When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

The car window was half open, and a cool breeze drifted in. Combined with the buzz from the beer, Teresa felt her head start to spin.

She realized that no matter how much she thought about what Charles had said, it was all just empty talk. So, she decided not to dwell on it anymore, leaned back, closed her eyes, and pretended to nap.

The effect of the beer was strong, and it made her frown and even cough slightly.

Charles heard her cough and quickly glanced at her. Seeing she wasn’t feeling well, he quietly rolled up the window.

Teresa heard the window roll up and opened her eyes. In the reflection on the glass, she saw Charles’s face. He was focused on driving, his profile strikingly handsome and composed, just as she had always liked.

Even now, seeing him made her heart skip a beat, but it felt different than before.

When the car stopped at a red light, Charles looked over at her again. She was sitting sideways, and her exposed arm was slightly reddened from the cold.

He unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and placed his jacket over her legs.

Teresa glanced at his jacket, declined his offer, and said. “Thanks, but I’m not cold.” Then, she nudged the jacket off her lap.

The light turned green, and Charles didn’t say anything or take back his jacket.

Teresa saw that he wasn’t going to take it back, so she folded the jacket and placed it aside. She left it alone for the rest of the ride.

Charles noticed her unusual behavior but kept his thoughts to himself. Back then, just holding his jacket would’ve made her day. But now, it seemed she no longer cared about anything related to him.

Soon, the car arrived at Logan Manor. Serena had known Charles went out to find Andrew, so she had been waiting anxiously by the door.

When the car stopped, a smile broke across her face as she came forward to greet them. Serena opened the back door and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Andrew sitting there, perfectly fine.

She gave Andrew a light smack on the head. “Getting bold, huh? Now you’re even ignoring our calls.”

Andrew swatted her hand away, annoyed. “Don’t mess up my hair.”

Serena rolled her eyes and was about to retort when she noticed the red marks on Andrew’s face. “Andrew, what happened to your face?” she asked, reaching out to touch it.

Andrew swatted her hand away. “Nothing,” he muttered, then walked toward Logan Manor without bothering to look back.

Serena was confused but helplessly turned her gaze toward Charles. Knowing his temper, she thought he might have had a hand in it. And honestly, Andrew probably deserved it.

But Charles didn’t bother explaining. He simply said to Serena, “Go inside and keep an eye on him. Don’t let him sneak out again.”

Serena didn’t push her luck and just nodded quickly. “Got it,” she said.

After the two of them went inside, Teresa finally got out of the car. The beer had hit her quickly, but the buzz was already

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fading, and she felt much clearer-headed.

She walked toward Logan Manor without looking to the side, completely unaware that Charles had reached out to steady

her.

Charles, realizing she didn’t need help, retracted his hand and let out a cold chuckle.

Teresa headed straight for their room, while Charles went to check on Andrew.

By the time he returned to the bedroom, all he saw on the table was a tissue with blood on it. He was puzzled, glancing around before noticing the bathroom light was on. He walked over and, without knocking, opened the bathroom door.

Steam swirled in the bathroom, and Teresa stood in front of the vanity, wrapped in a towel. Her bare shoulders and everything below her knees were visible.

Her figure was something else, the kind that made even other women take a second look.

At that moment, she was bent over, rubbing lotion on her skin, and the towel barely covered her chest. Charles caught sight of her and was stunned for a second.

Teresa saw Charles in the mirror, straightened up, and asked, “Do you need something?” Her voice was icy-gone was the old warmth and softness.

Charles didn’t spot any injuries, but he still asked, “I saw a bloody tissue on the table. Did you get hurt?”

“It’s nothing serious. I already handled it,” Teresa replied. She had scratched her finger on Andrew’s earring when she hit him. The wound wasn’t deep, but it had bled quite a bit.

Charles couldn’t help but ask, “Should we go to the hospital?”

Teresa frowned, turning to look at him. “You really don’t have to worry about me like this.”

His concern felt a bit too much, almost insincere. If they weren’t at Logan Manor, Teresa might have believed he truly cared about her. But here, at Logan Manor, whatever he said or did didn’t hold much meaning.

Charles just looked at her, not saying a word.

Teresa, not caring what he was thinking, finished her skincare routine and said, “I need to ask you something.”

She wanted to know his thoughts on their divorce, which he had been delaying for too long. She hoped to discuss a way to part amicably.

But before Charles could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen. Naomi was calling.

Teresa saw his hesitation and smiled, “You should answer it.”

Charles answered the call just before it could end, walking into the living room as he did.

Teresa stood behind him, overhearing Yolanda’s voice on the other end. “Dad, look! This is the little villa Miss Naomi and I drew together.”

Charles stared at the screen, studying the picture in the video. He noticed there were three people in the drawing and asked, “Yolanda, who’s in your picture?”

Yolanda’s voice was full of excitement. “I drew you, Miss Naomi, and me. We’re all enjoying the sunshine together.”

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Charles smiled warmly. “You did a great job.”

Yolanda asked, “Dad, was Mr. Richard happy today?”

Charles replied, “Yeah, he was happy.”

“Dad, I’ll go see him next time. Miss Naomi wants to go on vacation, so I want to go with her,” Yolanda said.

Charles replied softly, “Okay.”

Charles was on the phone in the living room, while Teresa was still in the bathroom, finishing up with her skincare routine.

She hadn’t stepped out yet because she wanted to hear what Yolanda would say to Charles-whether Yolanda would mention

her at all.

Unexpectedly, she learned the reason Yolanda hadn’t returned to Logan Manor. On such an important occasion as Richard’s birthday, Yolanda had gone on vacation with Naomi instead.

If Richard found out, he’d probably be furious.

Yolanda’s voice came through again. “Dad, you didn’t tell Mr. Richard, did you? If he finds out I went on vacation instead of being there for his birthday, he’ll be so upset.”

Charles replied calmly, “I covered for you. I told them you went to visit your grandmother.”

Yolanda sounded relieved. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.”

“Are you going to bed soon?” Charles asked warmly. Though he hadn’t been a great husband, he really was a good father.

Teresa, still in the bathroom, had overheard everything. Hearing Charles cover for Yolanda using Teresa’s mother as an excuse made her feel uneasy. A part of her felt more resentful toward him.