Chapter 44
After finishing up with the medicine in the afternoon, Teresa headed off to work. Hector drove her back to the Sullivan Mansion that evening.
As Teresa reached for the car door to get out, Hector was already out first. He opened the door for her, then held out his hand and said, “Let me give you a piggyback ride.”
“Hector, really, you don’t have to go to all that trouble. I can walk back myself,” Teresa said, feeling a bit embarrassed as she kept refusing.
Hector still looked worried. “We’re already at the door; it’s just a few more steps. If something happened to you because I didn’t walk you in, your parents would definitely blame me.
“You don’t want me to be the culprit in you.
parents‘ eyes, do you?”
He was clearly joking, and Teresa could tell he meant well. Now that he’d brought up her parents, she really couldn’t argue anymore. So she handed him her hand and said, “Sorry to trouble you, Hector.”
Hector took her
ride.
-hand and helped her out of the car. Then, hes about to crouch down in front of her, clearly offering her a piggyback
Teresa felt way too awkward to let him give her a piggyback ride. She quickly grabbed his hand and said, “Hector, just help me walk in, okay?”
Hector straightened up and looked at Teresa. Seeing the tips of her ears turning red, he pressed his lips together and said, “Alright, we’ll do it your way.”
Teresa held the anti–inflammatory medicine Hector had bought for her, and he helped her walk toward the Sullivan Mansion.
Monica had been waiting eagerly by the door for a while. When she saw someone coming in, she quickly ran over.
When she saw it was Teresa, her eyes curved into little crescent moons. “Aunt Teresa, you’re back?”
The little girl’s face was full of excitement and innocence, but when she noticed Teresa limping, her brows furrowed in concern. “Aunt Teresa, what happened? Did you hurt your foot? Does it hurt?”
As she asked, Monica came closer to Teresa, took the bag of medicine from her, and slipped her small hand into Teresa’s.
Teresa felt a bittersweet warmth in her heart seeing how caring Monica was.
When she finally spoke, her eyes grew a little misty. “Monica, don’t worry, Aunt Teresa’s fine. I just sprained my ankle a bit, that’s all.”
Monica’s face was full of worry. “Does it hurt, Aunt Teresa?”
Teresa smiled and gently ruffled Monica’s hair. “It’s not too bad. I can tough it out.”
Monica looked up at Teresa, then noticed Hector standing nearby. “Aunt Teresa, who’s this handsome big brother?”
Teresa smiled and said, “This is my classmate, Hector Reed. You can call him Hector.”
Monica was just about to greet him, but Hector suddenly interjected, “Wait, since I’m your aunt’s classmate, that makes me the same generation as her. You should call me Mr. Reed instead.”
Hector wore a playful smile as he corrected her, and it was obvious he was teasing with a hidden meaning.
Munica was quick–witted. She sized up Hector
He was handsome, tall, and talked in a really natural way
Monica thought this uncle was great. he really suited Aunt Teresa.
After thinking it user for a moment, Monas called out in her sweetest voice, “Hi, Mr. Reed,
Her cheerful greeting ade Hector heart telt eeting a bit guilty, he said, “Ah, Leane over in such a hurry today I really should’ve broughal agility
”
1:07 PM P P
Chapter 44
Monica didn’t mind at all. She just stuck out her tongue playfully and said, “Then next time, you better not forget, Mr. Reed.”
Hector’s smile grew even wider. “I’ll remember that, Monica.”
Seeing Hector helping Teresa, Monica let go of her aunt’s hand and dashed off toward the main hall.
As she ran, she called out, “Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Aunt Teresa brought home a super handsome guy.”
Teresa turned to Hector, a little embarrassed. “Don’t mind her, she’s always like that.”
Hector never let go of Teresa’s arm, smiling at her, “Monica is adorable.”
Monica’s shout brought Howard, Linda, and Yvonne hurrying to the door to greet them. When they saw Hector, everyone’s faces lit up with smiles.
- it.
Teresa knew exactly what her family was up to, so she just buried herself in her food, not daring to listen to whatever Howard and Hector were chatting about.
Hector listened closely, occasionally glancing at Teresa and even reaching over to put some food on her plate.
Seeing how much Hector was enjoying himself, Teresa didn’t want to butt in, so she just let her family carry on.
Dinner stretched on and on, and Monica was practically nodding off, but Howard and, Hector were still going strong with their drinks.
Noticing his daughter was getting sleepy, Theodore got up and scooped Monica into his arms. He hadn’t planned to say anything, but he still gave Howard a gentle reminder, “Dad, that’s enough for tonight. No need to keep drinking.”
Howard waved him off. “Yeah, yeah, I got it.”
Theodore didn’t say anything more. He carried Monica upstairs, with Yvonne trailing behind.
With Hector still there, Teresa had no choice but to sit at the table and play hostess. It wasn’t until half past ten that Linda finally convinced Howard to stop drinking.
The two of them finished off two bottles of wine. Hector barely seemed fazed, but Howard, being older, ended up throwing up and had to be helped back to his room by Betty.
Teresa was worried about Hector, so she poured him a glass of warm water. “Hector, have some warm water.
Hector took the glass, smiled, and said, “From what your dad said, it sounds like things haven’t been easy for you”
Teresa didn’t deny it, but she just stayed quiet.
After Howard had had rough to drank tw started opening up about how hard Teresa’s life had been and how unhappy her marriage
Terra kept wanting to stop him that she canadus ger hans to hold back
Chapter 44
But once Howard had a few drinks in him, there was no stopping him; he just kept going on and on about how tough things had been for Teresa.
Seeing Teresa didn’t want to talk about it, Hector didn’t press. He took a couple of sips of warm water and said, “Guess I should get going.”
Teresa stood up. “Let me walk you out.”
Hector smiled, “It’s fine, really. Don’t worry about me. I’ll just call a ride service.”
Teresa still wasn’t reassured. “I’ll walk you out and wait with you until your ride gets here, then I’ll head back in.”
Hector glanced at her foot, about to say no, but she cut him off. “Come on.”
Seeing how determined she was, Hector didn’t argue.
They stepped outside and stood by the roadside. A chilly breeze brushed past them, and Hector turned to look at Teresa.
Her makeup was subtle, and her long hair was a little messy from the wind.
After hearing everything Howard had shared, Hector felt a pang of regret and heartache for Teresa.
“Teresa, you know, I-” Hector began, his voice a little hesitant.
He’d downed a bottle of wine, but with his strong tolerance, he was still clear–headed.
Maybe it was the liquid courage talking, but for some reason, he suddenly wanted to say things to Teresa he’d never dared before.
But before he could finish, Teresa’s phone suddenly rang, cutting him off.
C
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