When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

3

C

Just as Teresa was leading Monica out of the ward door, she bumped into Roselyn. Still fuming about Yolanda’s allergy and the fact Teresa hadn’t made dinner, Roselyn didn’t even look up before yelling, “Watch where you’re going!”

Roselyn didn’t realize it was Teresa until after her outburst. This made her even angrier, but before she could say more, Teresa stepped around her and left with Monica. Yvonne trailed behind, giving Roselyn just a quick greeting nod as she passed.

Roselyn stood frozen for a moment before coming to her senses. She spun around to yell at Teresa, but they were already halfway down the hall. “Teresa,” she shouted, rushing forward a few steps. “You’re leaving your daughter again? What kind of mother does that?”

Teresa heard the words but kept walking. If she were a bad mother, then there would be no good ones left. Memories of raising Yolanda flooded her mind. Despite all those sleepless nights and all that love given, the Logans still acted like she had done nothing at all.

After shouting a few more useless curses, Roselyn finally gave up and went back inside the ward. She found Charles holding Yolanda and complained, “I thought you had work to do? Why didn’t you make Teresa stay here with Yolanda?”

Charles gently settled Yolanda back into bed before replying, “Yolanda comes first. Work can wait until tomorrow.”

Roselyn dropped off the grilled cheese sandwich she had brought, pulling it out of the to–go bag while complaining, “You never put Teresa in her place. Can’t even take care of her own kid, can’t be bothered with dinner. She’s getting too big for her boots.”

Charles took the grilled cheese sandwich, tearing off a corner to check the temperature. “It’s fine. She’ll get over it in a couple days.” He figured Teresa was upset, probably about him bringing Naomi back to Joyacre Villa. Though he couldn’t be certain.

Charles tore off another bite of the grilled cheese sandwich, feeding Yolanda before suddenly pausing. Then he thrust the remaining sandwich at Roselyn. “Mom, take care of Yolanda for me. I need to find Teresa.”

He realized these next few days fell right in Teresa’s fertile period. His plan was simple. Get her pregnant now and he wouldn’t need to keep making these monthly visits.

Roselyn took the sandwich and agreed without a second thought, assuming he was just going to give Teresa

talking-

-to.

Outside the hospital, Teresa stood holding Monica’s hand. Yvonne could see how much Roselyn’s words had hurt Teresa. to say something comforting, but Monica spoke up first.

She was going

“Sorry, Aunt Teresa,” Monica said quietly, looking up with guilty eyes. “I shouldn’t have said bad things about Yolanda.” She really meant it. After ali, Yolanda was Teresa’s daughter, and her words must have stung.

Teresa looked at her niece with mixed feelings. She was moved by Monica’s kindness but sad about Yolanda’s behavior. She knelt down to Monica’s level and softly brushed her hair. “You’ve done nothing wrong, sweetheart. Don’t apologize. If anyone should say sorry, it’s ine for spoiling Yolanda,

Monica threw her arms around Teresa’s neck, nuzzling her cheek. “Don’t be sad, Aunt Teresa. I’ll always stay with you.”

When Teresa stood up, Yvonne looked at her with a soft smile that clearly showed she had noticed how much Teresa had changed. Teresa gave a small, bitter laugh. “Took me long enough to figure things out.” Yvonne gave her shoulder a comforting pat.

As Teresa was stepping into the taxi, a familiar voice calling her name sliced through the noise around her. That cold, emotionless tone could only belong to Charles.

She turned to face him. The love that once warmed her gaze when she saw him had disappeared. Now her eyes held only the detached coolness reserved for strangers.

Charles moved closer, his voice flat. “Let’s have dinner together.” Teresa stiffened. Five years married, and he had never once suggested this. She knew better than to think he actually cared. Those divorce papers must have gotten his attention. This wasn’t about romance. It was just business.

With that thought, Teresa agreed. After telling Yvonne and Monica to go ahead without her, she got into Charles’s car without a word. The silence between them grew heavy and oppressive. Teresa stared out the window at the passing streets, too lost in thought to realize they were heading to Brocade Villa.

When the familiar gates of Brocade Villa came into view, Teresa snapped out of her thoughts. But she didn’t bother asking about dinner.

Charles stepped out of the car and walked straight inside without a word. Teresa followed silently. When they reached the bedroom upstairs, he started taking off his jacket.

Teresa quickly turned away, startled. Noticing her reaction, Charles stopped and let out a cold laugh. “What? You thought we were actually having dinner here?”

Teresa understood instantly. This was about getting her pregnant again. That bed had never been for anything but making babies in their marriage. She had no plans to cooperate. “I thought we came to sign the papers,” she said flatly.

Seeing Charles’s confused look, Teresa knew instantly he hadn’t even looked at the divorce papers yet. A bitter smile crossed her face. “They’re in the study. Go see for yourself.”

Charles had been unbuttoning his shirt. At Teresa’s words, he slowly buttoned it back up. For once, he showed uncharacteristic patience to her.

As Charles walked out toward the study, Teresa’s phone buzzed. She looked down to see “Wendy Stone” displaying on the screen. That was her closest friend. Picking up immediately, she heard loud bar noises and Wendy’s drink–slurred voice, “Teresa, I drank too much, can you come get me?”

Concerned about Wendy, Teresa agreed at once. “Send me the address. I’ll come right away.” The moment the location notification came through, she rushed downstairs, barely having time to let Charles know.

Barbara came out of the staff room just as Teresa was hurrying down the stairs. “Barbara,” Teresa called back without stopping, “tell Charles to call me if he has problems with the papers.”

Confused, Barbara opened her mouth to ask further questions, but Teresa was already gone, swallowed by the darkness outside.

2/2