Chapter 309
No one expected that right after class, the student’s mother would come storming in. She’d rushed over to drop off her kid’s homework packet, but when she got there, her daughter was nowhere to be found.
That’s when she found out Teresa had sent her kid to the nurse’s office instead of keeping her in class. The mom immediately lost her temper and demanded to confront Teresa, and the whole thing ended up in the principal’s office.
Teresa explained to the woman, “Your daughter was coughing badly in my class, and she looked exhausted–like she hadn’t slept in days. What she really needs is rest. Her health matters more than her grades p>
The woman shot back with a cold laugh. “She’s my kid. How I raise her is my business, not yours. If I say she studies, she studies. Kids can’t afford to fall behind at the starting line. If she does, who’s going to take responsibility?
“Will you? If you can guarantee it, then fine, Ms. Johnston. Let her play every day if you want. But you’d better promise me she’ll get into Querencia University p>
Teresa’s patience was wearing thin, and her face turned cold. “Every parent cares about their child. I was just thinking from a mother’s perspective. It hurts to see a kid forced to study when she’s sick.
“She’s only in third grade, and the workload isn’t that heavy. Once she’s healthy again, she can easily catch up p>
The woman pressed, “And what about your kid? Where’s your child? Let me see them. I want to ask if you tell your own kid not to study and just play all day. Is that your idea of parenting p>
“You!” Teresa was about to argue back, but the homeroom teacher next to her gently tugged her arm.
Most of the teachers in the office knew Teresa was single and didn’t have kids. The homeroom teacher had dealt with situations like this before and didn’t want things to escalate.
When one runs into an unreasonable parent like this, there’s only one thing one can do: put up with it. Teresa didn’t want to, but she had no choice. If she pushed back too hard, the homeroom teacher would be left to clean up the mess.
She didn’t mind taking the blame herself, but she couldn’t drag the innocent homeroom teacher into it. So this time, Teresa swallowed her pride, apologized to the girl’s mother, and only then did the woman finally leave, satisfied.
After things finished, Lysander said to Teresa, “Ms. Johnston, you’ve got a great figure. That long dress looks amazing on you today p>
“Get lost,” Teresa snapped, turning to leave.
“Stop right
nder’s face turned cold. “You think you can act up just because you’re pretty? I’m the principal
u follow the rules. Otherwise, you won’t last a day in Everport p>
eave. Go ahead, threaten me again. I’ve got nothing to lose,” said Teresa.
stain on your record? Good luck finding work anywhere else. Everport won’t have you anymore p>
a didn’t say another word. She slammed the door and left.
If she were truly alone, she could drift from place to place and call anywhere home. But she had a son, and another baby on the way.
She’d already left Nareigh, left Fernlandia, and moved again in less than a year. Nareigh was her roots, the place she knew best, where no one dared lay a finger on her. But she couldn’t go back.
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13:18 Thu, 22 May 000.
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Chapter 308
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After leaving school, Teresa didn’t head straight home. She figured she’d grab something to cat–she just didn’t have the energy to cook tonight. Then she twisted her ankle and ended up sitting on the steps, tears streaming down her face.
A passerby stopped and asked, “Miss, are you okay? Do you need any help p>
Teresa shook her head. It was just a twisted ankle. She’d be fine after a little rest.
Maybe to others, it seemed silly. She was a grown woman, after all. But it’s like when someone spills their milkshake or the bag of oranges breaks, and suddenly they just start crying. It’s never really about that last straw.
Night fell, and the city lights flickered on, but she didn’t even have anyone to talk to, to vent or complain to. Teresa wiped her tears away with both hands.
This was the path she chose. She’d already made her decision.
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