Chapter 295
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In Everport , all the drama , arguments , and fights from Nareigh were gone for Teresa – they didn’t matter to her anymore .
Now , her only worries were her work , Michael , and her baby . On weekends , she’d take her baby to the park to fly kites or to the amusement park , never worrying about bumping into anyone she knew .
She had been in Everport for a while , and so far , she hadn’t seen a single familiar face .
Last week , she sent Evelyn an anonymous message on Mother’s Day , letting her know she was doing okay . She didn’t even bother checking if she got a reply .
With a teacher’s birthday as a reason , Lysander said all the single teachers had to go to a dinner party — his treat , at a fancy hotel . If anyone didn’t show up , it would be seen as rude .
He even called Teresa out by name , saying she absolutely had to come . She had already tried to get out of it several times , but if she skipped again , she thought Lysander would probably make things hard for her .
She went home first to take care of Michael , making sure he was okay and telling him to stay home and be good . Michael wanted to go with her , asking her to take him along .
“ I bought you a new toy . Play with it , and if you get tired , just go to sleep . I’ll be watching you through the home camera . If anything happens , call me and I’ll come back as quickly as I can , ” she told him .
“ Sorry , sweetie . Teresa pinched his cheek . “ It’s just a school dinner . I’ve already said no a few times . But if I skip again , Lysander will be mad . I’ll eat fast and come right back , I promise . ”
“ Okay , but bring me back some snacks , ” Michael said .
“ Sure , Teresa replied .
She left the house dressed simply – white shirt , jeans , flats , and her hair loosely pinned with a hair stick . Then she headed
out .
When she got to the hotel restaurant , all the teachers had already arrived . She smiled apologetically and sat next to a female teacher .
Lysander grinned , “ You’re late , Teresa . You owe us a drink as punishment . ”
This time , Teresa was ready . Remembering the baby in her belly , she said , “ I can’t drink . Let me toast with juice instead . ”
She took a sip of juice . Lysander didn’t push her anymore .
There were about a dozen teachers there . Teresa just wanted to finish eating and go home . But right across from the restaurant was a karaoke bar , and Lysander — already tipsy — insisted that no one could leave until they had sung a song .
Lysander called her out again , not letting her slip away . Two female teachers linked arms with her .
One of them , about Teresa’s age , accidentally brushed her arm against Teresa’s chest . Her eyes went wide . “ Wow , Teresa , you look so skinny , but you’re actually pretty stacked .”
Teresa gave an awkward smile and moved a little farther away . Lately , because of the pregnancy , her chest had started to grow again , just like when she was pregnant with Michael . It had lasted a month and had been really sore .
She thought , ‘ Don’t tell me this is a boy again . Two sons will be way too much to handle . I really hope it’s a girl this time- someone sweet and smart , who won’t give me so much to worry about .’
They soon reached the karaoke bar . Teresa hadn’t sung in ages . The big private room was full of flashing , colorful lights that
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kept changing and made her feel even more out of place .
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Lysander ordered fruit plates , beer , and cocktails . A few teachers who could sing well took the mic first . Teresa clapped politely now and then but mostly kept her head down , playing with her phone .
Suddenly , a guy pushed the microphone her way . She quickly waved her hands . The guy said . “ Come on , Teresa ! You look like you’d have a great singing voice . ”
“ I really can’t sing , ” Teresa insisted .
“ If you don’t sing , you’re missing out . This is the nicest karaoke bar in Everport , and Lysander’s paying for it ! ”
Feeling pressured , Teresa picked a simple song , walked to the front , and focused on the lyrics on the screen . She had sung just one line when a rough , grating voice suddenly came from behind her .
Lysander grabbed another mic and came right next to Teresa , singing along with her .
Teresa felt a wave of disgust . The female teachers behind her looked uncomfortable , but since Lysander was the principal , no one said anything .
Still singing . Lysander picked up a cocktail from the table and handed it to Teresa , his eyes looking her over in a sleazy way -clearly wanting her to drink with him .
Teresa waved him off , saying she couldn’t handle alcohol . She quietly stepped back , showing both embarrassment and irritation on her face .
But Lysander was way out of line . He put down the mic , grabbed another glass , and insisted Teresa take it , clearly wanting to do a cringey linked – arms toast with her .
A few drunk male colleagues started egging him on , while the female teachers wanted to help but could only watch Lysander act shamelessly and silently feel sorry for Teresa .
When Teresa still refused to take the drink , Lysander lost his temper and tried to grab her wrist . Teresa pulled her hand away , and the glass fell to the floor .
Blue cocktail splashed all over Teresa’s white shirt . One of the female teachers couldn’t take it anymore and quickly handed Teresa her jacket to cover up .
Teresa took the jacket and thanked her . “ Sorry for the trouble , I need to go to the restroom . ”
Lysan
n annoyance . Already tipsy , his cheeks flushed , and his greasy forehead shone even brighter as he
away .
rustration , “ Seriously , what’s there to be shy about ? Forget her . Let’s just keep drinking .”
down , Teresa hurried into the restroom . Seeing no one else there , she took off her colleague’s jacket and set it then looked down at her own chest .
Her white blouse was completely soaked with blue cocktail . She had tried wiping it with tissues over and over , but it only made it worse – her collar was stained blue .
“ Unbelievable , ” she muttered to herself , silently cursing Lysander .
Spotting some soap and hand wash nearby , Teresa took off her blouse , scrubbed the blue stains with soap , and planned to dry it under the hand dryer .
Just as she was focused on cleaning her shirt , a stall door behind her suddenly swung open . She looked up .
In the mirror , she saw the face of the man who had haunted her dreams just last night . She froze , the soap slipping from her
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