When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Naomi hung up the phone and turned around, only to see Teresa, her face full of worry, hurrying over while calling out for Yolanda.

At that moment, Naomi’s hand was still bleeding from her broken nail. Even though it hurt, she couldn’t spare a thought for her injury.

Yolanda was missing, and Naomi had no way to explain that to Charles.

As Teresa approached, Naomi called out, “Hi, Ms. Sullivan.”

Teresa shot her a frosty look and demanded, “Where’s Yolanda?”

Naomi lifted her hand and pointed. “She probably went that way.”

Without saying another word, Teresa walked around Naomi and hurried after her.

The school event was still going on, but Monica, worried about Teresa, had Yvonne go with her to look for Yolanda.

Teresa searched every classroom but couldn’t find Yolanda anywhere.

Finally, she headed to the restroom. Just as she was about to go in, she ran into Charles coming out with Yolanda in his arms.

Yolanda had clearly been crying. She was leaning on Charles’s shoulder, her body still shaking with sobs.

Charles’s large hand soothingly stroked her back, both to comfort her and to keep her from slipping.

Teresa’s heart went out to her daughter, and she gently called, “Yolanda?”

Charles wore a cold expression, his eyes icy as he looked at Teresa. The chill coming off him was so suffocating, it felt like it could drown

her.

“So this is what you call something important?” he said, his voice rumbling from deep in his throat, the accusation clear in every syllable.

Just a little while ago in the restroom, Yolanda had been sobbing so hard it felt like her whole world was falling apart.

It wasn’t until Charles showed up and asked her a couple of questions that he finally pieced together what had happened.

He realized that Teresa’s important matter was just her accompanying Monica for a performance.

He understood why people were gossiping about his daughter, and he found out that Naomi had injured her nail while trying to stand up for Yolanda.

Teresa figured Yolanda must’ve said something to Charles, but she didn’t get intimidated at all by his overwhelming aura. She answered, “Yeah, I promised Monica first.”

Seeing how unapologetic she was, acting like she had every right, Charles got even angrier. He let out a cold laugh, “You really think it’s just normal, huh?”

In Charles’s eyes, Teresa was in the wrong for not putting Yolanda first. But he had no clue that Teresa had already given up everything about them.

Teresa really didn’t feel like explaining herself to Charles. She just said, “Suit yourself.”

Ciparies looked disappointed Without another word, he turned to leave with Yolanda in his arms, throwing over his shoulder, “Since you clearly don’t want to be involved with Yolanda, then just stay out of her life from now on.”

With that, Charles walked right past Teresa, carrying Yolanda away.

Teresa called after his back, her voice cold. “Works for me.”

Charles stopped in his tracks and turned back, glaring at Teresa “You

He was eliciously pissed that Teresa didn’t care about Yolanda at all, which was why he blurted out something so harsh.

But he never thougin Tere qually agree to candy.

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Chapter 40

The Teresa who used to see her daughter as her whole world seemed to have completely disappeared. The woman standing in front of him now felt like a stranger.

Teresa stepped forward and looked Charles straight in the eye. “Since that’s how you want it, let me be clear with you. Starting today, I’m done getting involved in Yolanda’s business.”

Teresa wasn’t just saying it out of spite; she’d made up her mind about this long ago.

‘Are they going to start fighting again? Or is Mom really going to stop caring about me?‘ Yolanda thought anxiously, then called out in a timid voice, “Mom?”

“And if you do something wrong, you have to make it right. Understand?”

“People will always have something to say, good or bad, but you have to believe in yourself. If your dance didn’t go as well as you hoped, we’ll work harder next time. You really don’t need to pay attention to what those people say.”

Yolanda kept nodding, her tears just wouldn’t stop.

“From now on, make sure you listen to your dad, okay? And if anything at school upsets you, be sure to tell him, got it?” Teresa continued.

Charles couldn’t stand to listen any longer. He adjusted Yolanda in his arms and gave Teresa a cold, hard look. “Spare me the reminders. I’ll look after my daughter myself.”

Teresa’s words sounded like she was saying her final goodbye to Yolanda, as if this was the last time they’d ever see each other.

For some reason, Charles couldn’t shake off a heavy feeling in his chest. He couldn’t stand to listen to Teresa ramble on anymore, so he scooped Yolanda up and strode straight out of the school.

Yolanda was hanging onto Charles’s shoulder, crying her heart out and wailing, “Mommy, I want Mommy, Daddy, put me down, I want Mommy.”

Charles didn’t pay her any mind and just walked right out of the kindergarten with her in his arms.

Teresa watched Charles and Yolanda leave, staring after them until they were completely out of sight. Only then did she clap a hand over her mouth, stifling her sols.

She’d risked her life just to have Yolanda. Of course, she wanted to always be by her daughter’s side. But in the end, her daughter didn’t really need her at all.

Teresa shumped down in the comer, hands over her face, fighting to keep herself from sobbing out loud. Just then, someone tapped her on the shoulder

Teresa lowered her hands and saw Ivonne crouching down beside her. She couldn’t hold back anymore and threw herself into Yvore’s

T

You do you think I’m being too cold hearted Teresa asked, her voice trembling

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Chapter 40

Yvonne held her close, gently stroking her hair. “I’m a mom, too. You wouldn’t have reached this point unless you were truly heartbroken.”

Teresa’s voice was barely a whisper, full of self–blame. “Maybe I don’t even deserve to be a mom. I don’t want Yolanda to lose her mom, but I just don’t know how to face either of them anymore.”

Teresa had a husband whose heart was never with her, and a daughter who disliked her and didn’t care about her. Living in a family like this was just exhausting for Teresa.

Yvonne hugged her tightly. “You’ve made your choice, so don’t look back. Let it go, and you’ll finally be able to live more freely.”

Teresa nodded. “I get it, Yvonne.”

Even though she’d made up her mind, Yolanda was still her child, the one she’d carried for nine long months. It broke her heart to let

1. go.

But no matter how much it hurt, Teresa was still determined to leave them behind.

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