When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Eight hours in a holding cell, and the cop finally swings the door open. “Bail’s posted, Ms. Sullivan–you’re free to go.”

Bail? From Charles or her family?

Teresa doesn’t ask who paid it. She just nods, thanks him, and steps into the lobby.

There, framed against the neon cop–shop lights, stood a figure.

It’s Charles.

– Suit sharp enough to slice bread, legs for miles–same man, same shell, zero warmth.

Yet for

sex,

he had neve

once given Teresa a truly satisfying experience.

No doubt his intimacy with Naomi was everything she had never had.

Charles had heard Teresa’s footsteps but noticed her hesitation. He turned, voice betraying nothing as he said simply, “Let’s go.”

His expression remained unreadable.

Teresa couldn’t care less what he thought. Yes, hitting George had been impulsive–but she didn’t regret it.

Gone were the days when she would have longed to walk beside him, to take his hand.

Gone were the days when she would have longed to walk beside him, to take his hand.

Now, they were two separate entities–him and her.

His Rolls–Royce waited at the curb, but Teresa made no move toward it.

Just as she raised her hand to hail a cab, Charles opened the passenger door. “Get in. We need to talk.”

Teresa lowered her arm–but instead of taking the front seat, she opened the rear door herself and slid in.

Charles blinked in surprise. He knew damn well Teresa would’ve killed for this kind of attention before.

But now that he was actually trying? She couldn’t seem to care less.

For a second Charles just stared, then slid into the back seat beside her.

Teresa’s brow furrowed slightly when he sat next to her.

Teresa felt the old closeness like a bruise–his cologne laced with smoke, the scent she once craved now catching in her throat.

The car filled with suffocating silence. As neither spoke, the air between them growing heavier by the minute.

Charles cracked the window and lit a cigarette. Smoke curled toward Teresa on the draft, sending her into a coughing fit.

Unable to bear it, she reached for the door–only for Charles to suddenly seize her wrist.

His grip was loose, yet Teresa didn’t resist. She settled back into the seat.

“Must you smoke? It’s disgusting? Her tone was sharp.

Even as she spoke, she knew–had it been Naomi beside him, the cigarette would never have appeared.

Especially not while supposedly trying for a second child

Charles said nothing. After a long pause, he flicked the cigarette out the window and waited for the smoke to clear before rolling it up.

Minutes passed before he imally spoke “Why did you do

Teresa offered no justification “I acted accesling to my conscience. I stand by what I dNİ

Charles’s expression darkened. Your rela

es Bu have przy considered Yolarla

1:05 PM P P

They’d always been worlds apart. Even now, when they were butting heads, he stayed perfectly calm.

Teresa almost did a double take. Was he serious? One look at his face said he was.

“Now you remember I’m her mother?” She let out a bitter laugh. “Do I even count as one to you?”

Lately Teresa had been acting downright unreasonable–couldn’t even bother showing up for some Kindergarten activities.

To his surprise, Teresa didn’t argue. “Yolanda’s my daughter,” she said calmly. “I know my duty.”

Then she dropped the bomb, “If that’s all, I’ll be going.”

No begging to stay like old times. No longing looks.

Charles felt like he’d been sucker–punched. As she reached for the door, he blurted out, “There’s a Thanksgiving celebration at school. Take Yolanda–I’ve got meetings.”

Teresa paused. She’d already promised to take Monica. “Can’t make it. Find someone else.”

Before he could respond, she was out the door, hailing a cab like her life depended on it. “Sullivan Mansion,” she told the driver.

Charles watched the taillights disappear, rubbing his temples.

Since when did Teresa–who’d once lived for their daughter–become so…indifferent?

And toward him…

Must be imagining things. He thought.

His phone buzzed It’s Naomi. “Charles, did you talk to Tereau?

Yolanda had begged Naomi to attend the celebration the moment it came out

But Navon had a micrest in kiddir events between her studies and piano recitals

“Shar’s busy,” Diaries and flatly. Maped siglind dramatically

I suppose I could camel any plate 14er

ripped with lake plus came

Chapter 29

The thought of wasting an afternoon with screaming toddlers made her want to scream herself. She’d much rather be the center of attention on stage.

She expected Charles to say “Don’t trouble yourself.” However, he agreed.

Naomi’s smile froze. “…Right. I’ll take her then.”