Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Charles held Yolanda steady, keeping her from slipping. As his gaze followed where she pointed, he spotted Teresa and Hector he’d seen earlier right there in the dim light.
They were sitting in the VIP seats, the very spot Charles and Yolanda always sat when he’d take her to Naomi’s concerts.
‘So it was Hector who bought that exact spot. Charles thought.
At that moment, leaning in close to Teresa’s ear to the sound of the audience’s applause, Hector said something that brought a small smile to her lips.
Charles saw it all clearly from where he stood, not far away.
Teresa rarely smiled like that around Charles. Usually, it was just her trying to please him.
This was the first time Charles had seen Teresa give that kind of smile to someone else. He suspected there might be more and Hector than met the eye, but he didn’t dwell on it.
between
her
Charles looked away, glancing down at Yolanda who was waiting for his answer, her little head tilted up. latly, “Yeah, that’s your mom.”
He gave a small smile
and said
Getting the confirmation, Yolanda grew anxious. “But Mom married Daddy, didn’t she? Why is she getting so close with another man?” She pressed, her voice tight. “Look how they’re talking. It’s like they’re about to kiss.”
Charles stayed quiet. His ey
something.
flickered back toward Teresa. She and Hector seemed deep in conversation, talking nonstop about
He didn’t know how to answer Yolanda’s question. Instead, he just stroked her hair and said, “Focus on the concert. Miss Naomi’s got just one piece left.”
Yolanda wasn’t happy about it, but
since Charles said so, she gave in with a sigh. “Okay.“”
Back in the VIP seats, as applause filled the hall, Hector glanced over and saw Teresa seemed lost in thought. He leaned in closer. “Feeling off?” he asked quietly.
Teresa managed a weak smile and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
Not convinced, Hector gently placed his fingers on her wrist. Her pulse felt steady, but her expression still looked off.
Worried he might overthink it, Teresa whispered, “Really, I’m fine. Don’t read too much into it.”
Hector’s gaze held a stubborn determination. He didn’t back down, silently insisting Teresa explain.
Teresa gave in, lowering her voice. “Lila Yates, the piano master soaking up all that praise, is Naomi you met earlier
Naomi’s stage narne was Lila Yates, which Teresa had quietly uncovered from her video profiles,
”
Hector raised an eyebrow, surprised. The pianist wore a veil covering her face except her eyes, but Teresa had recognized her.
When Hector looked back at the stage, there was a touch more appreciation in his gaze.
Unaware Naomi was the other woman in Teresa’s marriage, he simply saw a talented artist shining under the spotlight.
Hector leaned closer, admiration clear in his voice. “Naomi studied medicine back then, even got into grad school focusing on surgery. But who knew she’d have this kind of talent beyond medicine?”
He shook his head slightly. “She’s got serious fame too. Friends who’ve caught her concerts rave about her skills. Now I get why.”
Naomi always wore a veil at her concerts. She totally pulled off that mysterious aura. People came for her talent, for her looks, or just to see that elegant figure.
In a word, Naomi was the whole package.
Teresa felt a chill run through Teresa as Hector spoke. Deep down, she knew he wasn’t wrong.
Teresa kept her smile in place, her voice calm. “She’s dazzling.” she said, and she meant it.
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Chapter 16
Of course Naomi’s exceptional. She’s the woman Charles chose.‘ Teresa thought.
Hector paused, caught off guard. “You shine even brighter than she does.” he countered.
Teresa heard the misunderstanding that Hector thought she was comparing herself.
But Teresa hadn’t been. She’d just spoken the truth.
Teresa didn’t explain. Instead, she offered a quiet smile. “Thank you for saying that. But I know where I stand.”
Hector was taken aback. Teresa had changed so much, which struck him. The bright, driven girl he once knew now carried real insecurity in her eyes.
Back in med school, Teresa had top grades, a guaranteed grad spot and invitations to major research projects. But she’d chosen marriage instead.
Hector’s gaze drifted back to the stage. Naomi was radiant–her white gown sweeping the floor, her elegant silhouette bathed in adoration. Yet after a long moment of silence, he turned back
“Step away from the spotlight, and we’re all just ordinary.” Hect
5ll be
Teresa didn’t say more. She just offered a soft smile.
Teresa.
said quietly.
She knew regret well. Had she stuck with medicine, she’d have made her mark by now. But fate would not restart forever.
As the concert ended, Naomi bowed deeply to the roaring crowd. Thunderous applause shook the building. Even Teresa found herself clapping along.
neben de hand that Charles had been the real mistake.
Teresa probably resented Naomi. But she knew clearly
With that understanding came release. Teresa had let go. Some things just worked out the way they should.
As Naomi straightened up, her eyes Hector were sitting there.
my
instinctively swept toward the VIP seats where Charles and Yolanda always sat. But today Teresa and
A momentary shock flickered across Naomi’s face. But then she quickly found Charles and Yolanda nearby. She offered them a warm smile and gestured for them to meet backstage.
As the crowd thinned out, Teresa and Hector finally stood to leave.
Just then, Yolanda dashed toward the stage with open arms. “Miss Naomi.”
Her face shone with admiration and pride. Anyone could see she viewed Naomi as something to brag about
ར་
But when it came to her own mom, she honestly couldn’t think of anything special to share.
at
school.
When I grow up, I wanna be pretty just like you.”
Yolanda dashed onto the stage and darted behind the curtain, throwing her arms around Naomi. “Miss Naomi, you‘
beautiful
Naomi hugged her back, smoothing her hair. “With such a sweet talker like you, you’ll grow up even prettier than
The words hit Teresa like a physical blow. She froze in place, her legs refusing to move.
Hector noticed something was off. He stepped in front of Teresa, and only then saw the tears welling in her eyes. Startled, he bent slightly. “What’s wrong?” he asked gently.
Teresa finally broke. Teary–eyed, she looked at Hector and blurted out, “That’s my daughter.”
Hector was stunned. He turned toward the stage. There was Naomi, still in her gown, kneeling as she chatted happily with Yolanda. It looked like such a warm picture–like they were mother and daughter for real.
“And the man this morning was….” Hector started slowly.
Teresa bit her lip. “My husband.” she answered, the words heavy on her tongue.
Hector was even more stunned, but he lowered his head. “I’m sorry.”
It never crossed his mind that the man and child he saw at the restaurant were Teresa’s own husband and daughter.
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They’d been so close, yet neither had acknowledged Teresa, not even the little girl called out to her mother.
‘She must have been deeply unhappy. Hector realized. Hurt enough that even someone as patient as Teresa would ask for a divorce. If she had reached that point, it could only mean she had given up all hope.
Teresa took a moment to steady herself. Then she managed a small smile. “None of that matters now. I respect their choice.”