Chapter 8
Evelyn’s voice came through the phone, soft and comforting. “Shh, shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. No need to cry p>
Teresa’s hand clenched her phone tighter, a sinking feeling in her chest.
The line was silent for a beat before Evelyn’s hesitant voice broke the quiet. “Teresa, is everything alright? I thought we’d agreed that you wouldn’t contact me after you got married p>
“Mommy, Jonathan and I have been divorced for a while now,” Teresa replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“What?” Evelyn gasped, the shock in her voice echoing through the phone.
Teresa inhaled unevenly, her eyes brimming with emotion as she said into the phone, “Mommy, could we possibly meet after my shift ends p>
There was a pause before Evelyn responded. “You can come by my place p>
“Got it,” Teresa said, her emotions in a tangle as she hung up. She made a quick stop at the mall before heading to her mom’s.
The butler guided her to an opulent villa nestled in the upscale district, a stark contrast to the modest home of her childhood. The mansion boasted a butler and housekeeping staff, and its interior was nothing short of palatial.
Inside, her mom, Evelyn, was gently rocking a little girl, trying to calm her down. The child was even smaller than Teresa’s son, Michael, with delicate skin and a hair clip that caught the light.
Teresa’s gaze moved to Evelyn, who was dressed to the nines in glittering jewelry, looking like she’d just had a day at the spa.
Evelyn gave a lackluster smile and gestured towards a chair. “Sit down,” she said, her tone as chilly as the marble underfoot.
“What’s my sister’s name?” Teresa asked, her tone calm amidst the palpable tension.
Evelyn faltered for a moment before replying, “Isabel Wilson. My husband was the one who named her p>
Teresa’s mouth tightened, and she fell silent, her hand quietly slipping into her pocket where she nervously crumpled a piece of fabric.
The maid subtly offered a cup of coffee, the rising steam and its aroma briefly softening the room’s tension.
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed as she probed, “So, Teresa, what brings you here?” Her clipped tone spoke volumes of the distance that had grown between them.
Teresa got straight to the point, saying, “Mommy, I’ve decided to quit my job and start my own business. I was wondering if you could help me out financially—thirty thousand would cover it p>
Evelyn’s expression turned to stone. “I won’t give you a penny. I made it clear when you got married, my duty to you was fulfilled. I have a new family now, and my responsibilities lie with them p>
Holding Evelyn’s gaze, Teresa said with conviction, “I understand, and that’s why it’s a loan. I swear I’ll pay you back, every single cent p>
Evelyn shook her head, determination in her voice. “You should have a chat with your dad. I mean, he’s not exactly hurting for money, and he can’t just pretend you don’t exist, right p>
Teresa let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagging. “After I married Jonathan, things weren’t the same with Dad. He disapproved of him and had always hoped I’d marry a wealthy playboy, which wasn’t for me.
“It really bothered him. When I decided to start my business, I knew I couldn’t count on his support, so I turned to you p>
Evelyn paused, a nonchalant shrug escaping her. “Look, you’re in your mid-twenties now. You’re an adult. You’ve got to make your own decisions.” Her voice rose, and the baby in her arms picked up on the tension, letting out a cry.
Evelyn’s eyes softened as she cradled and rocked Isabel. “Shh, it’s okay,” she soothed. Her affection was a stark contrast to the coldness Teresa felt from her own family.
Teresa’s heart had grown immune to the lack of love from her parents. The pain had faded, replaced by a numb acceptance. She’d learned to live without it.
Teresa stood up, her voice barely audible as she spoke with a quiet resolve. “Got it. I’m leaving, won’t bug you anymore.” She blinked back tears, her eyes shimmering with the effort.
