Chapter 76
Teresa, holding her son in the back seat, couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with William. His uncharacteristic silence was unprecedented in front of her and Croissant.
"William, is there something on your mind?" Teresa asked, sensing that William seemed troubled.
He glanced at them through the rearview mirror, and shook his head slightly. "It's nothing, just some issues at the company, that's all."
"There is still some time before diplomatic service exams. Why don't I help out at the company with you and Dad for a while?" If it was company business that was troubling William, Teresa naturally felt it was her duty to offer her assistance.
"No need, you should focus on your exam prep," William said seriously, eyes on the road as he gently declined her offer, yet a rare touch of sadness lingered in his profound gaze, stubbornly unyielding. "Besides, you've only just become part of the Garcia family — there's so much for you to get used to and prepare for, including your wedding. When are you planning on having it?"
Teresa shook her head. "I'm not planning on having a wedding with him any time soon. We'll see about that in the future."
Who knows, they might be separated in no time!
"Alas..." William glanced at Teresa and her son in the rearview mirror. "With Gabriel, there's no telling how many women are out there desperately to throw themselves at him. How can you not... value what you have?"
"Really?!" Teresa had spent the last few years abroad, oblivious to Gabriel's and the Garcia family's affairs, genuinely clueless about the situation. "Let those women try their luck then; the point is that Croissant has a dad."
"You..." William shook his head, helpless but understanding.
He knew deep down Teresa must have feelings for Gabriel; otherwise, she wouldn't gamble with her marriage and her lifelong happiness for the sake of Croissant.
But she just wasn't ready to admit it to herself.
Suddenly, an image of a woman far colder than Teresa flashed through his mind, causing the corners of his mouth to curve into a bitter, mocking smile.
After so many years, it was time to let go. He really needed to move on.
...
The car cruised smoothly and swiftly, pulling into the Bennett family's estate. However, as they approached the driveway, Teresa noticed William stealing a glance out the car window for a brief moment.
Curious, she followed his gaze and saw a woman standing beside another car. Due to the poor lighting and seeing only the woman's profile, Teresa couldn't make out her identity.
Once they arrived inside the estate and before William parked the car, his phone rang.
He didn't answer, instead waiting until the car was safely in the garage and the engine shut off before he finally picked up the phone.
Teresa expected him to answer the call, but instead, he promptly hung up.
" Uncle William, your phone call," Croissant, sounding sleepy, pointed at William's phone in his childish voice.
"William, why didn't you answer?" Teresa was equally curious.
"Just a nuisance call," he dismissed. Putting his arm around Teresa's shoulders, William ushered her inside the house.
Teresa cast a glance at him, sensing something off about his demeanor, yet she chose not to pry further.
After their day, the little one was wiped out. Upon arriving home, Teresa promptly bathed the tot while William retreated to his study.
No sooner had he entered his study than his phone started to buzz.
He ignored it, muted the device, and tossed it on the desk.
"William, what will it take for you to forgive me? Just say it, and I'll do anything!" Message after message went unanswered until a text arrived, catching William's eye. He immediately shut his eyes, slumping wearily into his chair.
He had kept vigil for two days and nights during Patrick's critical condition without so much as a wink of sleep, yet none of that compared to his present exhaustion.
If he had been so resolute and heartless to sever all ties before, why bother with the entanglements now?
William had been on the verge of letting go completely.
"William, I'm so so sorry. Can we meet? If you won't see me today, I'll wait right outside your gate." The screen lit up with another message from the same number.
But William didn't look, just sat motionless, his eyes closed and leaning back in his chair until, without warning, his eyes snapped open. He rose from the executive chair with a swoosh, swept a glance at his phone, and strode out...
...
"William, what's wrong?" Teresa, having just bathed Croissant and on her way down to make some milk, bumped into William coming in. His eyes were bloodshot, the seething anger inside him yet to subside completely, and she couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"It's nothing, take care of Michael," William said, brushing past her without a glance and heading upstairs.
"Was that woman outside here for you?" Teresa pursued him up the steps, a nagging feeling in her gut.
"No!" William exhaled sharply and denied it without hesitating, "I just took a call outside. Business stuff."
"William, why are you lying to me?" Teresa wasn't convinced and grabbed him by the arm.
She'd never seen William get this worked up over business matters or look this downcast.
He gave her a small smirk, ruffled her short hair affectionately, and said, "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Get some rest."
With that, William continued up the stairs.
Teresa watched him go, biting her lip and raising an eyebrow.
Despite being siblings, the difference in their personalities was like night and day.
William had a way of shouldering everything solo, stoically keeping his struggles to himself, with little regard for how much others might urge him to open up — it was futile.
Alright then! If he was tight-lipped, Teresa was at her wit's end.
Right then, Teresa's phone came to buzz in her pocket. She glanced at the screen. It was Gabriel calling.
Phone in hand and holding a freshly warmed glass of milk, she ascended the stairs while answering the call.
"Honey, I'm missing you," cooed a voice, syrupy with sentiment, the moment she picked up.
Teresa shuddered, her skin erupting in goosebumps. "Gabriel, use my name, please."
"Sweetie —"
"Teresa." She cut him off before he could continue with that particular endearment.
On the other end, Gabriel, standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows in his study, let out a chuckle and corrected himself. "Teresa, I'm missing you."
"Okay, I got it. I need to go now."
"Aren't you missing me?" His voice, now laced with a playful rasp, reached her just as she was about to end the call.
Teresa felt faint, "Not one bit, truly."
"I want to video chat with the kiddo." Sensing her annoyance, Gabriel swiftly changed the subject.
"Croissant's already bathed, had his milk, brushed his teeth, and gone to bed — you’d better not disturb his sleep," Teresa said firmly. Croissant was on a strict schedule, and the last thing she wanted was for an exciting, sleepless night because of a video call.
So, she stood her ground with a firm no.
"Are you making milk for the baby?"
"All done! I'm hanging up now."
"Sweetheart, from now on, let me handle milk duty for our little one," Gabriel continued unabashed, eager to stay on the line with Teresa.
Teresa, now at the top of the stairs and nearing the nursery, stopped and sighed. "Gabriel, can you please just remember to call me by my name?"
"Alright, Teresa, I'll take over the milk-making for the baby."
Teresa looked up at the ceiling, her patience worn thin. "Goodnight — I'm hanging up."
And with that, she ended the call.
