Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
“Charles.”
Teresa had barely started when Naomi’s voice rolled right over hers.
Charles glanced back. “What’s up?”
C
Naomi strolled over, shot Teresa a quick once–over, then tossed him the message, “Yolanda wants you to blow–dry her hair–pronto.”
“On it,” Charles said.
“Then hustle–she’s almost out of the shower.”
Naomi spun toward the bedroom.
“Got it.”
Charles turned back to Teresa, but whatever she’d started to say had already slipped his mind.
He suddenly added, “Fifteenth’s coming–I’ll be home on time.”
Two months running, Teresa had skipped the scheduled night at Brocade Villa. Charles was quietly simmering.
Second baby sooner rather than later–yet her belly stayed flat. One more missed month and he’d book the IVF clinic.
Teresa opened her mouth to tell him she was done with another baby, but he bulldozed on. “You still living at the villa, or…?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she cut in, calm and sharp, “Charles, I’m not having another child with you.”
Bottom line: not with him, period.
After the divorce she’d remarry, grow old alone–whatever came next could wait.
Charles blinked, then shrugged, cool as frost. “Fine. No second kid. You tell Mom yourself.”
Teresa lifted an eyebrow. “My body, my rules. If Ms. Lockwood doesn’t like it, let her call the cops.”
Charles’s brow twitched–he’d never seen Teresa draw blood before.
They’d made Yolanda in one try, then nothing but sweatpants and midnight bottles.
When “second–baby talks” started, they’d slid back into a calendar ritual: fifteenth of every month, candlelight, extra dishes. Teresa used to be docile. But now she was a bomb.
Before, she would prepare different meals everyday. Even if Charles didn’t return, she would still enjoy it.
Only she’d skipped the main course–Charles wanted a charming body, not the sauce.
After a prolonged eye contact, his soft laugh said everything and nothing. Teresa didn’t bother decoding.
Perhaps it held disdain. Perhaps he thought she was overestimating herself. Or maybe he simply saw her as throwing a tantrum…
Nothing matters anymore.
She simply decided. fifteenths are over.
And the secret of the second pregnancy would stay hers forever
Upstairs Naum called. Charles. hau timel
“Coining Charles gave Teresa cupe last kak then took the stairs two at
Terran slayed spied withanas pieder bad
Teresa shayad pun ut bor dage. We needed
Logan, shall I make up the guest room
12
1:05 PM P P.
Chapter 27
The bedroom where she’d rocked Yolanda for hundreds of nights, now belonged to Charles–and to Naomi.
She left Joyacre Villa, slid behind the wheel, and cried the whole drive home.
Tears were cheap therapy, bottling them up cost more.
When her eyes finally ran dry, she steered to Sullivan Mansion, the only place to go. When she arrived, it’s past midnight.
A shadow paced the gate–Theodore.
He froze when the headlights hit him, waiting in silence until Teresa stepped out.
Making sure everything’s OK with Teresa, Theodore was about to enter.
“Big brother,” she suddenly whispered.
“What now?” he growled, half–scolding, half–scared.
Teresa dove into his arms, sobbing. “You’re all I’ve got–please don’t give me up.”
His heart cracked. He patted her back with empathy and pity, fingers ruffling her soft hair. “Took you long enough to crash and learn.”
She wiped tears and snot on his laundry–fresh pajamas. Her sobs came in ragged, hiccuping bursts. “I’m an idiot–had to hit rock
bottom.”
He hushed her. “What isn’t yours will never be yours. Chasing it only hurts.”
“I just worry about Mom and Dad,” she sniffled.
“I’ll talk to them,” he promised, brushing her tears with his thumb.
Teresa nodded, but couldn’t help crying.
“Ugly cry–quit it.” A shaky smile finally surfaced.
Under the mansion’s ancient tree, Yvonne and little Monica watched.
Monica sprinted over, arms wide. “Aunt Teresa, I’ll grow up and take care of you–like your daughter!”
Teresa pinched Monica’s cheek. “Auntie’s got her own money. I’ll save for your dowry instead.”
Monica giggled and turned to Yvonne, who had moved to Theodore’s side. “Mommy, I want you and Auntie both to come to my Thanksgiving show! Teacher says the best performers get gold stars and get to host the opening ceremony next semester!”
Yvonne leaned against Theodore, her smile warm as she replied, “Well then, you’ll have to ask your aunt if she agrees,”
Monica’s eyes sparkled. Teresa rubbed noses with her. “Orders accepted, Captain.”
Monica squealed, “We’ll win the stars together!” She spun in circles, and bolted inside, victory dance trailing behind her.
Yvonne smiled at Teresa. “Monica’s been planning this for weeks. She’s absolutely thrilled you agreed to go.”
“Mm,” Teresa replied softly. “As long as Monica’s happy, I’m glad to go with her.”
Yvonne could read the storm behind Teresa’s smile and figured her kid drama of Yolanda was the last straw, so she let the child talk drop
Come home. Teresa Whatever it is, the family’s got your back.”
Teresa smiled. “1 know.”
Next morning Teresa chucked in early at the hospital swapped shifts, and took the pediatric–surgery window–usually a quiet slot
Nine o’clock sharp tu walked an adult patired–hoodie, cap, mask, wrapped up like a nuumy.
No appointment on the roep dress uprawd her mouth to redirect him, but the stranger yanked the mask dow
The lace underneath luster lúr a cold stap and she shot tubs feet,
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1:05 PM P