Chapter 305

304
Teresa took a different route to leave , and the next day , she told Tina , “ Honestly , I just don’t feel anything for your brother . There’s no spark , we’re not a match , and I don’t want to hold him back from finding someone better suited for him . ”
Tina grabbed Teresa’s hand . “ But my brother went home and said he really likes you , Teresa . He said you’re so pretty . If you two had kids , they’d be adorable . ”
Teresa let out a cold laugh and pulled her hand back . “ I’m not interested in your brother , so how could I possibly have kids with him ? What do you take me for ? I can’t stop someone else from having kids with him . He should find someone better . ”
“ Well , that’s not what I meant . I just think you shouldn’t decide so quickly . My brother’s a good guy . Why not get to know him a bit more ? ”
“ No need , Ms. Thompson . I really have no interest in your brother . It’s better for both of us to be clear about it . ”
If it weren’t for the fact that they worked in the same office and saw each other every day , Teresa wouldn’t even bother being this polite to Tina .
Ivy leaned over , curious . “ Which brother are you talking about ? What does he look like ? ”
Tina pulled up a photo of her brother , Ryan , and showed it to Ivy .
Ivy said , “ He looks alright , but honestly , Teresa’s way better looking . ”
Tina just shrugged . “ Marriage isn’t about looks . My brother’s reliable , hardworking , and ambitious . Guys like him are one in a million . ”
Ivy just said , “ Well , it’s all about fate . If it’s not meant to be , don’t force it , Ms. Thompson . ”
Tína sighed , making sure Teresa could hear her . “ When you meet someone with good qualities , you should just settle down . If you keep being picky , you’ll end up with nothing . Even the best – looking men get chubby after marriage . ”
“ My ex never got fat , ” Teresa suddenly blurted out .
Tina and Ivy both froze .
Since she’d already said it , Teresa just went all in . “ Yeah , I was married . My ex was hardworking , tall , good – looking , and never put on weight . ”
Tina laughed , clearly not buying it . “ Come on , Teresa , you’re joking , right? You were married ? Oh my god ! ”
Ivy was skeptical too . “ Wait , Teresa , how old are you? Didn’t you put 27 on your info ? ”
“ I got married young . 22 ,” Teresa replied .
Tina said , “ Well , Teresa , that’s just … ”
Tina didn’t finish , still half in disbelief , and headed off to her next class .
Ivy , who didn’t have class , leaned in , all gossipy . “ For real ? You were married ? Why’d you get divorced ? ”
Teresa didn’t explain but sighed , “ Been divorced for years . Nothing worth mentioning .”
“ Do you have any photos of your ex ? Let me see . How tall ? How handsome ? Did you two look good together ? ”
“ No photos . We deleted each other on WhatsApp ages ago . Go prep for class , ” Teresa said .
1/3
13:17 Thu , 22 May ME
304
ཛཱ 92 %
20
After work , Teresa picked up some pizza and two hamburgers . Michael wouldn’t touch it . He took one bite and immediately started complaining . “ It’s so spicy ! ” Then he chugged his soda .
Michael asked , “ Mom , when do I get to go to kindergarten ? ”
“ Be good , you’ll start next Monday . Tomorrow’s already the weekend , and I talked to your teacher . You’ll go next week , ” Teresa replied .
Michael nodded . “ Mom , I have a question . ”
“ Okay , what is it ? ”
“ Yesterday , when you came home , your eyes were all red . Did you cry ? ” he asked , tugging at Teresa’s sleeve , his face full of
concern .
“ No , I just got something in my eye yesterday . It hurt a bit , but I’m fine now , ” Teresa said , her heart softening as she gently patted Michael’s hair to comfort him .
The truth was , she cried yesterday . But she’d thought it through – her life was her own choice . Sometimes she felt regret or a little sadness , but most of the time , things were calm and peaceful .
She wanted to hold on to this peace . From the moment she chose to leave Nareigh , there was no turning back .
After dinner , Teresa was cleaning up the kitchen while Michael was in his room drawing .
As he drew , he sang , “ Under the blue sky , there’s a big lime tree . On the green grass , there’s a bunch of little muffins – baa , baa , baa ,” all while coloring away .
Teresa didn’t hear her child singing ; she was busy washing the dishes .
Suddenly , her phone rang . The property manager called , asking her to come to the entrance – there was a “ Mr. Lynn ” who wanted to see her .
In her twenty – seven years , she hadn’t met many people with the last name “ Lynn “ . The only one who’d come looking for her was Jonathan . “ May I ask what he wants ? ”
“ Mr. Lynn is drunk . If he’s a friend of yours , could you come check on him ? Maybe take him home if you know where he lives ,” the property manager said .
Teresa put down her phone , pulled on a jacket , and headed downstairs .
“ Mommy , ” Michael called out , wanting to show Teresa his drawing . But Teresa was already gone . He couldn’t find her anywhere , and noticed her phone was still sitting on the table .
Just outside
man sat on the steps with his head down , his long legs stretched out carelessly , hands clasped
Mathan finally looked up . When he saw her face , he frowned and looked away . “ I’m drunk , ” he
ave the property manager call me , ” Teresa replied , turning to go .
Voice drifted after her , slow and lingering . “ So you’re really just going to leave me here ? ”
2/3