When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Charles sat down at the dining table, and Yolanda tilted her head, asking, “Dad, you’re not working late at the office today?”

“Yeah,” Charles said.

Yolanda scooped up some pasta with her spoon, a bit of ketchup clinging to the corner of her mouth. She grinned, “That’s great. It’s been ages since we’ve all had dinner together.”

Charles grabbed a napkin and gently wiped the mess from her face, chuckling. “Take your time.”

Yolanda nodded and glanced at Teresa.

Teresa quietly ate her dinner, her face totally blank.

Yolanda remembered how Teresa used to light up with a warm smile whenever Charles came home.

But now, she didn’t even get up to say hi.

Back then, Teresa would take Charles’s coat and briefcase, set out his slippers, and remind him, “Go wash your hands. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Yolanda felt puzzled, but she just couldn’t make sense of it.

So she just let it go and stopped thinking about it.

Sharon came out with a plate of pasta and a fork, setting them in front of Charles. “Mr. Logan, Mrs. Logan made all these dishes herself today.”

Charles glanced at the spread. No doubt these were cooked by Teresa.

Even though they didn’t spend much time together under one roof, whenever he came home, he always ate his fill and slept soundly. Teresa was a great cook. She knew what he avoided and exactly what he liked.

So, he really enjoyed her cooking.

He wasn’t the only one. Every single person in the Logan Family loved her cooking.

It wasn’t for any other reason. She just always knew what everyone liked and what they couldn’t stand.

But tonight, something felt missing from the meal.

It wasn’t that Teresa’s cooking was off. It just didn’t include any of Charles’s favorite dishes.

There was broth, cocktail shrimp, salmon, and salad.

Four dishes were on the table, but Charles didn’t like any of them. However, Yolanda loved the broth and shrimp the most.

Charles hesitated, fork in hand, unsure which dish to go for.

Charles couldn’t help but think how much Teresa had changed.

Back then, Teresa would always pick out his favorite dishes and put them in his plate before he even dug in

Now, though, she just quietly ate her own food

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Charles glanced over at her, catching the shadow of her lashes as she looked down. Her rare quietness felt strange to him. He wasn’t used

None of the dishes were really his favorites, but Charles wasn’t a fussy eater. He still ended up full.

As he set down his fork, Teresa was having some broth. Charles looked at Yolanda and asked, “Yolanda, what did you learn at school today!

Yolanda finished her broth, wiped her mouth, and replied. “Today, Ms. Taylor taught us how to read, taught us addition and subtraction. and took us outside to draw autumn scenes.”

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11:21 AM P P

Chapter 91

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“Oh, and Ms. Taylor said there’s a hiking trip next week. She said parents should come along too,” she added.

Yolanda’s eyes lit up as she mentioned the hiking trip, glancing at Charles and then at Teresa.

Teresa heard Yolanda and instantly knew what she meant.

But Charles jumped in before Teresa could say anything. “Yolanda, let your mom go with you…”

Teresa hadn’t expected Charles to want her to go along.

Before he could finish, Teresa looked at Yolanda and interrupted him. “Yolanda, let your dad go with you. I have to work next week, and there’s a volunteer clinic I need to attend.”

Yolanda thought for a moment and then looked over at Charles with anticipation.

Meeting Yolanda’s expectant gaze, Charles just smiled and said, “If I’m free, I’ll go

with you.”

Yolanda wiggled with excitement. “Yay! If you come with me, you can carry me when I get tired!”

Charles reached out and gently pinched Yolanda’s cheek, giving her a soft smile. “Sure.”

Teresa didn’t really pay attention to what Yolanda was saying after that.

It wasn’t the first time, but Charles still couldn’t believe Teresa would really do so.

Once she’d finished washing up, Yolanda slipped into her pink pajamas, hugged her teddy bear, and looked up at Teresa. “Mom, can I go see Dad?” she asked.

Yolanda’s voice softened. “Oh no! Mrs. Yates needs to take good care of herself, or you’ll be worried all the time.”

As the door opened. Yolanda spun around, her eyes darting guiltily when she saw Teresa. She blinked and stammered, “Mom, I’m just in a meeting with Dad‘

She’d always taught Yolanda not to lie, and Yolanda had always promised she’d never lie

But now, the lies came so easily.

The rose that Teresa had tended so carefully still withered away.

Her heart ached, but she was done butting in.

‘Charles doesn’t care, so what’s the point of me caring?‘ Teresa thought.

“Okay,” Teresa replied.

Charles was sitting at his desk. Yolanda was perched on his lap, chatting with Naomi on a video call. As soon as Teresa walked in, Yolanda quickly put the phone down on the desk.

Meanwhile, Charles just kept working away at his computer.

Teresa didn’t say another word and went to look for her skincare products.

When she opened the dresser drawer, all her things were gone. In their place was a brand–new set of skincare products. It was a brand she’d never used before.

Her fingers stiffened on the drawer handle for a second. She gave a bitter smile, closed the drawer, and without another word, walked out of the room.

She’d forgotten that Joyacre Villa wasn’t her place anymore. Of course, Charles’s room wouldn’t have any trace of her left.

Seeing Teresa about to leave without saying anything, Yolanda hurriedly called out, “Mom, I’ll come back after I’m done having a meeting with Dad.”

Teresa heard her and simply responded, “Alright.”

She wanted to say, ‘Honestly, you don’t have to come back if you don’t want to.

Those words never made it past her lips.

As she left, Teresa quietly closed the door behind her. But soon, Yolanda’s voice floated out of the room, sounding a little worried. “Miss Naomi, were you crying?”

“No, Yolanda. I wasn’t crying. Don’t worry about me,” Naomi replied gently.

Yolanda piped up, her tone full of concern. “You have to get lots of rest, okay? And please tell Mrs. Yates to take care of herself. When she’s better, Dad and I will come visit her. She can make me something super yummy.”

Naomi’s voice wavered a little. “Yolanda, if you’re not picky, my mom will cook anything you want.”

Yolanda giggled. “I’m not picky at all. I love everything Mrs. Yates makes.”

Teresa stood at the doorway, catching every word between them. But each sentence from Yolanda cut deep, like a knife straight to her heart.

Back at the Sullivan Mansion, Yolanda was always so picky and hard to please. But with Naomi, she turned into the sweetest little angel. Teresa wanted so badly to cry, but no matter how hard she tried, the tears just wouldn’t come.

The daughter she’d nearly died bringing into this world was now here to claim the rest of her.

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