Chapter 5

When Teresa woke up again, she was already lying in a hospital bed. Kiara came to check on her condition. She advised Teresa to rest well for a couple of days before being discharged. After leaving the hospital, she should also properly recover from her postpartum. Teresa agreed to it all. She had already decided she would observe a full month of postpartum rest. She had to take care of her own health. After Kiara left, Teresa picked up her phone and glanced at it. Unsurprisingly, there wasn't a single call from Cameron. What happened the night before might have been just a minor episode for them, but for Teresa, it was a major step in her life. It was actually great that she recognized them for who they were. It was better than endless internal conflict and struggle. Subconsciously, Teresa opened up TikTok. The first recommended content was a video from Cecilia. Above the username, a small line of text read, "This person may be someone you know." In the video, Cecilia was holding a child's hand. From the back, Teresa recognized at first glance that it was Rosalie. The caption read, "It feels so good to be needed." The background in the video was clearly Joy Garden's living room. Perhaps because Teresa had gotten used to it, she just smiled faintly. Then, she long-pressed the screen and tapped the words "Not Interested". The days of secretly keeping tabs should also come to an end. After being discharged, Teresa hired a helper to look after her. As soon as she settled down, she rested in bed for a full month. A month later, she settled the helper's wages before changing into a clean maxi dress. Then, she applied light makeup and drove to Riverford. Today was the 15th of the new month, which meant it was the scheduled day for Cameron and Teresa to try for a second child. Actually, when it came to their relations, Teresa hadn't had a particularly satisfying experience. Cameron was always perfunctory with her, as he was rushing to go to Cecilia. But tonight, she wasn't going back to try conceiving a second child. She intended to discuss the divorce properly with Cameron. She arrived at Willowbrook Garden at 7:00 pm. When Brenda saw her return, she prepared dinner for her. After dinner, Teresa went upstairs to the study. The divorce agreement lay on the table, exactly as she had left it last month—untouched. Undoubtedly, Cameron hadn't come back for yet another month. Teresa waited until 9:00 pm. Just as she was growing impatient, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. However, when the door opened, it was Brenda who entered. "Mrs. Langdon, Mr. Langdon just called. He said he has matters to attend to tonight and won't be coming back. He asked you to come back next month instead." Teresa only let out a bitter laugh upon hearing this. Next month? She could come back this month, but not necessarily next month. She was tired and weary of trapping herself in this cage. After hesitating for a moment, Teresa stood up and said to Brenda, "When he comes back next time, tell him that I left something for him on the desk." Brenda lowered her head and replied, "Understood, Mrs. Langdon." Teresa grabbed her bag and left Willowbrook Garden. She drove around, not knowing where to go. She didn't know where she had driven to either, but she soon saw many young people walking out of a gate labeled "Riverford Grand Hall". Soon, the dense crowd dispersed, and the last three people to walk out made Teresa unable to look away. Cameron and Cecilia each held one of Rosalie's hands. The three of them were looking at each other. "Ms. Cece, you were so dazzling and beautiful just now, like a fairy. The piano piece you played was so beautiful. When I grow up, will you teach me too? Please, Ms. Cece?" Rosalie shook Cecilia's arm with both hands, acting adorably. Cecilia wore a long white evening gown. She looked elegant, delicate, and radiant like a star that had fallen into the night. With a warm expression, she leaned slightly toward Rosalie and gently tapped her nose. She said with a laugh, "As long as you like it, I'll definitely teach you." Rosalie jumped with joy, then turned to ask Cameron, "Daddy, isn't Ms. Cece amazing?" Cameron was smiling as he nodded in response. "Yeah." Although he was sparing with words, that simple response was full of joy and admiration. Rosalie was even happier. "When I grow up, I want to be amazing like Ms. Cece, too." Through the windshield, Teresa saw everything clearly. The admiration in her daughter's eyes was something she had never received. But when she thought about it, it made sense. After marriage, she had devoted herself entirely to her husband and child. She gradually neglected her appearance and lost her former hobbies. To Rosalie, she was just a woman who revolved around the kitchen, whereas Cecilia was an unsullied angel. Teresa's heart ached with an intense, sharp pain when she thought of this. At the entrance of the hall, Rosalie spread her arms and jumped on her toes. She fussed around, saying, "Ms. Cece, I want you to carry me." Cameron stopped her promptly. "Rosalie, Ms. Cece is wearing a gown, so it's inconvenient to carry you. We can do it in the car later." When Rosalie heard this, her expression fell. She was clearly displeased. Cecilia quickly bent down and picked her up, then said to Cameron with a smile, "It's alright as long as Rosalie wants me to hold her." Cameron smiled, his gaze filled with indulgent affection. Cecilia carried Rosalie down the steps. Rosalie snuggled against her, hugging and nuzzling her neck. Cameron followed behind, holding up the hem of Cecilia's gown. A titan of the business world who never conceded an inch to his rivals was now bent down to hold the hem of a woman's gown. They got into the car together, and it drove away from there. So this was what Cameron meant when he said he "had matters to attend to". Teresa couldn't help but laugh. After she sat in the car for a long time, her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from the hospital. She answered and politely greeted, "Dr. Murray." Teresa specialized in pediatric surgery. After being a full-time mother for four years and rejoining the workforce, she was now a junior doctor at the hospital. On the other end, Allen Murray said, "Your advanced training can end early. You can return to work at the hospital next week." Teresa hesitated before asking, "Isn't there a volunteer position at the hospital for providing health check-ups for children in the countryside? I'd like to sign up." Allen was somewhat surprised. "Going to the countryside is tough work and doesn't help much with promotion. The hospital only has the quota, and no one is forced to go…" But Teresa had already made up her mind. "Dr. Murray, I'm willing to go. Consider it a vacation for me." When Allen heard how firm she was, he didn't try to persuade her further and finally agreed. "Alright, then you can go there for two months." … Soon, another month passed. Rosalie had also been in school for a month. With two consecutive months of not attempting for a second child, Cameron was pressured by his family again. So, on the 15th, he returned earlier than usual. It wasn't even 6:00 pm when he arrived at Willowbrook Garden. Brenda was quite surprised to see Cameron home. "Mr. Langdon, you're early today." Cameron didn't explain himself. As he headed upstairs, he said to Brenda, "When Mrs. Langdon returns, have her come to the bedroom to see me." Brenda nodded and watched Cameron go up to the second floor. Cameron didn't even pause when he passed by the study and headed straight to the bedroom. His purpose in coming back was only for the second child. There was no need to go elsewhere. After showering, Cameron waited on the bed. 7:00 pm… 8:00 pm… then 9:00 pm. Three hours had passed, and Teresa still hadn't returned. Just as Cameron was growing impatient, footsteps finally sounded outside the door.