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 .”
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 .”
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 .”
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 ? ”
“ 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 .”
“ 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 . ”
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 . ”
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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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 ? ”
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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