When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 212

Chapter 212

After dropping Naomi off, Charles headed back to his study to get back to work

Just from the sound of those little footsteps, Charles could tell it was Yolanda.

He had only been working for a short while when the study door creaked open softly.

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He stopped what he was doing and turned around. Yolanda was standing there, clutching her stuffed animal and wearing her pajamas. She tiptoed over to him and whispered, “Daddy, when are you going to bed?”

Charles leaned down, lifted Yolanda into his arms, and settled her on his lap. He rubbed his forehead against hers and said, “Daddy’s got some extra work to do. It might be a while.”

Yolanda pouted, clearly not happy.

Charles gently pinched her earlobe and asked, “Why don’t you go to bed first, okay?”

Yolanda just kept her lips pressed together, not saying a word.

Charles noticed she was upset and asked patiently, “What’s wrong?”

Yolanda didn’t really know what was wrong with her. She just sort of missed her mom–Teresa.

When her mom was around, she never got angry at her. She always spoke gently and explained things with so much patience.

But last night, Ava had scolded her so harshly. Of course Yolanda felt hurt about it.

Still, Grandma Ava said it was only because she was worried Yolanda would keep crying, and that’s why she acted that way.

Thinking about all of this, Yolanda tried her best to hold it in. She had promised Grandma Ava not to tell anyone else.

Seeing that she was still quiet, Charles tried again. “How about you go sleep with Grandma Ava?”

As soon as Yolanda heard Grandma Ava’s name, she immediately refused. “No, I don’t want to.”

Thinking she just wanted him nearby, Charles tried to reassure her. “Then once Daddy’s finished working, I’ll come and stay with you, okay?”

Yolanda didn’t say anything. She just hopped off Charles’s lap.

Without another word, she headed back to her room.

Lying on her soft bed, Yolanda’s heart felt hollow and lonely.

She waited for a few minutes, but Charles never came to check on her.

Suddenly, Yolanda missed her mom more than ever.

If it was her mom, she would drop everything just to be with her. Even if she was in the bathroom, she’d come out right away

But her dad wasn’t like that. He was always caught up with work.

Just thinking about Teresa made Yolanda’s eyes go red all of a sudden she thought, feeling the ache welling up inside.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside her dour

Yolanda glanced toward the not–quite–shut doorway and caught a glanpe of Teresa’s short shipping prist

But her mom didn’t come in to see her.

Turning over to lace the window, Yolanda des the tears stream freely down her cheeks

After crying for ages, Yolanda still couldn’t get to sleep feeling lovely and restless all she wasnteg

Her dad had bought Miss Nanu a bone that was literally right next door, ou

ly never by benell

Hugging her stuffed animal to her chest, Yolanda quetly slipped out the trein dogt of 1/8

12:22 AM P P .

Chapter 212

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When she pressed the doorbell at the house next door, her heart was full of hope–hoping Naomi would be the one to open the door and give her a comforting hug.

But it wasn’t Naomi–Ava opened the door instead.

Yolanda’s face instantly went pale when she saw Ava.

Ava opened the door, warmly taking hold of Yolanda’s little hand. “It’s so chilly tonight. Why are you wearing something so thin? Quick, come in, sweetie. Grandma Ava will make you some hot milk.”

Yolanda didn’t want to go inside and shrank back, resisting Ava’s hand.

Ava sensed Yolanda’s reluctance, paused, and gently urged, “Come on in.”

But Ava was insistent, and before Yolanda knew it, sh

was being pulled into the villa.

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Once inside, Ava sat down on the sofa and patted the spot next to her, ordering, “Come here.”

Yolanda clutched her stuffed animal tightly and slowly, shakily, sat down beside her.

As soon as she took a seat, Ava showed her true colors. She reached out and dug her fingers hard into Yolanda’s arm-

through gritted teeth, “You little brat, I ought to squeeze the life out of you.” ?

Yolanda had never seen Grandma Ava this scary before. She shrank back, voice trembling as she whimpered, “Grandma Ava, Yolanda hurts.”

Yolanda didn’t dare make a sound, but the tears just kept falling, rolling down her cheeks like pearls on a broken string.

Startled, she rolled over and reached out–her hand landed on something soft and wann and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. “What the- she thought nerves instantly on edge.

But then, remembering how Yolanda had been treating her lately. Tresa’s face went cold “Your fou is next door.

12:22 AM Pp.

Ava had told her she’d stay and help her fall asleep–promising to wait until Yolanda was asleep before leaving—but those were just empty promises.

Yolanda hadn’t even started drifting off when Ava began snoring loudly, leaving her wide awake and unhappy.

Worse yet, Ava had pinched her arm so hard it really stung.

Yolanda was a little princess–when had she ever been treated this badly?

Yolanda was devastated, but sitting there in front of Teresa, she hesitated, unsure if she should even mention the way Ava had hurt her. Teresa didn’t want Yolanda sharing her bed, but the kid wouldn’t budge, pouring her heart out with every word and sounding so heartbreakingly pitiful.

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Teresa’s heart softened a little. She didn’t hug Yolanda or show her much affection, but she just said, “Okay.”

–

Yolanda lay next to Teresa, finally feeling safe for once. There was no fear of anyone coming to pinch her or hit her tonight.

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All through the night, she kept wanting to crawl into her mom’s arms and cuddle up close, hoping to soak up that familiar warmth and comfort.

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But Teresa wouldn’t let her get too close, keeping a little distance between them the whole time.

The next morning, Teresa was the first to wake up. Seeing Yolanda curled up beside her, she felt an unexplainable ache in her chest, her eyes suddenly stinging with tears.

But remembering how distant Yolanda had been toward her lately, Teresa steeled herself, pushed down the urge to stay, and quietly slipped out of the room.

After getting ready, Teresa headed downstairs. As she walked, she overheard Richard saying, “I’m going out for a walk. I’ll have breakfast when I get back.”

Andrew Logan’s voice answered cheerfully, “Okay, Grandpa. Enjoy your walk!”

Hearing his familiar voice, Teresa froze for a second, her heart skipping a beat.

But after a brief moment of surprise, she shook it off and continued heading downstairs.

Andrew was sprawled out on the couch, mindlessly watching videos on his phone.

When he heard someone coming down the stairs, he glanced up. The moment he saw Teresa, he rolled his eyes and couldn’t help but snark, “It’s barely morning and you’re already skipping kitchen duty? Getting cozy playing the lady of the house, huh?”

Teresa didn’t bother responding and just headed for the door.

But Andrew wasn’t about to let her off that easy. He sneered after her, “Guess someone from a no–name family like yours could never really fit in around here.