Evelyn, her confusion clear, reached out to stop her. “Hold on. What went wrong with you and Jonathan? You were so keen on getting married p>
Teresa didn’t turn to face Evelyn, just brushed away a tear with a blank look. “We couldn’t make it work, so we called it quits p>
Evelyn’s frown deepened, her voice edged with criticism. “Is it because you’re always losing your temper? You’re not a kid, Teresa. If you want someone to spend their life with you, you need to work on your attitude p>
With a bitter smile, Teresa finally turned to Evelyn, her gaze a mix of sadness and challenge. “You’re in no position to lecture me about marriage. Yours is a disaster, and yet here you are, dishing out advice on mine p>
“You— Get out!” Evelyn snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
Without a backward glance, Teresa marched out of the villa, the star pendant she’d bought for her half-sister jingling in her pocket.
She’d chosen it at the mall, figuring it was a thoughtful gift despite its modest price tag of about 1,000 dollars. Ultimately, she chose not to give the gift, unsure if Evelyn would appreciate its simplicity.
Feeling the pinch of being a parent and needing to be more fiscally prudent, Teresa made up her mind to return the pendant. Resolved, she headed back to the mall.
Inside the store, the sales associate was captivated by Teresa’s striking looks—her expressive eyes, prominent nose bridge, and an allure that was undeniable.
“Normally, I don’t do this, but for a looker like you, I’ll bend the rules,” he flirted, grinning as he processed the return.
Teresa’s gratitude was heartfelt, her tone steady. There was a sense of relief, not tears, as she watched the money from the pendant get refunded to her account.
Teresa left the mall and bagged up Michael’s favorite grub when her phone vibrated with a message from Evelyn. She glanced down to see a transfer of $15,000 and a note that this was the last time Evelyn would be sending her any money.
Evelyn: [Here’s $15,000. For the rest, talk to your dad. I won’t be providing any more funds. I’m content with my life, I cherish my husband, and I’m devoted to Isabel. Please, no more contact p>
[I don’t need it,] Teresa replied, her fingers flying over the screen as she rejected the transfer.
Evelyn’s reply was as cold as ice. [Take the money and let’s call it quits on our whole mother-daughter thing p>
Teresa kept it simple and respectful in her response. [Got it, Ms. Davis. I hope your family’s happy p>
But Evelyn wasn’t done. A voice call came through, her voice laced with anger. “Teresa, what’s with the attitude? You come begging for money, and now you’re too good for it p>
Teresa’s voice was steady as she replied, “I’m not being sarcastic here. It was wrong of me to ask. I promise I’m out of your life for good p>
Evelyn was in the middle of a conversation when the baby’s cries interrupted. Teresa, on the line, could hear the baby’s sobs and Evelyn’s soft, calming voice.
“Sweetheart, it’s okay,” Evelyn crooned. “Don’t cry, baby, Mommy’s right here p>
As Teresa listened, a pang shot through her. She’d faced hardships—financial woes, a car wreck, her divorce—but this was different. The sound of Evelyn’s nurturing words was her undoing.
Her hand shook as she hung up. The tears she’d held back spilled over. Her mom’s tenderness was for someone else now, leaving Teresa to face her solitude alone.
Teresa, her face wet with tears, sat on the mall’s steps, trying to compose herself amidst the gathering gloom. As a new mom, she knew she had to be strong, but for now, she allowed herself this brief moment to cry.
Jonathan, in a black Rolls-Royce, his face a stoic mask as he reviewed some documents, suddenly spotted something that prompted him to sharply tell the driver, “Stop the car p>
The car came to a halt, and the driver remained silent, waiting for further instructions.
From the back seat of his car, Jonathan watched Teresa crying across the street, his brow furrowed with worry. He had not anticipated encountering her in such distress on his way home from a business meeting.
Jonathan couldn’t believe his eyes. Teresa, always the picture of grace and resilience, was now a mess, sitting on the steps outside the mall, her tears on full display for everyone to see.
His driver interrupted his thoughts. “Mr. Lynn, are you stepping out p>
Paying no mind to the question, Jonathan kept his eyes on Teresa, clearly upset. After a brief pause, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.