Chapter 9

Teresa, holding Melinda's hand, nearly bumped into Julia when she reached the hospital ward door. Rosalie's allergic reaction and the fact that Teresa hadn't prepared the dinner made Julia seethe with anger. Without even looking at who she had bumped into, Julia snapped, "Watch where you're going! Are you in such a hurry?" It wasn't until she looked up that she realized it was Teresa. Julia's anger flared even more. But before she could say another word, Teresa simply stepped around her and continued walking with Melinda. Wendy followed behind, offering Julia a subtle nod as a quiet greeting. Julia froze in place and only thought of giving Teresa a good scolding after a moment. But when she looked back, they were already far ahead. Hurrying after them for a few steps, Julia called out, "Teresa, are you just going to ignore your daughter? What kind of mother are you?" Teresa heard Julia's accusations from behind, but she didn't stop walking. If she were deemed unfit as a mother, then the others would fail miserably in the role. Recalling those years she had spent raising Rosalie, she felt her heart ache with bitterness, yet the Langdon family never seemed to recognize any of her sacrifices. After spatting insults and realizing Teresa could no longer hear her, Julia turned around and returned to the hospital ward. Seeing Cameron holding Rosalie, Julia frowned. "I thought you said you still had work at the company? Why didn't you have Teresa stay with Rosie?" Cameron coaxed Rosalie to lie down before replying, "Rosie comes first. I'll handle work at the company tomorrow." Julia placed the oatmeal she had brought on the bedside table, then scooped some into a small bowl as she muttered, "You're not even keeping an eye on Teresa. She's not looking after Rosie and doesn't even make dinner. I think she's lost her mind." Cameron took the bowl, gently stirring the oatmeal with a spoon. "It's fine. She'll come to her senses in a couple of days." He guessed that Teresa was probably upset, most likely because she had seen him bringing Cecilia back to Joy Garden that day. But he wasn't entirely sure. After feeding Rosalie a few spoonfuls of oatmeal, Cameron seemed to remember something. He handed the bowl to Julia and said, "Mom, keep an eye on Rosie for me. I'm going to find her." By the calendar, it was still Teresa's ovulation period over the past couple of days. If she got pregnant with their second child soon, he wouldn't have to make the monthly trips anymore. Julia assumed Cameron was going to scold Teresa, so she agreed without a second thought. … At the hospital's main entrance, Teresa led Melinda out and stopped at the roadside. Wendy, being a mother herself, naturally understood that Julia's words had hurt Teresa. She had meant to offer some comfort, but before she could speak, Melinda beat her to it. "Aunt Teresa, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that about Rosie." Melinda looked up and stared at Teresa with earnest eyes. She genuinely understood that she had been wrong. After all, Rosalie was Teresa's own daughter, and saying that earlier must have hurt her feelings. Teresa looked down at Melinda, her heart heavy with emotion. She bent down, gently ruffling Melinda's hair. "You didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to apologize. I spoiled Rosie too much." Melinda hugged Teresa, pressing her face against hers. "Aunt Teresa, don't be sad. I'll always stay with you." Teresa felt her nose tingle even more. "Alright, I'm not sad." They were embracing each other until the cab arrived, and Teresa finally stood up. When Wendy saw Teresa looking her way, she smiled. "Teresa, you've changed a lot." Teresa plastered on a self-deprecating smile. "I guess I just realized it too late." Wendy patted her shoulder gently, her tone warm and kind. "It's okay. Let's go home." "Alright." Teresa bent down, ready to get into the taxi, when a low, cold voice called her from behind, "Teresa." She paused and turned to look at Cameron, but the joy and affection that had once shone in her eyes were gone. She looked at him as if he were a stranger. "What's wrong?" she asked. Cameron stepped closer, his voice icy and distant. "Let's have a meal together." Teresa hesitated, unsure of his intentions. In their five years of marriage, this was the first time he had ever suggested having a meal with her of his own accord. But she would never vainly assume that he was doing this because he liked her. She figured he must have seen the divorce agreement she had prepared, which was why he wanted to talk about it. Otherwise, how could he suggest having a meal with her so calmly? At that thought, Teresa agreed. "Sure." After agreeing, she looked at Wendy and Melinda. "Wendy, Melinda, you two go back first." Wendy didn't want to interfere in Teresa's personal matters. Though concerned, she didn't press further. After the cab drove off, Teresa got into Cameron's car without a word. … None of them spoke during the ride. It was eerily quiet in the car. Teresa kept her gaze fixed on the window, lost in thought, so much so that she didn't notice the car was heading toward Willowbrook Garden. It wasn't until the car stopped that she realized they had arrived. She didn't ask any further about the meal. There was no need for that between them. Cameron got out and walked straight into the villa without a word, and Teresa followed silently behind him. He went upstairs, and she followed. When they reached the bedroom, Teresa expected Cameron to bring up the topic of the divorce. Instead, he began taking off his suit jacket. Teresa froze for a moment and quickly turned around. "What are you doing?" she asked. Cameron paused while unbuttoning his shirt. When he saw Teresa facing him with her back, he let out a slight hum. "Do you really think I'm here to have dinner with you on this bed?" Teresa immediately understood—he was talking about having a second child. After all, that bed had only ever been used for continuing the family line. She naturally refused. "Weren't you coming back to sign the agreement?" Cameron looked puzzled. "What agreement?" Teresa finally realized that Cameron probably hadn't even looked at the divorce agreement yet. A bitter smile crept across her face. "The agreement is in the study. You can check it yourself." Cameron, midway through unbuttoning his shirt, froze at her words before buttoning it back up. Rarely did he show such patience. As he left the bedroom and headed toward the study, Teresa's phone rang. She glanced down and saw it was a call from her friend, Zoe Anderson. Without hesitation, she answered. There was a din of noise on Zoe's end of the line. She was probably drunk, and her voice sounded rough and hoarse. "Teresa, I've had too much to drink. Can you come get me?" Worried, Teresa had no choice but to agree. "Alright, send me the address." "Alright, hurry up. I'm afraid I'll get even drunker." "Okay." After ending the call, Teresa saw the address Zoe had sent. She didn't have time to explain anything to Cameron and headed downstairs. Brenda, emerging from the household staff quarters with a coat, happened to see Teresa descending the stairs. "Mrs. Langdon?" In a rush, Teresa quickly said, "Brenda, please tell Cameron that if he has any issues with the agreement after reading it, he can call me to discuss." Brenda looked confused and wanted to ask more, but Teresa had already disappeared into the night.