Chapter 40 Naomi hung up the phone and turned around , only to see Teresa , her face full of worry , hurrying over while calling out for Yolanda . At that moment , Naomi's hand was still bleeding from her broken nail . Even though it hurt , she couldn't spare a thought for her injury . Yolanda was missing , and Naomi had no way to explain that to Charles . As Teresa approached , Naomi called out , " Hi , Ms. Sullivan ." Teresa shot her a frosty look and demanded , " Where's Yolanda ? " Naomi lifted her hand and pointed . " She probably went that way . " Without saying another word , Teresa walked around Naomi and hurried after her . The school event was still going on , but Monica , worried about Teresa , had Yvonne go with her to look for Yolanda . Teresa searched every classroom but couldn't find Yolanda anywhere . Finally , she headed to the restroom . Just as she was about to go in , she ran into Charles coming out with Yolanda in his arms . Yolanda had clearly been crying . She was leaning on Charles's shoulder , her body still shaking with sobs . Charles's large hand soothingly stroked her back , both to comfort her and to keep her from slipping . Teresa's heart went out to her daughter , and she gently called , " Yolanda ? " Charles wore a cold expression , his eyes icy as he looked at Teresa . The chill coming off him was so suffocating , it felt like it could drown her . " So this is what you call something important ? " he said , his voice rumbling from deep in his throat , the accusation clear in every syllable . Just a little while ago in the restroom , Yolanda had been sobbing so hard it felt like her whole world was falling apart . It wasn't until Charles showed up and asked her a couple of questions that he finally pieced together what had happened . He realized that Teresa's important matter was just her accompanying Monica for a performance . He understood why people were gossiping about his daughter , and he found out that Naomi had injured her nail while trying to stand up for Yolanda . Teresa figured Yolanda must've said something to Charles , but she didn't get intimidated at all by his overwhelming aura . She answered , " Yeah , I promised Monica first . " Seeing how unapologetic she was , acting like she had every right , Charles got even angrier . He let out a cold laugh , " You really think it's just normal , huh ? " In Charles's eyes , Teresa was in the wrong for not putting Yolanda first . But he had no clue that Teresa had already given up everything about them . Teresa really didn't feel like explaining herself to Charles . She just said , " Suit yourself . " Ciparies looked disappointed Without another word , he turned to leave with Yolanda in his arms , throwing over his shoulder , " Since you clearly don't want to be involved with Yolanda , then just stay out of her life from now on ." With that , Charles walked right past Teresa , carrying Yolanda away . Teresa called after his back , her voice cold . "Works for me . " Charles stopped in his tracks and turned back , glaring at Teresa " You He was eliciously pissed that Teresa didn't care about Yolanda at all , which was why he blurted out something so harsh . But he never thougin Tere qually agree to candy . PP Chapter 40 The Teresa who used to see her daughter as her whole world seemed to have completely disappeared . The woman standing in front of him now felt like a stranger . Teresa stepped forward and looked Charles straight in the eye . " Since that's how you want it , let me be clear with you . Starting today , I'm done getting involved in Yolanda's business . " Teresa wasn't just saying it out of spite ; she'd made up her mind about this long ago . Charles fixed his gaze on Teresa , his brow furrowed and his expression stormy . Hearing Teresa's words , Yolanda hesitantly lifted her head from Charles's shoulder . ' Are they going to start fighting again ? Or is Mom really going to stop caring about me ? ' Yolanda thought anxiously , then called out in a timid voice , " Mom ? " Teresa looked at her daughter , her heart aching for her . But remembering what Monica had said , she still stepped forward . Charles didn't move Yolanda away as Teresa came closer , but he didn't look at her either . Teresa gently reached out and stroked Yolanda's face . " Yolanda , I told you before . You can't go around bullying others , or looking down on people , or calling them names . " And if you do something wrong , you have to make it right . Understand ? " Yolanda's eyes were red , and tears streamed down her face as she kept nodding . " I know , Mom . " Teresa wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes and gave her a gentle smile . " You did really well up there on stage . Even though things didn't go perfectly , just having the courage to stand up there already makes you braver than most people . " People will always have something to say , good or bad , but you have to believe in yourself . If your dance didn't go as well as you hoped , we'll work harder next time . You really don't need to pay attention to what those people say . " The more Teresa comforted her , the more wronged Yolanda felt , and she started crying even harder . Teresa gently rubbed the top of her head . " But always remember what Mom said - if you make a mistake , you have to fix it . " Yolanda kept nodding , her tears just wouldn't stop . " From now on , make sure you listen to your dad , okay ? And if anything at school upsets you , be sure to tell him , got it ? " Teresa continued . Charles couldn't stand to listen any longer . He adjusted Yolanda in his arms and gave Teresa a cold , hard look . " Spare me the reminders . I'll look after my daughter myself . " Teresa's words sounded like she was saying her final goodbye to Yolanda , as if this was the last time they'd ever see each other . For some reason , Charles couldn't shake off a heavy feeling in his chest . He couldn't stand to listen to Teresa ramble on anymore , so he scooped Yolanda up and strode straight out of the school . Yolanda was hanging onto Charles's shoulder , crying her heart out and wailing , " Mommy , I want Mommy , Daddy , put me down , I want Mommy . " Charles didn't pay her any mind and just walked right out of the kindergarten with her in his arms . Teresa watched Charles and Yolanda leave , staring after them until they were completely out of sight . Only then did she clap a hand over her mouth , stifling her sols . She'd risked her life just to have Yolanda . Of course , she wanted to always be by her daughter's side . But in the end , her daughter didn't really need her at all . Teresa shumped down in the comer , hands over her face , fighting to keep herself from sobbing out loud . Just then , someone tapped her on the shoulder Teresa lowered her hands and saw Ivonne crouching down beside her . She couldn't hold back anymore and threw herself into Yvore's T You do you think I'm being too cold hearted Teresa asked , her voice trembling P P · Chapter 40 Yvonne held her close , gently stroking her hair . " I'm a mom , too . You wouldn't have reached this point unless you were truly heartbroken . " Teresa's voice was barely a whisper , full of self - blame . " Maybe I don't even deserve to be a mom . I don't want Yolanda to lose her mom , but I just don't know how to face either of them anymore ." Teresa had a husband whose heart was never with her , and a daughter who disliked her and didn't care about her . Living in a family like this was just exhausting for Teresa . Yvonne hugged her tightly . " You've made your choice , so don't look back . Let it go , and you'll finally be able to live more freely . " Teresa nodded . " I get it , Yvonne . " Even though she'd made up her mind , Yolanda was still her child , the one she'd carried for nine long months . It broke her heart to let go . But no matter how much it hurt , Teresa was still determined to leave them behind . W 田