When She Turns Her Back (Teresa and Charles) novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176

Chapter 176

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Troy watched her, quiet too long, and anxiety started to creep in. “Teresa–did that old hack say something to piss you off?”

He’d paid the guy to tell her she was meant for him, after all.

But since he hadn’t been there himself, Troy had no clue what the old man actually said to her.

He was worried the old man might’ve messed it up and made Teresa upset.

Her cold silence only ratcheted up his nerves.

He turned, muttering, “I’m gonna go ask him what he said. How dare he upset you—I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”

o scene.”

His sudden fire startled her. She grabbed his hand, pulling him back. “Troy, don’t. It’s fine–no

“Come on, tell me what he said,” he pressed, not letting it drop.

Teresa wasn’t about to let Troy in on what the old man had really said, so she invented a lie on the spot. “He said I’m not just doomed to die young–I’ll curse any man I marry, too. Told me after the divorce, I ought to stay single. Otherwise, I’ll just bring disaster on myself and everyone else.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when Troy hauled her into his arms, one hand hovering near her lips as he urged, urgent and flustered, “Spit it out! Spit three times–knock on wood! Don’t you dare say that kind of thing, Teresa.”

Teresa had been indifferent to the lie she’d cooked up, but she hadn’t expected Troy to take it so hard.

She went still, caught off guard, not sure what to make of his reaction.

Seeing her freeze, he only grew more anxious, giving her arm a gentle shake. “Come on, Teresa–spit it out. You’re gonna make me lose my mind here.”

She finally lifted her gaze to his, her voice soft. “Even if I spit, it won’t change a thing. Fate is fate, right?”

Troy had no idea what the old man said, but he took her tone as truth.

The way she brushed it off–like it didn’t matter–twisted something in him. He pulled her tighter, pressing his chin to her shoulder, his voice low and fierce with conviction. “Teresa, even if you are bad luck for every man under the sun, I still wanna marry you. If you’re gonna die young… then I’ll trade my years for yours. All I want is you. Just you. Forever.”

His grip was so tight she could barely draw a breath, but his words hit her square in the chest–made her think, unbidden, of the old man’s claim that Troy was her destined one.

Could there be any truth to it?

Maybe Troy really was a good man, beneath the tabloid gossip.

She’d never actually seen him with another woman, save for Sherry.

She didn’t struggle or push him away.

As he held her, he seemed afraid, his body trembling ever so slightly.

She was about to confess it was all a joke, but the words died on her lips when her phone rang.

Troy loosened his hold at the sound, his voice rough. “Answer it.”

She glanced up, and her heart twinged–his eyes were red, the corners glistening.

She couldn’t tell if he had cried, but the sight made her throat tight.

The phone kept ringing, so she fished it out. Sharon’s name flashed on the screen.

After a split–second hesitation, she swiped to answer.

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10:39 AM MP

Chapter 176

Sharon’s voice came through, frazzled. “Mrs. Logan, thank God. I’ve been trying to reach Me

The worry in her tone made Teresa’s frown deepen. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Logan, but he’s not picking up.”

“Yolanda’s got a fever. I went up to check on her, and she’s soaked through with sweat. I took her temp–104. It’s bad, Mrs. Logan,” Sharon said.

Teresa’s pulse spiked, but she kept her voice steady. “Sharon, give her the fever reducer first. I’ll be right there.”

“Got it,” Sharon said.

“Call me if it goes up,” Teresa added. “I’m gonna find Yolanda’s dad.”

Sharon agreed and hung up.

Troy had caught enough of the conversation to feel his mood plummet, but he still nodded at her, concerned.

“You’re heading back?” he asked.

“I need to find Charles,” she said, already turning toward the market stalls.

But after a few steps, she stopped, turned back to Troy, and said, “Go on ahead. Next time, I’ll hang out with you.”

Her words softened the edge of his disappointment, but only a little.

Then he remembered–she’d promised to marry him once, too, and that had never come to pass. The hope fizzled out.

But Teresa was already hurrying off, too focused on Yolanda to notice his shift in mood.

Troy hesitated, then fell into step behind her.

They spotted Charles and Naomi up ahead, browsing a jewelry cart, and Teresa didn’t waste a second.

She marched over, grabbing Charles by the arm. “Yolanda’s got a 104 fever. We need to get her to the hospital–now.”

A 104 fever in a kid wasn’t something to mess with–one wrong move, and there could be complications.

Yolanda was tough, but Teresa wasn’t taking chances.

If she let this slide and something happened… she’d never forgive herself.

Charles froze, his face going pale. He stared at her, like he couldn’t quite process it, then fumbled for his phone, calling Sharon to confirm.

The second Sharon’s voice came through, confirming the fever, he lost his composure entirely.

Teresa remembered–Charles had taken Yolanda from Joyacre Villa to the hospital earlier that night to visit Naomi.

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Naomi had wanted Yolanda to stay overnight, but Sharon had called, mentioning school the next day, so Charles had brought her back.

So Naomi’d pouted, saying she couldn’t sleep without Yolanda there–so she’d asked Charles to stay, to take her out for a walk instead.

That’s how they’d wound up in the old town, its streets humming with life.

They just hadn’t counted on running into Teresa.

Not even two hours prior, they’d been arguing over Yolanda.

And now? Now the kid was burning up with a fever?

Charles might’ve been quick to question Teresa, but he couldn’t doubt Sharon–not when she sounded that frantic.

After hanging up, he turned to Naomi and said gently. “Take your time here. I’ll send someone to grab you in a bit, get you back to the hospital.”

Naomi nodded, her expression soft. “Alright.”

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10:39 AM M

Chapter 176

But Charles lingered, stealing glances at her like he wasn’t sure he should go.

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Naomi’s brow furrowed, and she laid a hand on his arm–her voice warm, earnest. “Charles, I’m fine, really. Yolanda needs you more. Go -hurry. Just call me when you can, okay? I’m so worried about her.”

It was thick, that sweetness–so thick Teresa couldn’t help but frown.

Charles finally stepped back, glancing over his shoulder once more. “Alright. I will,” he said.

Then he and Teresa took off, moving fast.

By the time Troy caught up, all he could see was their backs, shrinking into the crowd.

He stood there, watching them go, his chest tight with a mess of feelings–frustration, and something quieter, like a ache.

Meanwhile, Naomi, still by the jewelry stall, spotted Troy approaching. She smoothed her dress, tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and sauntered over.

“Mr. Hamilton,” she said, her voice soft as she drew near, “care to walk with me?”

Troy dragged his gaze from the emptying street, raising a brow. “Ms. Yates–you mean me?”

Naomi smiled, nodding. “Who else?”

She had thought it would be easy–with her looks, her charm, a man like Troy Hamilton should’ve been putty in her hands.

So she’d made the first move, no shyness about it.

But Troy just shrugged it off and said, “Ms, Yates, getting me to walk with you isn’t exactly a challenge. But let’s be clear–only if your Charles and my girl both say it’s alright. Then sure, I’ll stroll. Till then?” He shrugged, his gaze flicking back toward where Teresa had gone. “I’m otherwise occupied.”

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