When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Teresa fixed her gaze on Jason, her eyes frank and open. “Then tell me. What’s the difference?”

Jason was at a loss for words and chose to remain silent.

But Teresa wouldn’t let it go. “When he smiles at Naomi and takes her around, introducing her to everyone, did it ever cross your mind. that Charles is my husband?”

Jason grew even more flustered. “You’re just twisting things around.”

Teresa let out a bitter laugh. “Oh? Now that the tables are turned, you’re changing your tune?”

At that moment, Charles, who’d been standing by the door taking it all in, finally cut in. “That’s enough.”

Jason heard him and, with a sullen look, grudgingly stepped back a couple of paces.

Teresa turned to Charles. His face was icy, giving nothing away, but he started walking toward them, slow and deliberate.

Just like before, Teresa stood in front of Hector, shielding him. She demanded, “What exactly are you trying to do, Charles?”

Charles didn’t say a word; he just kept walking closer, step by step. His aura was overwhelming, silently dominating and intimidating everyone in the room.

Hector reached out and grabbed Teresa’s hand, about to pull her behind him, when a low, mocking chuckle suddenly echoed from the doorway. “Well, I was wondering who it was.

“Took a second look, and lo and behold, it’s Naomi’s boyfriend.”

Troy’s voice rang out from the doorway, his tone shifting with every word, putting even professional storytellers to shame.

Charles stopped in his tracks and turned around. Jason, unable to hold back his temper, snapped at Troy, “Shut up, will you? No one’s mistaking you for a mute.”

Troy leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking all cocky and carefree. He didn’t even glance at Jason, but his eyes darted around the floor like he was trying to figure out where the noise was coming from.

After a beat, he cupped his hand behind his ear, acting like he was trying to catch the sound. “Where’s that dog barking from? I hear it loud and clear, but where’s the actual dog?”

Jason’s face flushed with anger. He stormed over to Troy. “Troy, what the hell are you playing at?”

Troy dropped his arms and slowly straightened up, stepping right up to Jason without a hint of hesitation. The amusement in his eyes was instantly replaced by a cold, menacing glare. “What’s the matter? Not happy?”

Jason was definitely not happy, but before he could make a move, Charles called out, “Jason, enough.”

Hearing that, Jason took a step back and muttered, “Troy, don’t get cocky.”

Troy raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Yeah, I am. So what?”

Jason didn’t reply. He simply walked out of the room.

Charles turned his gaze back to Teresa. “Are you coming back with me or not?”

Teresa didn’t really get what he was after, but she retorted. “Charles, I’m not some dog you can just order around whenever you want,”

She meant every word. Whatever feelings she’d had for him were long gone.

Charles’s voice turned cold. Then don’t expect me to show any mercy to the Sullivan Family.

After dropping that threat, he strode out without looking back

As he passed Troy. Charles shot him a pointed look. In that silent stare, it was obvious they’d already gone head–to–head more times than anyone could count

Outside. Jason watched Charles come out, a bu puzzled Charles, you’re just leaving like this?”

1:07 PM P P.

Chapter 51

Charles didn’t say much. He just replied flatly, “Yeah.”

Inside the room, Teresa almost let out a laugh; she couldn’t help but find it all a bit ridiculous.

‘Why should I drop everything and come out to the middle of nowhere just because Charles says so? And why should I go back just because he snaps his fingers?‘ Teresa thought, her frustration simmering.

After Charles and Jason left, the room finally calmed down.

Teresa finally relaxed, her body no longer tense. Hector noticed and reached out to support her, asking, “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Teresa said.

Troy was still standing by the door, but instead of looking at Teresa, he was checking Hector out, like he was sizing up a rival.

Teresa looked up at Troy and said, “Thanks.”

Troy finally turned his gaze to Teresa, a roguish glint in his eyes and a teasing, irreverent tone. “Just a thank you? Not even a little action to prove it?”

Hector couldn’t stand Troy’s cocky attitude, so he looked over and said, “Mr. Hamilton, I could’ve handled it myself.”

Troy drawled, “Oh? Are you saying I butted in where I wasn’t needed?”

Teresa didn’t want to listen to Troy and Hector go back and forth, so she said to Troy, “It’s late, Mr. Hamilton. You should go get some

Then he glanced at Hector again, noticing Hector had no intention of leaving. Annoyed, he said, “What’s up, man? Can’t you take a hint? My babe’s telling you to get lost. Do you get it or not?”

Hector didn’t care what Troy had to say. He just looked at Teresa.

Teresa glanced at him and said, “Hector, you should go get some rest, too.”

Hector was worried about her. “What if they come back?”

Teresa smiled, “I know Charles. Once he’s gone, he won’t be back.”

Hector had no choice. If Teresa didn’t want him to stay, he couldn’t just hang around.

Besides, a man and a woman alone together–people might start talking. It just didn’t feel right.

In the end, Troy and Hector left together.

Teresa sat on the couch for ages, just staring into space, unable to shake off the uneasy feeling in her chest.

She knew Charles wasn’t the type to make empty threats. If he said he’d do something, he’d make it happen.

In the car, Jason couldn’t stop asking questions. Charles, are you really just going to let it go like that?”

Charles sat in the passenger seat, looking calm and collected. His voice was flat as he replied, “Yeah.”

Jason was frustrated. “You’re Charles. Are you really going to let Teresa make a fool out of you like that—twice?”

His face was barely visible in the dim light, and his voice was barely above a whisper. “She’s Yolanda’s mom. Yolanda needs her, umple as that

1:07 PM P P

Charles was quiet for a long moment before finally replying, “But she’s still Yolanda’s real mother.”

“So you’re just going to swallow your pride and let this go?” Jason said.

Charles said, “All I care about is what’s best for Yolanda.”

Still, even as he said that, Charles couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there was this nagging discomfort he just couldn’t ignore.

Jason let out a long sigh. He knew there was no point in trying to change Charles’s mind, so he didn’t say anything more.

After all the drama, Paul, the dean, called Teresa early the next morning. “Teresa, you can come back to work,” he said.

Teresa was still at the rural hospital, seeing patients, when she got the call. She felt pretty numb about it.

She wondered for a second who’d kicked her out in the first place, and who was pulling her back now. But she stopped herself before she could ask. It didn’t really matter anymore.

She had too much work to finish, so she didn’t head back to Riverdale that day.

That night, Monica called Teresa.

They were just chatting about everyday stuff until Betty came in to tell Monica it was time for her bath. That was when Teresa asked, “Monica, where’s your mom?”

Monica pouted, looking upset. “Mom got a call during dinner. It sounded like her endorsement was suddenly replaced. She didn’t even finish eating before she took off.”

Teresa felt a knot form in her stomach. “And what about your dad?”

Monica replied, “Dad hasn’t come home all day.”

Teresa’s mind flashed back to what Charles had said, and she felt a wave of unease wash over her.

Yvonne and Theodore were both total softies when it came to their daughters. Even if they had to work late, at least one of them would always be there for Monica.

But tonight, neither of them was home. Something was definitely off.

“Aunt Teresa, I’m going to go take a bath. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Monica said.

Teresa answered a couple of uneasy words, then hung up the phone,

She looked at her half–packed suitcase and knew she couldn’t wait any longer. So she reached out to Hector and rushed back to Riverdale that very night.