Chapter 8 Teresa hadn't been back to her parents ' place in six months . And now the air in the room felt thick with unspoken tension . The dining table was overflowing with dishes , nearly all of which were Teresa's favorites . When Teresa first decided to marry Charles , her whole family were against it . But she stood her ground , threatening to walk away from them all if they didn't agree . In the end , they gave in , though not happily . Yet after the wedding , Charles never bothered to visit her family with her , not even once . Teresa's father Howard Sullivan sat stone - faced , while her mother Linda Cooper dabbed at her red - rimmed eyes . Theodore's displeasure was equally evident . Yvonne attempted to ease the tension but struggled to find the right words . Monica watched everyone's reactions discreetly . Just as Teresa rose to apologize to her family , Theodore cut in with biting sarcasm , " Shouldn't you be preparing for Zack Logan's birthday tomorrow ? What brings you back here instead of waiting on his family ? " Of avaiting Every word was laced with thorns , yet Teresa merely offered a faint smile before responding evenly , " Theodore , from now on, I'll only celebrate Dad's birthday . " Theodore was taken aback . Though concern flickered in his heart , his voice remained cold . " What's this new game of yours ? " " I've decided to divorce Charles , " Teresa announced . The room went completely still as the words hung in the air . Every pair of eyes locked onto her , their shocked expressions frozen in place . Yvonne tentatively broke the silence , her eyes shadowed with deepening worry . " What will happen to Yolanda ? " she asked . Teresa gave a weary smile . " Yolanda doesn't want to live with me , " she said softly . " I've decided to give up custody jeste plonly pain . Perhaps The words left a bitter taste . Every mother would fight to keep her child , but every memory of Yolanda brought stepping back was the right choice for them both . ૧- ( 4 ) དོག་ ཡར་ དར་ ག་ བ་ ངན་ གྱི་ Yvonne , being a mother herself , truly felt Teresa's pain . Besides , they all knew how much Teresa loved Yolanda . ' To give up custody like this , she must have been broken beyond words , Yvonne thought to herself . Linda's voice caught in her throat as tears welled up . Yvonne passed her a tissue before turning to Teresa . " You're doing the right thing by leaving him , " Yvonne said , voice still thick with emotion . " When you're ready , you'll find someone who really cares for you . " Teresa gave a faint smile . " We'll see . Right now , I'm not ready to meet anyone ." She knew how these things usually ended . There was no point making the same mistakes twice . Yvonne didn't press further . Instead , she picked up a serving spoon and filled Teresa's plate generously . " Th she said firmly . " You're still our family , and we'll always want you here . " always be your home , " Monica added cheerfully , " Aunt Teresa , when I grow up , I'll take care of you too . " Howard remained silent , quietly peeling shrimp . When he finished five , he slid the plate toward Teresa . Seeing this , Teresa's eyes immediately welled up . For five years with the Logans , nobody appreciated her hard work . Yet here with her own family , they cherished her unconditionally . Teresa lowered her head over her dinner plate , tears falling silently onto the food . Halfway through dinner , Monica suddenly pointed at the coffee table behind them . " Aunt Teresa , your phone's lighting up . " Teresa looked and saw Charles calling . She never blocked anyone's number . The missed calls were only because her phone had been on silent . As soon as she answered , Teresa's face drained of color . Her body stiffened when she replied , " I'll be right there , " After hanging up , Teresa stood abruptly . " Yolanda had an allergic reaction to mangoes . She's at the hospital . I need to go . " Hearing this , Theodore shot Yvonne a meaningful look , which she instantly understood . Without hesitation , Yvonne offered to join Teresa . Monica also sprang up from her seat to follow . At half past ten in the evening , Yolanda woke up . As soon as she opened her eyes , she saw Teresa " Are you feeling better , Yolanda ? " Teresa asked , her worried expression finally relaxing when she saw her daughter was awake . She had been sitting by the hospital bed for over an hour , never leaving Yolanda's side . 1/2 PS Chapter 8 Charles left to pay the medical bills , leaving just Teresa with the others in the room . When Yolanda saw it was her mother , she turned away silently , clearly upset . Teresa thought maybe Yolanda wanted to see Naomi instead . The idea hurt , but she just straightened Yolanda's blankets . " Get some rest ," she said quietly . " I'll go now ." There was no reason to stay if Yolanda didn't want her there . As Teresa turned to take Monica's hand , Yolanda suddenly spun around and shouted at her retreating back , " You're a bad mom ! " Monica had heard enough . Dropping Teresa's hand , she marched to the bedside . " Don't you talk to Aunt Teresa like that ! " she scolded , glaring at Yolanda . Yolanda fired back instantly , her face flushing with Mager , " Shut up , fatty . This isn't your business . " " You're just a spoiled , selfish brat ! " Monica shouted , her tiny hands shaking . " Aunt Teresa loves you but you're so mean ! " Yolanda couldn't take it anymore . Tears poured down as she screamed , " Fatty ! Stupid fatty ! No one Monica , who was a little chubby from loving her food , hated being called fat more Yolanda who had started the insults . will ever like you ! " than anything . Teresa knew this well . Besides , it was " Yolanda , apologize to Monica now ! " Teresa scolded sternly , pulling Monica protectively behind her . Seeing her mother take Monica's side , Yolanda felt more upset and burst into tears . Just as Yvonne moved to calm her , Charles walked in . Spotting her father , Yolanda stretched out her arms , crying harder . " Daddy , Mommy yelled at me , " she wailed . Yolanda's sobs tore at Charles ' heart . He glared at Teresa , his anger clear . Teresa held his gaze steadily . " I don't see anything wrong what I did , " she said calmly . " If you disagree , that's your problem . I don't care . " She had never been this cold with him before . Charles barely noticed Teresa's change in attitude before snapping , " This is what you call parenting ? " Teresa didn't even She simply accepted his accusations , refusing to justify herself . try with to explain . right . Charles pressed on . " See ? This proves Naomi would be a better mother . " Teresa met his gaze and calmly agreed he was Her composure caught Charles off guard . But before he could say more , Teresa countered sharply , " You all claim to know what's best for Yoianda . Then how corne nobody knew about her mango allergy ? " Charles ' body tensed for a brief second before his face smoothed into its usual calm expression . " You never mentioned that to me before , " he said . " Fine . Pay attention , " Teresa said sharply . " Yolanda's a girl , you'll need to help her wash properly every day , and she has her monthly checkups . No cold water , no mangoes ." She rattled off each detail like a nurse reciting instructions . Before Charles could respond , she grabbed Monica's hand and marched out . The divorce was set in stone , but at least now Yolanda wouldn't suffer for it . 2/2