Chapter 304
Teresa took a different route to leave, and the next day, she told Tina, “Honestly, I just don’t feel anything for your brother. There’s no spark, we’re not a match, and I don’t want to hold him back from finding someone better suited for him.”
Tina grabbed Teresa’s hand. “But my brother went home and said he really likes you, Teresa. He said you’re so pretty. If you two had kids, they’d be adorable.”
Teresa let out a cold laugh and pulled her hand back. “I’m not interested in your brother, so how could I possibly have kids with him? What do you take me for? I can’t stop someone else from having kids with him. He should find someone better.”
“Well, that’s not what I meant. I just think you shouldn’t decide so quickly. My brother’s a good guy. Why not get to know him a bit more?”
“No need, Ms. Thompson. I really have no interest in your brother. It’s better for both of us to be clear about it.”
If it weren’t for the fact that they worked in the same office and saw each other every day, Teresa wouldn’t even bother being this polite to Tina.
Ivy leaned over, curious. “Which brother are you talking about? What does he look like?”
Tina pulled up a photo of her brother, Ryan, and showed it to Ivy.
Ivy said, “He looks alright, but honestly, Teresa’s way better looking.”
Tina just shrugged. “Marriage isn’t about looks. My brother’s reliable, hardworking, and ambitious. Guys like him are one in a million.”
Ivy just said, “Well, it’s all about fate. If it’s not meant to be, don’t force it, Ms. Thompson.”
Tína sighed, making sure Teresa could hear her. “When you meet someone with good qualities, you should just settle down. If you keep being picky, you’ll end up with nothing. Even the best–looking men get chubby after marriage.”
“My ex never got fat,” Teresa suddenly blurted out.
Tina and Ivy both froze.
Since she’d already said it, Teresa just went all in. “Yeah, I was married. My ex was hardworking, tall, good–looking, and never put on weight.”
Tina laughed, clearly not buying it. “Come on, Teresa, you’re joking, right? You were married? Oh my god!”
Ivy was skeptical too. “Wait, Teresa, how old are you? Didn’t you put 27 on your info?”
“I got married young. 22,” Teresa replied.
Tina said, “Well, Teresa, that’s just…”
Tina didn’t finish, still half in disbelief, and headed off to her next class.
Ivy, who didn’t have class, leaned in, all gossipy. “For real? You were married? Why’d you get divorced?”
Teresa didn’t explain but sighed, “Been divorced for years. Nothing worth mentioning.”
“Do you have any photos of your ex? Let me see. How tall? How handsome? Did you two look good together?”
“No photos. We deleted each other on WhatsApp ages ago. Go prep for class,” Teresa said.
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Chapter 304
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After work, Teresa picked up some pizza and two hamburgers. Michael wouldn’t touch it. He took one bite and immediately started complaining. “It’s so spicy!” Then he chugged his soda.
Michael asked, “Mom, when do I get to go to kindergarten?”
“Be good, you’ll start next Monday. Tomorrow’s already the weekend, and I talked to your teacher. You’ll go next week,” Teresa replied.
Michael nodded. “Mom, I have a question.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“Yesterday, when you came home, your eyes were all red. Did you cry?” he asked, tugging at Teresa’s sleeve, his face full of
concern.
“No, I just got something in my eye yesterday. It hurt a bit, but I’m fine now,” Teresa said, her heart softening as she gently patted Michael’s hair to comfort him.
The truth was, she cried yesterday. But she’d thought it through–her life was her own choice. Sometimes she felt regret or a little sadness, but most of the time, things were calm and peaceful.
She wanted to hold on to this peace. From the moment she chose to leave Nareigh, there was no turning back.
After dinner, Teresa was cleaning up the kitchen while Michael was in his room drawing.
As he drew, he sang, “Under the blue sky, there’s a big lime tree. On the green grass, there’s a bunch of little muffins–baa, baa, baa,” all while coloring away.
Teresa didn’t hear her child singing; she was busy washing the dishes.
Suddenly, her phone rang. The property manager called, asking her to come to the entrance–there was a “Mr. Lynn” who wanted to see her.
In her twenty–seven years, she hadn’t met many people with the last name “Lynn“. The only one who’d come looking for her was Jonathan. “May I ask what he wants?”
“Mr. Lynn is drunk. If he’s a friend of yours, could you come check on him? Maybe take him home if you know where he lives,” the property manager said.
Teresa put down her phone, pulled on a jacket, and headed downstairs.
“Mommy,” Michael called out, wanting to show Teresa his drawing. But Teresa was already gone. He couldn’t find her anywhere, and noticed her phone was still sitting on the table.
Just outside
man sat on the steps with his head down, his long legs stretched out carelessly, hands clasped
Mathan finally looked up. When he saw her face, he frowned and looked away. “I’m drunk,” he
ave the property manager call me,” Teresa replied, turning to go.
Voice drifted after her, slow and lingering. “So you’re really just going to leave me here?”
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