When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 56

Teresa and Charles sat in silence, an eerie stillness spreading through the private room.

But since it was so rare to get a moment alone with him, Teresa decided to seize the chance and speak up. “Charles, can we talk?”

She wasn’t trying to act humble; she just wanted to see if Charles was even interested in having a conversation. If he wasn’t, she didn’t want to waste any more of her time.

Charles glanced at Teresa, his look nonchalant and unruffled. After thinking for a moment, he asked, “What do you want to talk about?” Teresa got straight to the point. “Did you sabotage Theodore and Yvonne at work?”

Charles admitted without hesitation, “Yeah, that was me.”

Teresa had known deep down that this was the answer, but hearing Charles say it out loud still made her heart ache.

With a stubborn look, Teresa asked, “Why?”

Charles turned his face away, clearly unwilling to explain. “Just because,” he said.

Teresa couldn’t make sense of what Charles was thinking. Suppressing her anger, she asked, “Exactly what do you want me to do?” Charles stayed silent for a while. After what felt like ages, he finally looked at Teresa and said, “Yolanda needs you.”

He’d already told her this the last time he came all the way out to the town that Yolanda wanted to eat her cooking.

It suddenly clicked for Teresa, and she slowly started piecing together everything that had happened lately.

“So, if I treat Yolanda well, you’ll leave my family alone?” she asked.

Charles fixed his gaze on her. “Yes.”

Teresa was momentarily stunned by how blunt his answer was. After a brief pause, she said, “Got it.”

Charles responded with a quiet, “Okay.”

Even though the conversation had come this far, Teresa still couldn’t relax. “So, when will you lift the pressure on Theodore and Yvonne?” she asked.

Charles replied, “That depends on how you behave.”

At that moment, Teresa finally understood that Charles would always be the one holding all the cards. But she had no other choice. With resignation, she reluctantly agreed.

At this point, there wasn’t much left to say, but Teresa still had one question weighing on her mind. “Why have you been avoiding me since I got back from the town? Why wouldn’t you even give me a chance to talk to you about all this?”

Charles replied in a flat tone, “No reason.”

He couldn’t possibly tell Teresa that every time he saw her, he was reminded of her and Troy.

Honestly, the answers didn’t really matter anymore. When Charles said there was no reason, Teresa didn’t care much anymore.

She looked him in the eye and said seriously, “I’m Yolanda’s mom. I’ll do what I have to as her mother, but that’s it.”

Her tone was calin, without the usual joy she had whenever she mentioned Yolanda. With that, Teresa stood up and headed toward the doar of the private room.

Charles watched Teresa’s back as she walked away, thinking to himself that she’d really changed he just couldn’t say exactly how

As Teresa opened the door. Troy was slouched against the doorframe, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. He swept a cool glance at Jason and Finn standing not far away, his whole vibe screaming ‘one man against the world‘

She had no clue what had gone down, but Jason and Finn both looked seriously pissed

No douba about it while she and Charles were talking inside, there’d been a pretty intense standen happening ourakde.

Chapter 56

Judging by where everyone was standing, Troy was clearly the winner here.

Back in the day, Teresa used to suck up to Jason and Finn, always trying to please them. But now, she was totally over them.

Seeing Troy get under their skin secretly made her feel a little smug.

Without even glancing at Jason and Finn, Teresa turned to Troy and said, “Mr. Hamilton, let’s go.”

Hearing that, Troy stepped forward and slipped his arm around Teresa’s waist. He leaned in, taking in the sweet scent of her shampo so intoxicating it almost made him lose himself for a moment.

Jason was never one to hold back–when his temper flared, he had to let it out. He glared at Troy and snapped, “Shameless.”

He didn’t bother to lower his voice, so Troy heard him loud and clear. Instead of getting angry, Troy just laughed out loud, making it even more obvious he was provoking them.

Teresa stayed silent, refusing to rise to the bait.

Jason thought Teresa’s silence meant she was rattled. Just as he was about to say something else, Troy stepped forward, blocking Teresa and giving Jason a mischievous grin. “Mr. Gould, you seem to know me inside out. What, am I one of your many roses, too?”

Jason shot Troy a look of disdain. “Who was talking to you?”

Troy arched an eyebrow, his voice full of playful mockery. “What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve?”

Jason’s expression turned icy. “Troy, enough,” he snapped.

Troy scratched his ear and shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m listening. Why are you yelling? What if you scare my baby?”

Jason’s face flushed with anger. He thought he was shameless enough, but Troy took it to a whole new level.

Seeing Jason’s frustration, Troy’s grin widened. “You’re not happy, right?”

Before Jason could get a word in, Troy cut him off with a smirk. “That’s perfect. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you pissed off.

Troy let out a loud laugh, his arm slung around Teresa’s waist as they swaggered off like they owned the place.

Not long after, Charles stepped out of the private room.

Japon spotted him and, fuming, complained, “Troy is so damn arrogant that if makes me want to deck him.”

Charles looked off into the distance, his eyes complicated, but his voice stayed calm. “He’s cared the right to act that way.”

Jason complained, still pissed. “But Charles, he’s actually laying a finger on your wife.”

Charles didn’t care at all. his vouce flat. “Let him, if that’s what he wants”

Jason wanted to say more, but Charles had already walked off. It was obvious he had zero interest in continuing the conversation

At that moment, I’m stepped up and gave Jayon a reassuring pat on the shoulder “Charles knows exactly what he’s doing, man. Don’t

1:08 PM P P ·

Chapter 56

let it get to you. He never really cared about Teresa anyway. Maybe this is for the best.”

Jason frowned, his brows knitting together. “But Yolanda really likes her.”

Finn let out a soft sigh. “She’s still Yolanda’s mom, after all.”

Jason grumbled, his voice full of disdain, “She’s not fit to be a mom. As far as I’m concerned, Naomi is the only one who should be Yolanda’s mother, and the only one who belongs by Charles’s side.”

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