Chapter 24
Chapter 24
As Yolanda ignored her, the smile on Teresa’s face faded away.
For the past few days, Teresa hadn’t actively thought about breaking the ice with her daughter.
Yolanda had her own thoughts; she wanted to get along with Naomi, and Teresa didn’t interfere.
If Teresa hadn’t noticed what was troubling Yolanda, she wouldn’t have called out to her.
But her attempt to reach out was still met with indifference, which made Teresa’s heart ache.
Ever since giving birth to Yolanda, Teresa had thought she would be part of every step of her daughter’s life.
But now that Yolanda was in school, this was the first time Teresa had come to the preschool.
The teacher in the toddler class saw Naomi and greeted her with a smile, saying, “Ms. Logon.”
Naomi didn’t correct her. She smiled at the teacher and then waved at Yolanda, saying, “Yolanda, come here.”
Yolanda ran into Naomi’s arms without hesitation, and began crying uncontrollably.
“Miss Naomi, can you take me to school tomorrow? I don’t want to go to Mr. Richard’s anymore.”
Naomi hugged Yolanda, her hand gently rubbing her back. Although she didn’t know exactly what happened, she spoke in a soft, soothing tone. “Alright, alright. From now on, Miss Naomi will take you to preschool?”
Yolanda was calmed down a little but still sobbed intermittently, her shoulders shaking.
Charles walked over, bent down and gently patted Naomi’s shoulder, then quietly reminded her, “You should talk to her.”
Naomi turned to look at Charles, her lips curving into a slight smile as she nodded. “Alright, I understand.”
With that, Naomi took Yolanda’s hand and said, “Yolanda, I wants to discuss something with you, okay?”
From the start, Teresa had been standing nearby, not far away. She observed the interaction between her daughter and Naomi.
Yolanda nodded, wiping her nose as she said, “Mm.”
Naomi gently wiped Yolanda’s nose with a tissue and then asked softly, “Mom wants you to come back and visit your grandparents. Will you go?”
When Yolanda heard this, she instinctively glanced at Teresa, who stood a short distance away, dressed in simple clothes and blending in with the surroundings.
When Teresa had called her earlier, Yolanda had still felt a little happy, but when she thought about being late this morning because of her mother, Yolanda still felt upset.
Without much thought, she immediately refused, “Miss Naomi, I don’t want to go. I want to go home and take a bath.”
She hadn’t bathed last night, and she felt like she stink.
Naomi, though expecting this answer, still tried to be patient, “Yolanda, just stay with Mommy for one night, okay? As a rewards, Daddy and I will take you out this weekend.”
The mention of playing outside made Yolanda a little tempted, but she still insisted, “I don’t want to go. I want to go back to Joyacre Villa and sleep on the big soft bed.
Naomi smiled and pinched Yolanda’s check, “Just one night. This weekend, I will take you wherever you want to go.
Yolanda hesitated, then raised her pinky and said, “Then let’s make a pinky promise.”
Nagini held out her pinky, and after making the promise, she stood up and looked at Charles.
Charles understood Napini’s intention and said to Yolanda, “Think about where you want to go. I’ll plan it in advance
Yolanda excitedly jumped up, clapping her hands, “Yay!”
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Chapter 24
The three of them stood together, and passersby couldn’t help but comment on how harmonious and warm the family seemed.
Teresa stood aside, hearing the people around her remark that Charles and Naomi were a perfect match, and she felt numb. She tried to ignore their words, but still, they disturbed her heart.
It wasn’t until Naomi called her name, “Miss Teresa?” that she snapped back to reality.
Teresa’s gaze, tinged with a slight blush, fell on Naomi. Naomi’s bright and lively demeanor only highlighted the contrast with Teresa’s
weariness.
The two stood face to face, but the treatment each received couldn’t have been more different.
Teresa still couldn’t manage to stay indifferent. Her heart ached, and her voice seemed to tremble, “Mm?”
Naomi said, “Yolanda agreed.”
Naomi trembled slightly, and for a moment, she almost wanted to say “thank you,” but thank her for what?
Naomi was her husband’s lover, and now even her daughter had been taken by her.
The two people Teresa valued most had been taken away by Naomi. What did she have left to thank her for?
In the end, Teresa didn’t say anything. She simply silently extended her hand toward Yolanda and said, “Let’s go.”
Her tone was cold, no longer as kind as it once was.
Yolanda stared at the hand outstretched to her for a long time, and only after Naomi’s gentle reminder did she take it with caution.
After getting Yolanda into the car, securing her backpack, and fastening her seatbelt, Teresa started the car.
On the way back to Sullivan Mansion, Howard called, asking what Yolanda liked to eat. Teresa didn’t give an honest answer; she just told him not to prepare anything special.
She knew Yolanda wasn’t going to this visit willingly, so she didn’t want her parents to get too involved with Yolanda.
After her divorce from Charles, Yolanda would naturally cut ties with her as well.
Throughout the journey, Teresa didn’t say another word to Yolanda, and Yolanda continued playing her mobile game in the backseat.
At 7:30 PM, the car stopped just a few hundred meters from Sullivan Mansion.
Teresa looked at her daughter through the rearview mirror. She sighed deeply, and despite herself, she called out to Yolanda,
Yolanda didn’t look away from her phone screen but reluctantly responded with an “Mm.”
Teresa, trying to be patient, said, “Don’t play with your phone while in the car. It will hurt your eyes.”
Yolanda, a little impatient, put the phone down but didn’t seem very pleased.
Teresa turned around to face her daughter and said, “Mom wants to talk to you about something.”
Yolanda felt a little moved by her mother’s tone, since Teresa had been distant lately, but now she was speaking kindly.
“MIL
Teresa, knowing that Yolanda was a thoughtful child, didn’t directly ask her what was wrong. Instead, she gently led the conversation, “Are you happy at East Street Preschool?”
“Mm.”
“Do the jeachers treat you well?”
“Mm.”
Are any kids bullying you at school?
Nu
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Chapter 24
Yolanda’s indifference made Teresa’s heart ache even more, but she still tried to be patient, “If any kids bully you, remember to tell the teacher. If the teacher doesn’t do anything, tell your dad. He’ll take care of it for you.”
“No one dares to bully me at school. They all know Daddy drives a fancy car, and Miss Naomi wears designer clothes. They’re so powerful, no one would bully me.”
Yolanda felt that Teresa was over–worrying.
Seeing Yolanda’s sharp attitude toward her, Teresa smiled faintly and said, “Alright, maybe I’m just worrying too much.”
As she straightened up, she added, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to meet Grandpa and Grandma. They’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
After getting out of the car, Yolanda stood beside Teresa and asked in confusion, “Who are Grandpa and Grandma?”
Teresa answered, “They’re my father and mother.”
“Then why have I never met them?” Yolanda asked, even more puzzled.
Teresa didn’t know how to respond. After thinking for a while, she said, “It’s my negligence.”
Halfway there, Yolanda suddenly stopped in her tracks and said, “I don’t want to meet them. I don’t even know them.”
Teresa also stopped and looked at her daughter for a long time. Finally, she smiled bitterly and said, “Just this once. I won’t bring you here again.”
After this night, their bond would be severed.