When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

0

Susan hurried to the bed and whispered, “Miss Yolanda, what’s wrong?”

Seeing the maid, Yolanda cried even harder. “I want Daddy… I want Daddy…”

She slapped the bedsheet harder and kicked her legs in distress.

Susan reached out to comfort her, “Miss Yolanda, Mr. Logan has already left. He asked Mrs. Logan to take you to preschool. Let me wash you up, alright?”

Yolanda saw the grease on Susan’s hand and pushed it away with disdain. “Get your dirty hands off me.”

Susan withdrew her hand and softly comforted her, “Don’t cry, Miss Yolanda. When Mrs. Logan returns, she can help you get cleaned up, okay?”

Yolanda turned her face away in displeasure. “I don’t want her to help me.”

Susan sighed, yet still trying to be patient. “Miss Yolanda, let me help you get you ready before Ms. Logan comes back. Or you’ll be late.”

But Yolanda refused to listen. “Go away! You’re not my mom.”

Out of options, Súsan calle propy

He answered quickly. “What’s wrong?”

Susan was sweating with anxiety, “Mr. Loganr, Miss Yolanda’s crying and refuses to back early?”

“She hasn’t come back yet?‘ Charles asked, his voice tightening.

“No, not yet.”

After a pause, Charles said, “Put Yolanda on the phone.”

let

me

wash her. Could you ask Mrs. Logan to come

Susan complied and brought the phone to Yolanda. “Miss Yolanda, it’s

your father.”

Though unhappy, Yolanda grabbed the phone. “Daddy…” Her voice was hoars

from crying.

“What are you crying for?” His tone was firm, not gentle.

Yolanda recognized the discontent in her father’s tone and responded softly, “You left without telling me. I woke up and you were gone.”

Charles didn’t explain, but his voice became sharply commanding, “Let Susan wash and braid your hair. When your mother comes back, she’ll take you to preschool.”

“But I…”

“That’s final.”

Yolanda was about to argue, but her father’s tone intimidated her into silence.

She lowered her head and reluctantly said, “Fine.”

“I’ll call her to pick you up. If you don’t want to talk to her, don’t. But she’s still your mother, and it’s her duty to take you to school.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

After hanging up, Charles called Teresa, but she didn’t answer–she was at the clinic, phone on silent,

He guessed she might have left her phone when taking Richard out and so didn’t call again.

He thought, ‘No matter her feelings, Yolanda was still her daughter; she wouldn’t completely neglect her.’

With that in mind, he sent her a text: [Take Yolanda to school. I’m at the office.]

On the other side, Susan had just dressed Yolanda, braided her hair, and served her breakfast.

From 8:00 to 8:20, they waited, but Teresa still hadn’t returned.

Richard frowned. “She left nearly an hour ago. Isn’t Charles upstairs? Why isn’t he taking her?”

Upon hearing this, Yolanda’s tears started flowing again, and she cried even harder.

Normally, it was Naomi who took her to school, and Naomi never arrived late. The teachers always praised her and give her a sticker.

But today, there was no sticker for her.

All morning, Yolanda felt the teacher’s eyes on her, cool and distant. Even

Her mood stayed sour all day.

She kept cursing Teresa in her heart, her hatred for her growing sharper by the

No apology, no ride–just making her look disobedient.

She decided she’d never speak to her again.

she raised her hand high, she wasn’t called on.

minute

The clinic closed precisely at 6:00 PM, and Teresa left the hospital.

Sitting in her car, she finally saw the messages on her phone, not only from Charles about taking Yolanda to school, but also one from Howard.

[Teresa, your mom and I have prepared a lot today. Bring Yolanda home for a visit. We just want to

see

our

granddaughter.]

Her father’s repeated request left Teresa with no choice.

So, st