When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 229

Chapter 229

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Teresa turned her face away, wouldn’t even look at Troy. “I don’t owe you an explanation. You don’t need to know everything about me,” she said coldly.

But even though she sounded so indifferent, Teresa’s heart felt soft and vulnerable deep down.

Troy refused to give up. He reached out, determined to grab her arm.

But the instant his hand brushed against her, Teresa frowned in pain, looking genuinely miserable.

Troy panicked and snatched her hand. When he saw the bruises covering her arm, his eyes grew red and his voice tightened with emotion.

In that moment, every trace of anger disappeared, leaving only a crushing ache in his heart for her.

Troy held Teresa’s hand, watching her silently as tears slid down his cheeks.

Teresa tried to pull her hand away, but when she saw Troy crying, her heart clenched out of nowhere. “You…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Troy kept holding her hand gently and said softly, “Just rest, okay? I’ll be right here.”

Teresa didn’t reply. She just gazed at him, lost in the moment.

He tried so hard to hide his tears, turning his face away, but Teresa still caught the glimmer of them in his eyes.

Once more, she saw that raw ache and worry shining in his gaze.

But she still couldn’t read him. To her, all these emotions just looked like another performance.

Troy turned off the lights and gently coaxed her to sleep.

In the dim room, Teresa had no idea that, bit by bit, tears were streaming quietly down Troy’s face.

It was late, and Teresa was already exhausted.

Within minutes, she drifted off to sleep.

Troy sat by Teresa’s bedside, utterly still, his gaze empty and lost–like he was in a trance, unable to look away from her.

Every bruise she had was like a needle pricking at his heart, each mark hurting him more than the last.

Only after Teresa had fallen deeply asleep did Troy reach over to gently tuck the blanket around her shoulders.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her for the longest time. Then, finally, he leaned down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead before slipping quietly out of the room.

As soon as he stepped out of the room, Troy spotted Wendy.

He collected himself, then quietly asked, “Wendy, can I ask you to stay with her a bit longer?”

Wendy looked confused. And you? Where are you heading?”

Troy hesitated before replying, “I’m not doing anything.”

He didn’t wait to see if she agreed–he just walked away.

Meanwhile, after Naomi had taken Charles away, Andrew and Stella joined Jason and Finn at their booth.

The four of them lounged together, drinking and swapping all kinds of stories–funny moments, wild memories, and whatever else came to mind

Even though it was way after midnight, the bar still pulsed with life

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10:35 AM PP

Chapter 229

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Stella had downed two beers, and now her stomach was feeling a bit bloated.

Finding a good moment, she stood up and, a little embarrassed, said to the others, “I’m gonna hit the restroo

Andrew just nodded for her to go ahead.

Stella smoothed out her dress and stepped out of the booth.

But as she stepped down, she accidentally bumped into a girl passing by.

The girl had long blonde hair, was caked in makeup, and wore a skimpy outfit that barely covered anything.

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After Stella bumped into her, the girl whipped around, glaring at her with a fierce, aggressive look. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she snapped.

Stella froze for a second, then shot back, equally annoyed, “Nothing.”

The girl looked pissed and closed in on Stella, getting right up in her space and snapping, “You bumped into me! Don’t you even know how to say sorry?”

Stella was pushed back step by step until her back was literally against the wall. The girl crowded right up against her and barked,

Apologize!”

“It wasn’t even on purpose! Why should I apologize?” Stella shot right back, refusing to let this girl walk all over her.

But the girl didn’t give a damn. She smacked Stella across the face. “You filthy bitch! Consider it a gift that I spat in your mouth–and you’ve got the guts to look disgusted? Who do you think you are, acting like I’m not good enough for you? You must be tired of living!”

Stella was completely stunned by the slap. When the shock finally wore off, she instinctively yelled in Andrew’s direction, “Andrew!”

There was so much noise over here, it instantly grabbed everyone’s attention.

Andrew didn’t catch Stella calling out, but he did spot all the heads turning, eyes locked on the same spot.

He followed their line of sight–and that’s when he saw Stella getting bullied.

Andrew couldn’t sit still for another second. He shot up from his seat, jumped out of the booth, and shouted at the girl, “What do you think you’re doing? Touch my friend again and you’ll wish you hadn’t!”

But right as he was getting close, the girl whipped out a folding knife–without even flinching, she raked the blade straight across Stella’s face.

Jason and Finn had also jumped out of their booth by now. They rushed over to catch Andrew, who looked like he was about to collapse.

The two guys just stared at Stella, but neither one stepped in to help.

Andrew was Charles’s little brother–of course they’d look out for him. But Stella? Well…

Stella saw Andrew shrinking back, and Jason and Finn just watching in total silence, making no move to help.

Right now, she couldn’t even feel the sting of the knife anymore–all she felt was her heart breaking into pieces.

After slashing her face, the girl pinned Stella down and started beating her without holding back.

Stella’s world went black as blood kept pouring from her wounds.

When Stella finally came to, she spotted a lone figure sitting quietly by the window.

Through the haze of her vision, all she could see was his tall, steady silhouette–so solid and familiar, it gave her a shaky sense of comfort.

Weakly, Stella blurted out without thinking, her voice barely a whisper, “Andrew?”

As soon as she called out, the figure slowly turned in the chair.

Stella’s eyes finally focused–it wasn’t Andrew. Instead, it was a face that had left her anxious and on edge for so, so long.

The events of that day at the gala were burned into Stella’s memory–she would never forget them.

Troy hadn’t shown her a shred of mercy; he’d torn her down in front of everyone, leaving her dignity in ruins.

Stella stared as Troy came toward her, his handsome face softened by a faint smile. “Were you calling for me?” he asked, his voice gentle, tinged with something she couldn’t quite place.

Stella froze when she realized it was Troy. “Why is it you? Where’s Andrew?” she blurted out, her voice full of disbelief.

Troy sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. “That useless loser? What’s he ever gonna do for you?”

Stella’s face, slashed by the knife, was now wrapped up tightly in gauze.

She fixed Troy with a guarded stare, her voice steady but wary. “So? What exactly are you trying to say?”

Troy leaned down, reaching out to gently poke Stella’s forehead with his finger. His voice was unexpectedly gentle as he asked, “Did that

hurt?”

Stella looked a bit dazed, but shook her head anyway.

Troy’s expression darkened at her answer.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a soft, almost casual whisper. “That didn’t hurt, did it?”

There was something unspoken in his words–so much hidden meaning that Stella felt goosebumps crawl across her skin.