When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 86

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Teresa lowered her head, a storm of emotions churning inside her. It felt suffocating, unfair.

Her nose tingled, and she felt the sting of tears, but she fought them back.

Biting her lip, she held her composure.

She and Hector were both doctors. They knew their duty was to save lives.

She knew Hector. He would have operated on Jason’s mother even if they hadn’t come begging.

But the fact that they were all begging made her want to refuse.

Why should they get everything they wanted?

Why could they destroy someone’s life without a second thought?

Hector was the real victim here. Why wasn’t Jason Gould the one apologizing? Why were all these other people harassing her instead?

Even though Richard Logan, the one person in the Logan family who had always been kindest to her, was standing right in front

of her, she didn’t budge. “Richard, I understand what you’re asking, but they hurt Hector. Whether he forgives them or agrees to do this surgery is his decision. I won’t make it for him, and I won’t pressure him.”

Richard asked gently, “What if I were to mediate a reconciliation?”

Teresa froze for a moment, looking up at him. “I’m not the one who was wronged,” she said finally. “I have no right

to say.

He sighed, a note of resignation in his voice. “Alright, then. I won’t push you. But please, bring Yolanda to see me when you can. I’m getting old, Teresa. I don’t know how many more visits I have left. If you truly care about your old grandfather, come home often.”

Teresa just nodded, a quiet “okay” escaping her lips.

Richard then shifted to small talk, asking about her work, how Yolanda was doing in school, and if things between her and Charles were getting any better.

To every question, Teresa just said things were fine.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Richard said he had to leave.

Teresa walked him to the hospital entrance, watched his car pull away, and then went back inside.

When she returned to the hospital room, Teresa saw that Hector hadn’t touched the food on his table.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like the food?” Teresa asked.

Hector was propped up against the headboard. He smiled at her. “I figured you hadn’t eaten yet, so I waited for you.”

He wasn’t just figuring. He’d seen the two containers in the bag and knew she hadn’t had lunch.

Teresa sat down and ate with him.

She didn’t mention the surgery once, instead keeping the conversation light.

TIMOLT

She asked him about some medical concepts she was unsure about and some questions she had about her grad school applications. Hector answered patiently, all while carefully watching her. He could tell her mood was off.

“Are you upset?” he asked, concerned.

Teresa shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”

But Hector just flexed his hand slightly. “I think my hand is ready to hold a scalpel again,” he said with a smile.

He was clearly hinting at something, but Teresa pretended not to understand. “That’s great,” she said, forcing a smile. “You’ll be out of the hospital in a couple of days, and then you can-”

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11:19 AM PP.

Chapter 86

He cut her off, his expression suddenly serious. “I’m going to do the surgery for Jason’s mother.”

“What?” Teresa asked, stunned.

“I don’t want them bothering you,” he said, looking straight at her. “The most important thing for you right now is preparing for your exams. You shouldn’t be caught up in this mess.”

Her eyes immediately turned red. “What about what they did to you?” she asked. “Are you just going to let it go?”

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“Teresa, I’m a doctor. I’m just doing my job. Don’t blame yourself for this, and don’t think I’m being humiliated. Really, I’m fine.” He said he was fine, but only he knew the truth.

Charles looked at Teresa’s face, which was twisted in fury, but his own expression remained calm. “Like you, I can’t make decisions for other people.

His words infuriated her. “Then pressure him,” she shot back sarcastically, “You do it, get Serena to do it, have Andrew do it. Hell, call Richard and have him do it too.”

Charles ignored her outburst. Jason is a proud man. He won’t back down easily.”

“Is his pride more important?” she scoffed.

“I don’t know, he said quietly.

Teresa was fuming, her voice getting louder. “So if Hector refused to do the surgery, would Jason just let his mother die to protect his precious pride?”

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11:19 AM

Chapter 86

Charles was silent.

His silence only made her angrier.

She never should have tried talking to someone like him.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she finally said, “Forget it.”

She turned and pushed the stairwell door open to leave.

But just then, Charles spoke. “I’ll talk to Jason.”

But just then, Charles spoke. “I’ll talk to Jason.”

Two days later, Jason Gould issued a public apology on social media. That same afternoon, Hector Reed performed the craniotomy on Jason’s mother at Riverdale Hospital.

The surgery lasted a full seven hours and was a complete success.

The next day, Hector was reinstated at Riverdale Hospital.

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