Chapter 36 On the fifteenth day , Teresa finally returned to Brocade Villa . She had only one reason for coming back - to seek justice for Hector . A talented doctor like Hector shouldn't have his future destroyed - especially not because of her . When she arrived , Charles still hadn't returned . Mrs. Davis , seeing Teresa after two months away , couldn't hide her delight . " Mrs. Logan , you're finally back , " she greeted warmly . Teresa offered a faint smile in reply . " Mm . " " Mrs. Logan , I bought plenty of fresh ingredients . Would you like to cook dinner ? " Mrs. Davis asked . It was still early , leaving ample time to prepare . Over the past two months , Charles had been coming home regularly , and Mrs. Davis figured he'd likely do so tonight too . Aware of the strain between the couple , she gently suggested a nice meal might help smooth things over . Teresa caught her drift but smiled and said , " Mrs. Davis , why don't you handle it ? You know my preferences and what I can't eat . " Mrs. Davis blinked in surprise . " Mrs. Logan , are you sure … ? " " Go ahead and arrange it , but don't make it too fancy , " Teresa said . She used to do everything herself , but it had all been pointless - Charles had never appreciated it . Mrs. Davis frowned , puzzled . ' What happened to Mrs. Logan ? She's acting like a completely different person . ' After deliberating in the kitchen , she decided to call Charles . " Mr. Logan , Mrs. Logan is back . She's in the kitchen getting dinner ready - just waiting for you to come home . " It was a small white lie ; after all , they were a married couple with a child . Surely they could work through whatever was wrong . Charles was working overtime when the call came . Hearing Teresa had returned to Brocade Villa , he couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise . He'd honestly thought she'd never come back . Hanging up , he shut down his computer and left the office . As he stepped into the main hall , he saw Teresa descending the stairs from the second floor . She saw him too , but there was no trace of joy on her face , nor did she move to take his coat as she always had . Instead , she walked silently down the stairs and took a seat at the dining table . Charles removed his coat , hung it on the rack by the door , and sat down across from her When Mrs. Davis brought out the dishes , she immediately sensed the tense atmosphere . She kept quiet " Mr. Logan , Mrs Logan , please enjoy your meal ," she said softly . Tereza looked up at her . " Mrs. Davis , could you step out for a moment ? I need to talk to my husband alone . " Mrs. Davis forced an awkward laugh Of course Once she was gone . Teresa didut so quch as touch her fork . Turning to Charles , she cut straight to the chase . Did you put Jason up to Targring Hector Charles recalled the mat Tera had did my a few times this must be Hector P P. Chapter 36 A vague memory surfaced of Jason saying , " I'll take care of this for you . " Teresa was confronting him now , so Jason must have acted . But Charles wasn't sure exactly what he'd done . " What are you implying ? " he asked , neither confirming nor denying . His evasion only solidified Teresa's suspicion . She let out a bitter laugh . " You're despicable . " " Really ? Is that what you think ? " Charles replied , unperturbed . " Aren't you ? " Teresa shot back . Over something as trivial as Hector refusing to discuss a research topic with Naomi , Charles was willing to ruin a genius . Charles realized Teresa hadn't returned for the whole second child thing . She was here for Hector - plain and simple . What exactly was between them ? Why was she going out of her way to defend him ? A surge of irritation rose in him , and he said coldly , " You should have known the consequences when you let him get close . " Teresa never for a second thought his anger stemmed from jealousy . This was Charles - he craved control over everything . And as his wife , she was supposed to stay within her assigned bounds . But Teresa wasn't going to be his puppet anymore . " Hector and I have been friends for years . Since when do you get to decide how I live my life ? " Teresa fired back . Seeing Teresa looking so self - assured and righteous , Charles felt a surge of irritation . His voice turned icy , his gaze glacial . " So I should just stand by until you're in his bed before I react ? " Teresa paused , then let out a bitter laugh . " Before you accuse me , maybe take a long look in the mirror ." Charles's eyes darkened . He had never seen her like this - guarded , sharp - edged , bristling with defiance . Lately , though , this version of Teresa had become unsettlingly familiar . He had always assumed she was passive , pliant - but now , he saw the fire in her , the unyielding will she'd kept hidden , After a heavy silence , Charles finally spoke . " So you came back just to say this to me ? " Teresa didn't falter . " Yes ." Then , without hesitation , she added , " And what about Hector ? Don't you owe him an apology ? " Charles tilted his head . " What exactly do you want from me ?? " Apologize to him , " Teresa demanded . " And end your interference in his career . " Charles studied her , his lips curling into a humorless smile . Teresa searched his face for any hint of his thoughts , but his expression was unreadable . Fine : Charles said , his tone laced with mockery . With deliberais slowness , he picked up his phone and dialed - right in front of her Teresa watched , uneqse coiling in her stomach Was he really going to apologize , or was this another one of his games ? The call contested Charles rose , the harsh ligt framing his silhouette , his face obscured in shadong P P . Chapter 36 Teresa strained to see him , but his expression remained hidden . Then , his voice cut through the silence - cold , merciless . " Ruined . I want Hector's medical career ruined . Ensure he never practices again . No - go further . Make sure he can't work anywhere . " Teresa lunged for the phone , but Charles caught her wrist in a bruising grip . She twisted , but his hold was unbreakable . As soon as he ended the call , Charles yanked her against him , his broad frame swallowing the light , leaving her trapped in his shadow . His breath seared her skin - too close , too hot - and every instinct screamed at her to flee . But struggle as she might , she couldn't wrench free . " Well ? " Charles murmured , his lips brushing her ear . " Are you happy now ? " 1 Teresa wrenched her head back , eyes blazing . " You're vile . " He chuckled , low and mocking . " Funny . I don't feel vile . " A careless shrug , as if ruining a life meant nothing . To Charles , talent was trivial . A genius's dreams ? Kindling . What others spent lifetimes chasing , he crushed between his fingers like dry leaves . Teresa's hand flew before she could think - a crack of skin on skin , her palm stinging from the force . It was the first time she had ever raised a hand against him . " Do you even know what you're doing ? " Charles went still . The slap had ignited his rage like gasoline on a fire . Then - Like a switch flipped , he seized her throat and slammed her into the chair , his voice a lethal whisper . " You've got no idea what you've just done . " Teresa's face darkened to crimson , veins threading her bloodshot eyes - but no tears . Only defiance . Gasping , she choked out , " I … pity myself … for ever loving you ." 340