Chapter 45 Crossroads of Choice
After dinner, Teresa wandered through the garden, a hand resting on her slightly protruding belly. A kick from within brought a smile to her lips, but her moment of joy was short-lived.
"Teresa."
The voice behind her was unmistakable. She spun around, her hand falling away from her bump.
"Big bro!"
"Did you and Liam have a falling out, or is it over?" William's tone was grave.
"Why do you ask?" Teresa faltered under his scrutinizing gaze.
"I called Liam. He's not on a business trip," William revealed, his eyes searching hers for the truth.
"What did he tell you?" Teresa's voice was a whisper.
"You should be the one telling me." he replied.
"Can you keep it between us for now?" Teresa's eyes pleaded for discretion.
William sat down, his demeanor serious. "Tell me everything. Are you the reason it ended?"
Teresa's stance was sheepish, her guilt evident. "It was my fault."
"What did you do?" William probed.
"Just drop it, please? It's about me, not Liam," Teresa begged, her eyes brimming with unspoken stories.
William's concern was clear. "By pushing Liam away, have you thought about the consequences for our family?" He paused, then continued, "But it's fine. Our parents never wanted to use you for gain. They just want your happiness."
"William, I'm sorry, I..."
"Enough," William interrupted. "We all want your happiness. Liam's a good man. I hope a misunderstanding hasn't ruined everything."
"It's my fault," Teresa insisted, avoiding the details.
William respected her silence. "Okay, I'll leave it for now. But if I find out you're in trouble, be ready for me to step in."
Teresa laughed off the warning, her mood lightening.
Weeks flew by, and Teresa's pregnancy progressed. Diana's constant companionship in Jena made the days bearable, filled with anticipation rather than anxiety.
As spring turned to summer, Teresa's condition became obvious. The cultural acceptance abroad eased some of her worries, and Diana's unwavering support kept her grounded.
Learning she was expecting a boy brought mixed feelings; she had hoped for a girl but welcomed the idea of a son with a protective streak.
After a doctor's appointment, Diana had to leave. Teresa encouraged her, insisting she'd be fine alone.
As Teresa left the supermarket, her cravings were satisfied, she didn't notice the black Bentley behind her. Gabriel, inside, eyes was fixated on her. His unexpected glimpse of her pregnant figure had left him reeling.
Gabriel couldn't understand Teresa's choices. The Bennett family's success had been bolstered by the Evans, and yet Teresa risked it all. What drove her?
"Follow that cab," Gabriel ordered, his voice betraying a hint of urgency.
Finley, the driver, recognized the signs of a man smitten, recalling Gabriel's excuses to see Teresa. His boss was in deep, and Finley wondered if Gabriel was chasing a lost cause.
The supermarket was a familiar place to Teresa. Gabriel, hidden behind a shelf, watched her every move, his heart softening despite the distance between them.
A near-accident with a shopping cart and a little boy brought Gabriel out of hiding. Teresa's gaze met his, and the tension was palpable.
She brushed off the encounter and left abruptly, her heart in turmoil.
Outside, Gabriel followed her to her apartment, prompting Teresa to confront him angrily.
"Stop following me, or I'll call the cops," she threatened.
Gabriel's response was cheeky, but Teresa wasn't surprised. "Stay away, or I'll call the police."
Her attempt to leave was thwarted by Gabriel's grip on her wrist, which he quickly released when she resisted.
"I've missed you," he confessed, but Teresa wasn't feeling the same. She snapped back with an insult and stormed off.
Gabriel's offer to divorce Unity and marry her was met with a slap. His reaction was nonchalant, a mix of pain and pleasure at her touch.
Teresa left him standing there, her anger leaving a lasting impression.
Later, as William's car stopped nearby, he spotted Gabriel. Before he could greet him, Gabriel drove off.
William, puzzled by Gabriel's presence, decided to visit Teresa's apartment later that evening.
The chapter closes with William contemplating his next move, the web of relationships was growing more tangled by the moment.
