Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Teresa did not drive the car directly to Sullivan Mansion but chose to park it outside the neighborhood.
She had a personal reason for this; she thought that in the last few hundred meters, she could walk alone with her daughter.
Even if they didn’t speak, at least it would fulfill her wish.
After today, who knows when they will next walk together again.
Perhaps, in this lifetime, they may never walk side by side like this again.
As these thoughts crossed Teresa’s mind, tears began to gather in her eyes.
But the stretch of road that usually felt so long seemed to pass unusually quickly tonight.
It was as if, in less than ten minutes, they had reached their destination.
A few people were standing at the gate of the Sullivan Mansion. Teresa looked over and saw Linda, Yvonne, and Howard.
“Howard, look, it’s Teresa. She brought Yolanda here!” Linda said happily, her voice carrying a tinge of excitement as she spoke from a distance.
Teresa felt a pang in her heart but could only force herself to suppress her emotions.
Before they even got close, the whole family came rushing out to greet them.
“Yolanda, come here, give Grandpa a hug,” Howard extended his arms, his face full of kindness and anticipation.
However, to Yolanda, this was a stranger’s face. She did not like him and shrank behind Teresa.
Howard could tell Yolanda was scared. His eyes showed a clear sense of disappointment, but he still smiled and said, “No hugs then. Grandpa has prepared lots of delicious food for you. Come, let Grandpa show you.”
Linda also pulled back her hand, which was just about to reach Yolanda’s arm. The smile on her face froze, but she still managed to keep smiling.
Yvonne didn’t move forward but instead cast a complicated glance at Teresa.
When their eyes met, Yvonne saw the helplessness and sorrow in Teresa’s eyes.
As a mother herself, how could she not sense Yolanda’s rejection?
Yolanda didn’t move, so Teresa pulled her out from behind her. “Yolanda, this is Grandpa, this is Grandma, and this is Aunt. Say hello.”
Teresa introduced the family one by one to Yolanda, pointing to each person in front of her.
Yolanda snuggled close to Teresa, frowning as she looked at the two unfamiliar middle–aged people. She pouted but didn’t utter a word.
She had seen Yvonne before and knew she was Aunt, but that day, when Monica had yelled at her, she didn’t want to call her Aunt anymore
“Yolanda, say something!” Teresa became slightly annoyed when Yolanda remained silent for too long.
When Yolanda heard her mother’s stern tone, she immediately burst into tears, crying out, “Mom’s mad at me. I want to call Dad
Seeing the child cry, buth Howard and Linda felt heartbroken
“Teresa, she’s just a little child Why are you so harsh on her? Linda stepped forward, reproaching [Teresa.
Howard gave Defesa a glance. Though he didn’t speak, his eyes were filled with complex emotions–part pity, part anger.
bering that both of them were on tuer side. Yolanda felt a bus of pride.
It eased her see her mother Love Jus
If staying bene could make her mother wihappy de would be more than willing to do a
1:05 PM P P
Chapter 25
So, she reached out and took Linda’s hand. “Grandma, I want to eat lychees.”
Hearing “Grandma,” Linda’s heart melted. She bent down and picked Yolanda up, saying, “Alright, Grandma will take you to get some.”
She walked towards the Sullivan Mansion, but out of sight, Linda’s eyes quietly reddened.
Yolanda rested her head on Linda’s shoulder and looked back at Teresa, still standing in place, frozen. A proud smile spread across her
face.
Back at the Sullivan Mansion, the dining table had been set, with Theodore and Monica already seated.
The spread of delicious food made Monica’s mouth water, but since Grandpa and Grandma hadn’t arrived yet, she refrained from even sneaking a bite.
Monica thought good food should be shared with everyone.
And her mother had told her that the annoying little sister would be visiting.
No matter how much she disliked Yolanda, she had to show respect for the guest.
“Monica, your sister’s here. Come greet her,” Linda said, placing Yolanda beside Monica.
Monica felt disgruntled, but she still managed to suppress her feelings and said, “Sister.”
Yolanda turned to look at her and muttered, “Ugly fatty”
Monica heard it clearly. Gritting her teeth, she replied, “Spoiled brat.”
Just then, Howard entered and saw his two granddaughters whispering to each other. He assumed they were getting along well, and a smile spread across his face.
But only Teresa and Yvonne knew the two girls weren’t getting along.
As they sat down, Teresa didn’t have the chance to sit next to Yolanda. Instead, Monica pulled her to sit beside her, with Yolanda next to Monica and Linda on the other side.
Theodore sat with a cold expression. He didn’t speak, but Teresa knew him well enough. The fact that he stayed at the table and waited for them proved that he was concerned about her.
He just didn’t like showing it on his face.
At dinner, Linda picked up a shrimp and said, “Yolanda, try this river shrimp.”
Yolanda stared at the shrimp in her bowl and wrinkled her little nose in disdain. “Grandma, don’t you use serving chopsticks to pick up food?”
Linda was momentarily stunned, then awkwardly smiled and took Yolanda’s bowl, replacing it with a clean one. “Okay, Grandma will use serving chopsticks.”
Monica clenched her small fist on the table upon hearing Yolanda’s criticism,
She was about to burst out, but Teresa gently held her hand and whispered, “Monica, just eat”
Monica looked into her aunt’s tear–filled eyes. She felt terrible but obeyed without a word
With Yolanda around, the meal was anything but pleasant.
Even though Theodore was unhappy with his niece, he didn’t express it. Howard and Linda kept their heads lowered, silent. Only Yvonne kept encouraging Yolanda to eat more.
Yolanda, used to being spuddled continued picking at everything
Grandma, dons you eat caviar? It’s up fresh”
“And das &rimp is really dirty i quately has parasites”
23
1:05 PM P P .
Chapter 25
“These lychees aren’t fresh. They’re too sweet, like injected with sugar water.”
“This meat is so tough. It’s like chewing on a stone.”
Yolanda kept going, and Linda grew silent, her head lowered as tears started to fall.
When Howard saw her cry, he was about to speak, but Monica stood up abruptly.
Before she could say anything, Teresa also stood up. She couldn’t take it anymore. She walked behind Yolanda, and lifted her off the chair. “If you’re not hungry, I’ll take you upstairs.”
Her tone was stern, even harsh.
Yolanda resisted, but Teresa didn’t let go. She forcibly carried her upstairs.
“Bad Mommy, I’m going to tell Daddy you hit me, bullied me, and won’t let me eat! I’ll tell him to get rid of you!” Yolanda yelled.
Teresa hurried upstairs, slamming the bedroom door shut behind them.
Downstairs, the faint sound of Teresa’s scolding could be heard. “Yolanda, is this how I taught you to talk to elders? Do you think you can do whatever you want just because I don’t discipline you?”
In the living room, Linda’s quiet sobs gradually grew louder.
Monica came to her grandmother’s side, hugging her and comforting her. “Grandma, don’t be sad. Monica doesn’t think you’re bad. You’re the best grandma, and Monica loves you the most.”
As she spoke, she wiped away Linda’s tears.
Linda’s heart ached even more, and her tears fell faster.
Meanwhile, Theodore slammed his chopsticks on the table and stood up, looking like he was about to march upstairs to teach Yolanda a
lesson.
Yvonne, sensing the fire building inside him, grabbed his arm and looked up at him. “Enough, Teresa knows how to handle this herself. She has it under control.”