Chapter 4

When the car door opened, Cameron shielded the top of the door and extended a hand to Cecilia. The moment their fingers intertwined, Teresa also turned around. She was unexpectedly composed despite witnessing this heartwrenching scene. Perhaps it was because she had figured things out, which was why she appeared so calm at this moment. If it were before, she would have cried her heart out. But now, she just wanted to ask Cameron what he meant when he said Cecilia was more suitable to be a mother than her. "Cameron, what do you mean by that?" Teresa's lips quivered slightly, and her voice also changed pitch. Cecilia got out of the car, her hand resting on Cameron's. Under the moonlight, two shadows stretched long on the ground. Cameron acted as if he hadn't heard Teresa and moved to enter Joy Garden with Cecilia. Teresa had lost count of how many times she had been ignored. Her heart had long been riddled with holes, but she just couldn't let go of the matter of Rosalie yet. Hence, she stepped forward and somehow mustered the strength to grab Cameron's wrist. She shouted at him, "Cameron, tell me!" Finally, Cameron stopped and turned back. He looked at Teresa with a cold and indifferent gaze. He twisted his wrist, easily pulling his hand free, and said, "You're busy with work, and Rosalie is still young. She needs someone to take care of her. "Once you're pregnant with the second child, Rosalie will also be handed over to Cecilia to care for." Cameron had always been like this. He never discussed his decisions with Teresa and only informed her in a commanding tone. But this time, Teresa wouldn't let him make decisions as he wished anymore. Moreover, when she had decided to go to the neighboring state for her advanced training, she had already found a nanny for Rosalie in advance. It wasn't until last month that she discovered Cameron had already fired the nanny. During Teresa's six-month business trip, Cecilia had moved into Joy Garden. She lived a sweet life as a family of three with Cameron and Rosalie. Teresa hadn't thought of making a scene because she still held a glimmer of hope that Cameron acknowledged her status as his wife. But without her knowledge, her daughter had also been taken away. How could Teresa just leave gracefully? When it came to the question of who would take care of Rosalie, Teresa lost her composure. Her tone grew agitated as she said, "I can take care of my own child. There's no need for an outsider." Cameron completely ignored Teresa's stance and simply said commandingly, "It's settled." Teresa became angry, shedding her usual gentle demeanor. She resisted, loudly saying, "I said, I can take care of her myself!" The atmosphere grew tense. Cecilia, who was standing behind Cameron, could tell the situation had escalated. She said softly, "Cam, go ahead and talk to Ms. Sutton. I'll go inside to check on Rosalie." Cameron nodded in acknowledgment, and only then did Cecilia head toward Joy Garden. At that moment, Teresa yelled, "Cecilia, stop right there!" As soon as Cecilia turned around, a slap landed on her face. It was from Teresa. When Cameron snapped back to his senses, he stepped forward and pushed Teresa away. Then, he supported Cecilia, asking with a pained look in his eyes, "Are you okay?" Cecilia covered her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she looked pitiful and aggrieved. Cameron was extremely worried. He blew on her cheek and touched it gently, but Teresa didn't think Cecilia had been wronged in the slightest. What normal woman would get so close to a married man with a child? Of course, it took two to tango. Cameron wasn't any better either. Teresa was about to say something when a small figure came running out of Joy Garden. Rosalie was running frantically and wasn't even wearing shoes. Upon reaching them, she threw herself at Cecilia and hugged her leg. She looked up to ask, "Ms. Cece, does it hurt? I'll blow on it for you, okay?" Rosalie was about to sleep when she saw Cameron's car through the window. She knew he had brought Cecilia home, so she came downstairs to greet them. Just as she reached the door, she saw Teresa slap Cecilia. She had rushed out so quickly that she left without her shoes. Teresa stood to the side, watching her husband and daughter comfort an outsider with such concern. At that moment, she heard the sound of her own heart breaking. However, Teresa still refused to believe that her own flesh and blood could turn on her. She stretched out a trembling hand and muttered, "Ro—" Before she could fully call out Rosalie's name, Rosalie turned around angrily. She rushed up to Teresa and started hitting her with her hands. "Bad Mommy! Bad Mommy! You hit Ms. Cece! You're a bad mommy! I don't want a bad mommy like you!" Teresa froze in place, and her face instantly turned deathly pale. At that moment, she suddenly realized that the custody she had been so determined to fight for was nothing but her own wishful thinking. Her husband and daughter didn't need her at all. Standing here now, Teresa felt like a joke. What was even more absurd was that she had actually gotten pregnant with a second child for a man who didn't love her at all. Teresa couldn't tell how long Rosalie hit her or when she stopped. She also couldn't hear what exactly she said. The words "bad mommy" were enough to kill all her hopes. Teresa stood blankly for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. Without looking at Cameron or Rosalie again, she turned and walked away. Behind her, Cameron and Rosalie surrounded Cecilia. They kept showing their concern for her and comforting her, unaware that Teresa had already left. After turning the corner, Teresa still couldn't help but look back at the two people she had cherished the most for the past five years. A big figure and a small figure held Cecilia's hands as they walked toward Joy Garden together. It was such a warm and harmonious scene, as if they were the real family of three. Teresa smiled. She felt heartbroken and wanted to cry, but not a single tear fell. These five years had drained her spirit and energy. She had always put them first, but from now on, she wouldn't do that anymore. Teresa left Joy Garden and walked a long distance alone. Along the way, she recalled the bits and pieces of the past five years. She had long understood she shouldn't waste herself on such a relationship, but she had never been willing to face the truth. But now, she had figured it out. From now on, she would love herself properly. Teresa took a cab back to Willowbrook Garden. In the study, she drafted a new divorce agreement. They would split the assets equally, and she would give up the custody of her daughter. After neatly placing the completed agreement on the desk, Teresa drove back to the neighboring state overnight. … Teresa went to the hospital early in the morning after resting for the night. Today, the obstetrician on duty was her university classmate, Kiara Moran. Kiara knew a bit about Teresa's marital situation. When she heard Teresa's strong decision to get rid of the baby, Kiara was surprised. "This child didn't come easily. Why give it up now? Even if there are problems with your relationship, you can still keep the child and leave the father." Teresa was seated across from Kiara as she calmly explained, "Kiara, I'm a woman. As a woman, the greatest form of self-discipline is not to have children recklessly. Moreover, my life is also precious. I've already made up my mind. Please schedule the surgery for this morning." The old Teresa was dead. From now on, she would only love herself and those who loved her. As for those who didn't love her, she didn't want them anymore.