Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Teresa hadn’t been back to her parents‘ place in six months. And now the air in the room felt thick with unspoken tension. The dining table was overflowing with dishes, nearly all of which were Teresa’s favorites.
When Teresa first decided to marry Charles, her whole family were against it. But she stood her ground, threatening to walk away from them all if they didn’t agree. In the end, they gave in, though not happily. Yet after the wedding, Charles never bothered to visit her family with her, not even once.
Teresa’s father Howard Sullivan sat stone–faced, while her mother Linda Cooper dabbed at her red–rimmed eyes. Theodore’s displeasure was equally evident. Yvonne attempted to ease the tension but struggled to find the right words. Monica watched everyone’s reactions discreetly.
Just as Teresa rose to apologize to her family, Theodore cut in with biting sarcasm, “Shouldn’t you be preparing for Zack Logan’s birthday tomorrow? What brings you back here instead of waiting on his family?”
Of avaiting
Every word was laced with thorns, yet Teresa merely offered a faint smile before responding evenly, “Theodore, from now on, I’ll only celebrate Dad’s birthday.”
Theodore was taken aback. Though concern flickered in his heart, his voice remained cold. “What’s this new game of yours?”
“I’ve decided to divorce Charles,” Teresa announced. The room went completely still as the words hung in the air. Every pair of eyes locked onto her, their shocked expressions frozen in place.
Yvonne tentatively broke the silence, her eyes shadowed with deepening worry. “What will happen to Yolanda?” she asked.
Teresa gave a weary smile. “Yolanda doesn’t want to live with me,” she said softly. “I’ve decided to give up custody
jeste plonly pain. Perhaps
The words left a bitter taste. Every mother would fight to keep her child, but every memory of Yolanda brought stepping back was the right choice for them both.
૧-(4)
དོག་ཡར་དར་ག་བ་ངན་གྱི་
Yvonne, being a mother herself, truly felt Teresa’s pain. Besides, they all knew how much Teresa loved Yolanda. ‘To give up custody like this, she must have been broken beyond words, Yvonne thought to herself.
Linda’s voice caught in her throat as tears welled up. Yvonne passed her a tissue before turning to Teresa. “You’re doing the right thing by leaving him,” Yvonne said, voice still thick with emotion. “When you’re ready, you’ll find someone who really cares for you.”
Teresa gave a faint smile. “We’ll see. Right now, I’m not ready to meet anyone.” She knew how these things usually ended. There was no point making the same mistakes twice.
Yvonne didn’t press further. Instead, she picked up a serving spoon and filled Teresa’s plate generously. “Th she said firmly. “You’re still our family, and we’ll always want you here.”
always be your home,”
Monica added cheerfully, “Aunt Teresa, when I grow up, I’ll take care of you too.” Howard remained silent, quietly peeling shrimp. When he finished five, he slid the plate toward Teresa. Seeing this, Teresa’s eyes immediately welled up.
For five years with the Logans, nobody appreciated her hard work. Yet here with her own family, they cherished her unconditionally. Teresa lowered her head over her dinner plate, tears falling silently onto the food.
Halfway through dinner, Monica suddenly pointed at the coffee table behind them. “Aunt Teresa, your phone’s lighting up.” Teresa looked and saw Charles calling.
She never blocked anyone’s number. The missed calls were only because her phone had been on silent. As soon as she answered, Teresa’s face drained of color. Her body stiffened when she replied, “I’ll be right there,”
After hanging up, Teresa stood abruptly. “Yolanda had an allergic reaction to mangoes. She’s at the hospital. I need to go.” Hearing this, Theodore shot Yvonne a meaningful look, which she instantly understood. Without hesitation, Yvonne offered to join Teresa. Monica also sprang up from her seat to follow.
At half past ten in the evening, Yolanda woke up. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Teresa
“Are you feeling better, Yolanda?” Teresa asked, her worried expression finally relaxing when she saw her daughter was awake. She had been sitting by the hospital bed for over an hour, never leaving Yolanda’s side.
1/2
11:27 AM PS
Chapter 8
Charles left to pay the medical bills, leaving just Teresa with the others in the room. When Yolanda saw it was her mother, she turned away silently, clearly upset.
Teresa thought maybe Yolanda wanted to see Naomi instead. The idea hurt, but she just straightened Yolanda’s blankets. “Get some rest,” she said quietly. “I’ll go now.” There was no reason to stay if Yolanda didn’t want her there.
As Teresa turned to take Monica’s hand, Yolanda suddenly spun around and shouted at her retreating back, “You’re a bad mom!”
Monica had heard enough. Dropping Teresa’s hand, she marched to the bedside. “Don’t you talk to Aunt Teresa like that!” she scolded, glaring at Yolanda.
Yolanda fired back instantly, her face flushing with
Mager, “Shut up, fatty. This isn’t your business.”
“You’re just a spoiled, selfish brat!” Monica shouted, her tiny hands shaking. “Aunt Teresa loves you but you’re so mean!”
Yolanda couldn’t take it anymore. Tears poured down as she screamed, “Fatty! Stupid fatty! No one
Monica, who was a little chubby from loving her food, hated being called fat more Yolanda who had started the insults.
will ever like you!”
than anything.
Teresa knew this well. Besides,
it was
“Yolanda, apologize to Monica now!” Teresa scolded sternly, pulling Monica protectively
behind her.
Seeing her mother take Monica’s side, Yolanda felt more upset and burst into tears. Just
as
Yvonne
moved to calm her, Charles walked
- in.
Spotting her father, Yolanda stretched out her arms, crying harder. “Daddy, Mommy yelled at me,” she wailed.
Yolanda’s sobs tore at Charles‘ heart. He glared at Teresa, his anger clear. Teresa held his gaze steadily. “I don’t see anything wrong what I did,” she said calmly. “If you disagree, that’s your problem. I don’t care.” She had never been this cold with him before.
Charles barely noticed Teresa’s change in attitude before snapping, “This is what you call parenting?” Teresa didn’t even She simply accepted his accusations, refusing to justify herself.
try
with
to explain.
right.
Charles pressed on. “See? This proves Naomi would be a better mother.” Teresa met his gaze and calmly agreed he was
Her composure caught Charles off guard. But before he could say more, Teresa countered sharply, “You all claim to know what’s best for Yoianda. Then how corne nobody knew about her mango allergy?”
Charles‘ body tensed for a brief second before his face smoothed into its usual calm expression. “You never mentioned that to me before,” he said.
“Fine. Pay attention,” Teresa said sharply. “Yolanda’s a girl, you’ll need to help her wash properly every day, and she has her monthly checkups. No cold water, no mangoes.” She rattled off each detail like a nurse reciting instructions.
Before Charles could respond, she grabbed Monica’s hand and marched out. The divorce was set in stone, but at least now Yolanda wouldn’t suffer for it.