their minds,

For Teresa, what troubled her

As for Charles, Teresa guessed he

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probably more concerned about what Naomi and Ava might have to deal with.

For a long moment, neither Teresa nor Charles said a word.

that if Richard really moved into Joyacre Villa, she’d be stuck coming over every

single day.

Richard, seeing their silence, got a bit upset. “What, am I that unwelcome? You won’t even let me stay here for a few days?”

Teresa quickly managed a smile and explained, “No, it’s not that–we’re just afraid we might not do a good enough job looking after you.”

Richard settled onto the couch, then glanced up at them. “Just hang out with me when you’ve got time. Unless I drop dead, I won’t be bothering you guys.”

Teresa kept quiet, instead shooting Charles a look–clearly signaling for

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Charles met Richard’s gaze and said, “If you want to stay, then just stay as To handle it./

Richard instantly puffed up and replied proudly, “Well, of course.”

as you want.”

Just then, the sound of laughter drifted down from upstairs–Naoini and Yolanda were clearly having a blast.

Richard glanced at his watch; it was getting late.

He leaned in and whispered to Teresa, “It’s pretty late. Yolanda should be getting to bed.”

Teresa barely registered what Richard was saying–her mind kept circling back to how Charles had just told him he could stay for an extra–long spell.

Charles had just tossed out that promise like it was nothing, but it meant Teresa would be stuck making the trip every single day.

Just thinking about it made Teresa feel all bottled up inside, like her chest was packed so tight she could hardly breathe.

Charles knew exactly what Teresa was thinking, but to keep Richard from suspecting anything, he quickly called out, “Aunt Ava!”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ava was still mincing meat, with a pile of ingredients beside her yet to be washed.

Hearing Charles’s voice from the living rooin, she called back out of habit, “Coming!”

She hurried into the living room, and Charles immediately said, “Go upstairs and let the tutor know she can head out now.”

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12:16 AM P P

Chapter 203

Tutor? Ava blinked, thinking to herself, ‘Since when did we have a tutor around here?‘

Even as they stepped outside, she kept grumbling, “Teresa is seriously nuts—who in their right mind wants Beef Wellington in the middle of the night?”

They both knew it was making things difficult, but with Richard around, they couldn’t do anything but swallow their pride.

Now that they were finally free, both of them were still annoyed and frustrated.

Seeing her mom fuming, Naomi hurried to comfort her. “Come on, Mom, it’s really not worth getting worked up about. That’s about all Teresa knows how to do anyway.”

Ava finally forced herself to exhale, biting out, “One of these days, I’ll make Teresa cry her eyes out as she gets kicked out of Joyacre Villa.”

Naomrpaused, stepped forward, and lightly rubbed her mom’s back. “Mom, honestly, whether Teresa gets kicked out or not doesn’t really change much. I can live with my situation as it is. If Charles ever divorces, I’ll marry him fair and square. If not, I’ll just keep staying by his side as his…

She trailed off, but they both knew exactly what she meant without saying it out loud.

Ava took one look at Naomi’s tired face and her heart ached, “Just look at you–so worn out. When you get home, turn your phone off, don’t give that little ingrate a chance to bother you.”

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Chapter 203

Naomi nodded. “Okay, Mom. I know.”

Back at Joyacre Villa, Charles headed upstairs after Naomi left.

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When he reached Yolanda’s room, she was lying on her bed, putting stickers on.

Hearing footsteps, Yolanda called out without looking up, “Miss Naomi!”

But when she saw it was Charles, her smile faded. “Dad, where’s Miss Naomi? Didn’t she come up with you?”

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Charles sat down at the edge of the bed, gently tousling Yolanda’s hair. “Mr. Richard will be staying at Joyacre Villa for a while, so Miss Naomi won’t be able to keep you company.”

Yolanda’s eyes were full of confusion. “Why?”

Charles didn’t really explain much. “Mr. Richard’s going to be living here for a while, so Miss Naomi won’t be able to stay with you at all. during this time.”