Chapter 12 C There weren't many at the dinner - seven or eight in all , every one of them from the school's administration . A student had been hurt earlier , and it held Teresa Sullivan up . She walked in last . When the waiter pushed open the private - room door , every eye turned toward her . She scanned the table - and caught sight of Charles Logan and Liam Collins . Jimmy Leach hadn't mentioned this was a thank - you dinner for the donation , and she hadn't asked . She'd just said yes . Besides , Charles was the type who ate at Michelin - level restaurants and slept in luxury hotels . The last thing she'd expected was for him th to stick around for a meal in this little town . Charles noticed her too , mildly surprised . Then it occurred to him - maybe she'd made a donation just to him at dinner . Jimmy jumped up the moment he saw Teresa still standing . " Dr. Sullivan - quick , have a seat ! " Doctor ? The word caught Charles off guard . et the chance to ru " into " But when Teresa stepped inside , he instinctively turned away , saying to Liam , who was still standing , " Sit . Don't just stand there . " " Liam blinked . " Huh ? " By then , Teresa had looked over the table and chosen the seat farthest from Charles . Charles noticed , his brow tightening . Liam caught on . So that was it - Charles didn't want her sitting too close . Yet she'd gone out of her way to sit as far from him as possible . Liam was floored . He'd been with Charles for years - long enough to know Teresa's feelings for him had bordered on obsession . Since when did she ever pass up a chance to be near him ? This … What on earth was going on ? He couldn't wrap his head around it . Charles saw him still standing and shot him a glance . Liam had no choice but to sit down . Jimmy played the host , making the first toast to Charles . Charles sipped politely , no more . All eyes were on Charles . Teresa stayed quiet , nibbling at her food . She sipped when the table toasted , but when the glasses clinked just- between the two of them , she kept her gaze fixed on her plate . When Jimmy made his last round , he stopped at Teresa . " Dr. Sullivan , I can't thank you enough for what you've done for the children . Since you came , the ailments we could see have been taken care of . You've cared for them like they were your own . This one's to you- for these two months of hard work . " Lifting her glass , Teresa smiled faintly . " You're too kind , Mr. Leach . I only did what I could . " ' Two months ? Teresa had been here for two months already ? So she hadn't followed his car here ? ' He glanced at her - simple clothes , just the lightest touch of makeup … and still , she was beautiful . Those years of being a full - time mom had drained the color from her , yes , But now , looking closer … there was a new kind of allure in her , something he couldn't quite nante . She set her glass down without a glance in his direction . As if , to her , he were no one at all . Then a peeled shrimp landed in her bowl . She looked up - it was Neil Watson . 1/3 P Chapter 12 After two months at the school , she'd come to know most of the teachers . Neil was the quiet , gentlemanly sort ; when he smiled , his eyes were clear as glass . " Thank you , Mr. Watson , " she said . Jimmy's eyes flickered , and he asked outright , " Dr. Sullivan , are you married ? " Direct question , direct answer , " Yes . I have a daughter . " Across the table , Charles saw Neil peeling shrimp for her . Saw her smiling at another man . He didn't know what he felt - only that he lost his focus for a moment . When he tuned back in , she was saying she was married - with a daughter . For a split second , something like relief flickered through him , sharp and uninvited . And he saw the light in Neil's eyes snuff out in an instant . Then she added , " But I'm about to get divorced . " Charles didn't hear that part - his phone started ringing on video . He answered , but not before flicking another glance at Neil . The light in the man's eyes was back . So … what had she said ? Before he could puzzle it out , a sweet voice piped through the phone , " Daddy , where are you ? " Charles didn't bother to step out . Still at the table , he looked at the screen , his expression softening without thought . " Daddy's in a small town . I'll be back tomorrow . Miss Naomi will come over to stay with you tonight . You can sleep with her . " Almost by reflex , his eyes went to Teresa - she was talking with the man beside her , faint smile on her face . " Okay , Daddy , " Yolanda said sweetly . Out of nowhere , Charles said , " Mommy's here too . Want to say a few words to her ? " Perfectly normal for a father to offer - until he said , " Mommy . Every head at the table turned . There was more than one woman at the table . Who exactly did he mean ? No one asked aloud . They just listened . On the phone , Yolanda pouted . " No. I'm still mad at her . If she doesn't apologize , won't forgive her . " The room was quiet . Her little - girl voice carried easily . གས་ དང་། ས་ ་ གས་ པ་ དེའི་ Teresa , adding Neil on Facebook , heard her daughter's words but didn't look up . As far as she was concerned , they were just air . What had she done that needed forgiveness ? Charles's eyes darted to her . She kept eating , indifferent to his call . Once , she'd been the one more attached to Yolanda . Now , it was like she was a different person . Back when she'd spent six months on a work trip in the next province , she'd video - called her daughter almost every day . Now ? She didn't even ask . " Daddy , Miss Naomi's here ! I'm gonna go play blocks with her . When you're done working , you have to rest , okay ? " The call ended . Jimmy , still mulling over the conversation , grew curious . The child's mother was here ? Who could it be ? Three women at the table - two were married to others , and the only one who might fit , Teresa , was sitting a mile away from Charles , And if Charles didn't mind people knowing he had a daughter , why hide a wife ? 2/3 Pd . Chapter 12 Maybe Jimmy had misheard . When he refilled Charles's glass , he said with a smile , " So Mr. Logan's married ." Charles's reply was cool . " Mm . I have a lovely daughter . " Jimmy's grin widened . " She's such a sweetheart . Seems close to her nanny at home , too ." " Nanny ? " Charles frowned . " Sure - Miss Naomi ? " Jimmy's eyes were open and guileless . He had no idea who " Miss Naomi " really was . Charles didn't call him out , but the urge to stay was gone . He pushed back his chair , tone even . " I'm full . Enjoy the rest." He picked up his suit jacket and walked for the door without looking back . Passing Teresa , he stopped - without even knowing why . " Not leaving ? " Even he wasn't sure if he meant her . Once , she would've fallen into step without a thought . Now ? She knew Charles couldn't care less where she went . So he couldn't be talking to her . www A beat of silence . Then , louder , " Liam ." Liam shot up . " On it . " Teresa's lips curved . See ? Not her after all . People shouldn't get too full of themselves . 3/3