Teresa looked down at her daughter running to her, and her heart softened. But with her hands full of grocery bags, she could only coo, “Alright, sweetie. Mommy’s going to make you something to eat.”
Even though Yolanda had hurt her more than once, the bond between mother and daughter was impossible to erase.
Yolanda straightened up and eagerly reached for the bags. “Let me help you, Mommy.”
The bags were a bit heavy, and Teresa didn’t have the heart to let her. “Go on and play. I’ve got it.”
But Yolanda insisted, clinging to a bag of fruit. “My teacher said we should help our parents with chores at home. I don’t want you to be so tired.”
Hearing this, Teresa’s brow furrowed slightly.
If the old Yolanda had said this, she would have been thrilled. She would have stroked her daughter’s cheek and told her how grown–up she was.
But now, Teresa just felt a sense of unreality, as if none of it was actually happening.
After a moment’s hesitation, Yolanda took one bag from her, and Sharon Miller took the rest.
Yolanda didn’t leave while Teresa was in the kitchen kneading dough.
And as Teresa prepared the filling, Yolanda stood beside her, helping out.
It must be something her teacher said, Teresa thought. “They’re teaching the kids to be good to their parents, and it actually sank in. If that was the case, she felt a little gratified.
Maybe when Yolanda grew up, she would understand that Naomi wasn’t as wonderful as she imagined.
With these thoughts, Teresa’s mood improved considerably as she started to shape the small pies.
Yolanda saw the smile on her lips and knew she was in a good mood.
After a moment’s hesitation, she finally worked up the nerve to ask, “Mommy, can I ask you for a favor?”
Teresa’s hands paused. She turned to look at Yolanda, the smile instantly vanishing from her face.
“What is it?” she asked
Yolanda sensed her mother’s displeasure but steeled herself and continued, “Mr Gould’s mom is sick. I heard Daddy say that only Mr. Reed can do the surgery Mr. Gould has been so worried, he hasn’t slept for days. You and Mr. Reed are good friends. If you ask him to help, I know he won’t refuse.”
At her daughter’s words, Teresa froze
She ulted her head back, staring at the ceiling, and a dry laugh escaped her lips as tears welled in her eyes.
In that instant, she understood everything
Why Yolanda had insisted she come to Joyacre Villa, why she had been so helpful.
It had all been a prelude. Her daughter was trying to get her to help Jason Gould.
She’d even forced herself to call Hector Mr. Reed just to plead his case.
Seeing that her mother hadn’t sand anything for a while, Yolanda reached out and tugged on her pinky finger. “Mommy?”
After a long moment, Teresa finally looked down at her daughter. “Yolanda, you said it yourself. Anyone Mr. Gould dislikes can’t be a good person: You don’t have to force yourself to call him Mr. Reed”
It took Yolanda a moment to process this and remember what Teresa had told her that day.
So the person Mr. Gould hated was the very doctor who could save his mother.
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11:19 AM P P.
Chapter 84
For a moment, Yolanda was at a loss for words.
But even so, she pleaded, “Mommy, please, just do it for me.”
Teresa refused. “I can’t help.”
“Mommy?” Yolanda drew out the word in a wheedling tone.
But Teresa’s voice remained cold. “I said, I can’t help.”
Yolanda’s gaze fell. “Okay, then.”
Teresa didn’t even want to look at her. “Move,” she said flatly.
Naomi didn’t budge. Ms. Sullivan. I’m begging you Jason is your friend, too, isn’t he?” she insisted.
Teresa’s dark eyes fixed on Naomi, and she snapped, “I said, move”
Naomi spread her arins, blocking the way. “I won’t.”
Teresa rolled her eyes and simply shouldered past her, knocking Naomi aside.
The path was clear, but as Naomi stumbled back a couple of steps, she seemed to lose her footing on the gravel path.
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11:19 AM P P .
Chapter 84
She fell to the ground, her palm landing on a sharp stone. Blood began to seep from the cut,
Teresa froze for a second, slightly startled.
Charles’s reaction, however, was immense. He immediately knelt, taking Naomi’s hand. Seeing the blood, he rushed to wipe it away with the sleeve of his own white shirt.
Teresa had been married to Charles for five years; she knew his habits inside and out. He was a notorious germaphobe.
You’ll abandon your own principles when you love someone, won’t you?‘
Teresa’s eyes instantly reddened.
So this was what Charles’s devotion looked like when it was on display.
It was a small thing, but wasn’t love always revealed in the smallest details?
But right now, he showed no revulsion toward the bright red blood, not even hesitating to stain his expensive shirt.
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