Chapter 387

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“ Mom , Grandma and Isabel came over . I didn’t want to open the door , but
ut Grandma asked me to do so , so I did , ” said Michael ,
“ Oh , really ? ” Teresa slowly made her way upstairs . Evelyn and Isabel were already inside ,
“ Mom ” Michael ran over to Teresa , and she held him in her arms , “ Grandma said I’ve gotten tater , Michael said .
“ Yeah . ” Teresa shot Evelyn a questioning look She thought , ‘ Didn’t she say she was leaving ? Why show up here now ?
Evelyn’s eyes were red , like she’d been crying . Something was definitely wrong .
“ Mike , can you take Isabel to your room and play ? I need to talk to your grandma alone ,” Teresa said .
Once the kids were in the room , Teresa closed the door . Evelyn immediately collapsed onto Teresa’s bed , looking completely drained .
“ I lost money . A lot of it , ” said Evelyn .
Teresa was surprised . “ What do you mean ? ”
That was when Evelyn finally told the whole story . When she came back for Jennifer’s engagement , she invested in some overseas products . She put in all her money , except for Jennifer’s dowry , but lost it all . She even owed over 1 million dollars
She sighed , “ I really regret it . Unless I can find Charlie and make him give back everything he took from me , there’s nothing I can do . ” Evilyn pulled out a card and handed it to Teresa . “ There’s 1.5 million dollars . Take it . This is yours . ”
Teresa was stunned , wondering What did she mean ? This is for me ? ”
Evelyn didn’t look at Teresa and just kept talking , “ I promised you a dowry . I gave Jennifer hers , so I have to give you yours too . There’s actually another million dollars , but I’ll have to cam that back first . ”
Evelyn , usually so loud , could barely get the last part out . Her voice got quieter and quieter .
Teresa could hardly believe it . It was like money falling from the sky . “ So you’ve been saving up 2.6 million dollars for my dowry all along ? ”
Evelyn turned her face away , pursed her lips , and didn’t say a word .
Teresa’s heart warmed and her voice softened . “ You worked hard for this money . Keep it . You need it . Be careful and don’t let anyone trick you again . Take your time to get back on your feet . Don’t rush . ”
Evelyn said , “ The investment manager was a man . I guess I’m just destined to be fooled by men my whole life .
“ I booked a flight for tonight . I’m heading to Ferlandia first and then to Elarioa . Once I’ve made back what I lost , come straight back for Isabel . ”
Teresa asked , “ Come back for Isabel ? What’s that supposed to mean ? ”
Evelyn said , “ I can’t take isabel with me now . In Fernlandia , I had a nanny and could watch her , but now I’m rarely home and don’t trust anyone else . You know how to care for kids . I’m leaving Isabel with you . ”
Teresa’s face turned cold . “ Take your money . I’m not babysitting for you . ”
“ It’s just for two months at most . Don’t be so heartless , Teresa . Have a little pity on me , will you ? really have no one else to turn to but you . ”
Evelyn grabbed Teresa’s hand , but Teresa stayed silent , 1.5 million dollars for two months of babysitting . Honestly , it was not a bad deal . That was over 750 thousand dollars a month .
Evelyn hugged Teresa and then suddenly said , “ Listen to me . Find someone and get remarried . If it weren’t for his mother , Jonathan would’ve been a great son in – law
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Teresa pushed her away . “ Mind your own business . Take care of yourself , I’m not seeing you out . ”
“ I’ll go say goodbye to Isabel before I leave . ” Evelyn hugged Isabel , kissed her cheek , and said softly , “ Sweetheart , I have to go away for a little while , Stay with Teresa , okay ?
“ Give me a kiss , honey . That’s my good girl . I will be back soon . I promise . ”
Not long after Evelyn left , Isabel started crying and pulling at the door , calling for her mom
Her crying really got on Teresa’s nerves . Michael used to cry too , but never this sharp . Teresa yelled , “ Stop crying . ”
Isabel’s wailing paused for a few seconds . Then , still sobbing , she turned around and made a pleading gesture to Teresa “ Teresa , I want Mommy_
Seeing Isabel beg like that , Teresa couldn’t help but mock herself , “ You and your mom both love playing the gut card , huh? ”
Michael looked up at Teresa and asked , “ Mom , where did Grandma go ? ”
“ She went overseas . She’ll be back soon , ” Teresa replied .
Isabel just cried even harder , her voice getting louder , Michael handed her a tissue and said , “ Isabel , don’t cry . Mom said Grandma will be back soon . ”
Isabel knocked Michael’s hand away and kept crying to Teresa .
Teresa lost her temper , pulled Michael into her arms , and checked his little hand Michael said he was fine . Teresa hugged him tight and snapped at Isabel , “ Don’t hit my son . If you keep crying . I’ll sell you . ”
sed to get the message and immediately stopped crying , only sniffling quietly .
Isabel seemed t
Teresa spoke slowly and clearly , “ Even if you’re the elder and my son calls you Aunt , this is my house . My rules . If you want to stay here , you need to be polite . Do you understand ? ”
Two – year – old Isabel couldn’t really understand what was going on , but Teresa’s stern tone scared her . “ Teresa , hug … ”
“ No hugs ,” Teresa said , remembering back in Fernlandia when Isabel tore up the autograph Jonathan gave Michael , which made him so upset .
That time , it happened at Evelyn’s house , so Teresa let it go . But now , this was her own home , and she wasn’t about to let her half – sister get away with it .
“ Pick up the tissues on the floor and apologize to Michael , Say you / e sorry , and then maybe I’ll think about hugging you , ” Teresa said .
Isabel did as she was told , rubbed her red , puffy eyes , and stammered out an apology
“ It’s okay ,” Michael replied , glancing up a
at Teresa .
Teresa squeezed his little hand . “ She hit you , so of course , she should apologize . Don’t feel bad about accepting it . ”
isabel tugged at Teresa’s hand , trying to win her over . “ Teresa , I’m hungry . I want steak ”
Michael grabbed Toresa’s other hand . “ Mom , I want bread . ”
Teresa nodded , “ We’ll have bread .”
Michael spun around happily . “ Yay , we’re having pread . ”
Isabel lowered her head , tears falling as she quietly wiped them away , feeling a little wronged .
Michael let out a little sigh . “ Mom , it’s fine . Let’s just have steak . ”
Teresa suddenly felt a pang of sadness . She gently stroked Michael’s face and said , “ My silly boy , your feelings matter . Why pretend to want steak when you really just want bread ? ”
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A single tear slid down Teresa’s cheek .
Michael looked up at her , “ Isabel is our
Teresa crouched down , her voice gentle but serious . “ Mike , when we’re at home , I want to put your feelings first . ”
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