Chapter 16 @ 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 . 1/3 1/3 P 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 . 2/3 P Chapter 16 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 . " 3/3