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 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 , 2/3 P Chapter 27