When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 226

Chapter 226

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Charles caught Naomi flashing a radiant smile and let his own lips curl up in response. “Naomi, Jason and Finn are hanging out at that VIP booth over there. Go join them for a bit–I need to step out for a moment.”

Noticing that Charles was about to head off, Naomi couldn’t help but protest, “But Charles, Yolanda said she wanted to see you.”

Ever since that fall outing, Charles had barely gone to see Yolanda.

It wasn’t that he was too busy or mad at her. The real problem was Teresa’s decision to end her second pregnancy, and it just kept weighing on him. That was why he rarely set foot in Joyacre Villa anymore.

Richard was also living at Joyacre Villa, and when he heard about Teresa’s choice, he absolutely lost his cool.

Every single time Charles came home, Richard would start in on him about it. Charles was fed up and honestly just annoyed.

So, he simply didn’t want to go back.

For the past couple of days, Yolanda had been staying at Naomi’s villa. Ever since she’d snapped at Zane, she’d been on pins and needles, terrified that Charles might suddenly bring it up and chew her out.

But in reality, Charles hadn’t mentioned what happened that day at all.

After the panic died down, Yolanda started worrying–what if Charles just didn’t care about her anymore?

If he still wanted her around, wouldn’t he have come to see her?

‘Could it be that Dad doesn’t love me anymore? Yolanda couldn’t help but wonder.

After all that overthinking, Yolanda got super clingy with Naomi, always looking for her to say something reassuring or agree with her worries.

Every single day, she’d bombard Naomi with endless questions–was Charles still her dad, did he still care, could he still love her?

At first, Naomi just played along, but after a while, it started driving her crazy. That’s why she came to hunt down Charles, hoping he would swing by and give Yolanda the comfort she needed.

Maybe after seeing her for himself, Yolanda would finally stop constantly stressing out to Naomi about it.

Charles hesitated for a moment but then told Naomi, “Maybe another time. I’ve got some important stuff to handle today.”

Watching him turn her down, Naomi found herself thinking, ‘Is he really mad at me?”

But not wanting to deal with more of Yolanda’s nagging, Naomi tried again. “But Yolanda won’t sleep. She’s been crying, saying she wants to see you, and that you don’t want her anymore.”

As soon as she said that, Charles’s heart softened.

He thought to himself, “Teresa’s in the hospital, after all–she’s not going to starve to death or anything.

Besides, she’s still got the Sullivans and plenty of friends looking out for her.

After thinking it through, Charles finally relented. “Alright, let’s head back now.”

Hearing that, Naomi finally broke into a smile and said warmly, “Charles, you really are the best. I knew you couldn’t stop worrying about Yolanda.”

Charles didn’t respond, just headed quietly for the exit

Naomi trailed after him, clinging to his sleeve.

When they got to the parking lot, Charles tossed Naomi the keys. “I’ve been drinking, so you take the wheel.”

Naomi grabbed the keys and hopped into the driver’s seat, looking a little nervous but determined.

Charles settled into the passenger side, patiently walking her through how to shift gears and start the car.

1/8

10:35 AM P

Chapter 226

Naomi fiddled with everything for ages, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t get it to start.

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After fiddling with everything and double–checking, Naomi finally spotted the real issue–Charles hadn’t fastened his seatbelt.

The car just wouldn’t let them drive off unless the passenger side was buckled up.

Since Charles had been drinking, Naomi leaned in close and fastened his seatbelt for him, her movements gentle and caring.

Right then, the moment was immortalized—a candid, intimate snapshot of the two, all cozied up together.

Once Naomi finally got the car going, she glanced over and asked, “So, Charles, where were you planning to head off to before?”

Charles kept it vague, responding with a calm, “It’s not important. Let’s go home.”

Naomi nodded and then smiled, “I’m off tomorrow–will you come shopping with me?”

Charles didn’t hesitate at all. “Of course, I’ll go with you.”

After that cozy photo of the two came out, the paparazzi twisted every word, painting them as madly in love.

When Teresa saw the headline blowing up online, she was in so much pain she couldn’t even sleep.

Her body was covered in more than a hundred wounds and bruises, and no two pains were the same.

[Breaking! Famous Food Blogger Caught Using Her Body as Leverage in a Deal!]

When Teresa saw Wendy’s name tangled up in that drama, her heart skipped a beat.

She clicked on it, expecting the worst, but to her surprise, the comments were way nicer than she thought.

Sure, there were a few haters, but most of the comments were actually pretty chill.

[Not everyone who calls themselves a fan really is one. Like, look at the folks who come into the stream asking stuff like that.]

[I just don’t see how the blogger was “using her body as a bargaining chip.” Clearly, she’s protecting herself–is that even wrong?]

[Yeah, totally! Her words were kinda intense, but seriously, who in Riverdale would ever try to mess with Charles?]

Seeing all the positive comments, Teresa finally felt a little better.

But remembering what Wendy had said, Teresa still couldn’t shake off that uneasy feeling.

Teresa bit her lip, still anxious. “But… what if someone actually does?”

Wendy shot back without missing a beat. “Then I’ll meet them. If it helps you get back at them or makes you feel better, I’m more than willing”

Taking in Teresa’s worried look, Wendy flashed a reassuring smile. “Relax, meeting them doesn’t mean I’ll actually go that far, okay?” Teresa’s anxiety spiked. “No, please don’t! What if someone really is after you for your body? That’s way too dangerous–I don’t want you getting hurt.”

10:35 AM PP

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Sullivan Mansion.

Second floor–Teresa’s bedroom.

With a muted thud, a figure slipped swiftly and nimbly through the window.

The room was completely dark. With only faint light filtering in from outside, it was nearly impossible to make out the furniture or layout.

Troy had been here plenty of times before, so he knew the place like the back of his hand.

Even in complete darkness, he could easily make his way straight to Teresa’s bed without needing any light.

But as his hand reached the edge of the bed, he didn’t feel even a trace of warmth–no sign Teresa had been there at all.

He slowly felt his way across the mattress, confirming she wasn’t in bed.

He checked the bathroom too, but it was empty.

Glancing around the chilly, lifeless room, Troy’s lips curled in a wry smirk. ‘She’s definitely not home yet, he mused to himself.

Not bothering to play it subtle, Troy ditched his jacket and sprawled right out in Teresa’s bed like it was his own, totally unfazed.

It felt like nobody had stayed here for ages–the sheets had long lost even the faintest trace of her scent. Troy frowned, suddenly missing that familiar fragrance more than he cared to admit.

Ever since Teresa started keeping her distance, Troy kept telling himself he wouldn’t step foot in the Sullivan Mansion again.

But honestly, he just couldn’t fight it anymore–the urge was way too strong to ignore.

Forget self–control. He gave up trying to resist and just showed up.

He thought to himself, ‘Doesn’t matter why Teresa keeps her distance from me–I love her, and I want her. That much’s never changed.

‘Why should I always be the one tiptoeing around her feelings just because she backs off?‘ Troy griped inwardly.

Troy knew now he’d been wrong–he shouldn’t have given in when it came to what he felt.

Whether Teresa cared about him or didn’t, it didn’t matter at all.

The important thing was, he wasn’t going to let her love–or lack of it–mess with his head.

It didn’t matter what she thought–he was determined to make her his.

And until the day she was finally his, he wouldn’t give up. Not ever.