Chapter 386

“Mom, Grandma, and Isabel came over. I didn’t want to open the door, but Grandma asked me to, so I did,” said Michael.

“Oh, really?” Teresa slowly made her way upstairs. Evelyn and Isabel were already inside. Michael ran over to Teresa, and she held him in her arms. “Grandma said I’ve gotten taller,” Michael said.

“Yeah.” Teresa shot Evelyn a questioning look. She thought, Didn’t she say she was leaving? Why show up here now? Evelyn’s eyes were red, like she’d been crying. Something was definitely wrong.

“Mike, can you take Isabel to your room and play? I need to talk to your grandma alone,” Teresa said.

Once the kids were in the room, Teresa closed the door. Evelyn immediately collapsed onto Teresa’s bed, looking completely drained.

“I lost money. A lot of it,” said Evelyn.

Teresa was surprised. “What do you mean?”

That was when Evelyn finally told the whole story. When she came back for Jennifer’s engagement, she invested in some overseas products. She put in all her money, except for Jennifer’s dowry, but lost it all. She even owed over $1 million.

She sighed, “I really regret it. Unless I can find Charlie and make him give back everything he took from me, there’s nothing I can do.” Evelyn pulled out a card and handed it to Teresa. “There’s $1.5 million. Take it. This is yours.”

Teresa was stunned. What did she mean? This is for me?

Evelyn didn’t look at Teresa and just kept talking, “I promised you a dowry. I gave Jennifer hers, so I have to give you yours too. There’s actually another million dollars, but I’ll have to get that back first.”

Evelyn, usually so loud, could barely get the last part out. Her voice got quieter and quieter.

Teresa could hardly believe it. It was like money falling from the sky. “So you’ve been saving up $2.6 million for my dowry all along?”

Evelyn turned her face away, pursed her lips, and didn’t say a word.

Teresa’s heart warmed, and her voice softened. “You worked hard for this money. Keep it. You need it. Be careful and don’t let anyone trick you again. Take your time to get back on your feet. Don’t rush.”

Evelyn said, “The investment manager was a man. I guess I’m just destined to be fooled by men my whole life.”

“I booked a flight for tonight. I’m heading to Fernlandia first and then to Elarioa. Once I’ve made back what I lost, I’ll come straight back for Isabel.”

Teresa asked, “Come back for Isabel? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Evelyn said, “I can’t take Isabel with me now. In Fernlandia, I had a nanny and could watch her, but now I’m rarely home and don’t trust anyone else. You know how to care for kids. I’m leaving Isabel with you.”

Teresa’s face turned cold. “Take your money. I’m not babysitting for you.”

“It’s just for two months at most. Don’t be so heartless, Teresa. Have a little pity on me, will you? I really have no one else to turn to but you.”

Evelyn grabbed Teresa’s hand, but Teresa stayed silent. $1.5 million for two months of babysitting. Honestly, it was not a bad deal. That was over $750,000 a month.

Teresa pushed her away. “Mind your own business. Take care of yourself. I’m not seeing you out.”

“I’ll go say goodbye to Isabel before I leave.” Evelyn hugged Isabel, kissed her cheek, and said softly, “Sweetheart, I have to go away for a little while. Stay with Teresa, okay?”

“Give me a kiss, honey. That’s my good girl. I will be back soon. I promise.”

Not long after Evelyn left, Isabel started crying and pulling at the door, calling for her mom. Her crying really got on Teresa’s nerves. Michael used to cry too, but never this sharply. Teresa yelled, “Stop crying!”

Isabel’s wailing paused for a few seconds. Then, still sobbing, she turned around and made a pleading gesture to Teresa. “Teresa, I want Mommy.”

Seeing Isabel beg like that, Teresa couldn’t help but mock herself, “You and your mom both love playing the guilt card, huh?”

Michael looked up at Teresa and asked, “Mom, where did Grandma go?”

“She went overseas. She’ll be back soon,” Teresa replied.

Isabel just cried even harder, her voice getting louder. Michael handed her a tissue and said, “Isabel, don’t cry. Mom said Grandma will be back soon.”

Isabel knocked Michael’s hand away and kept crying to Teresa. Teresa lost her temper, pulled Michael into her arms, and checked his little hand. Michael said he was fine. Teresa hugged him tight and snapped at Isabel, “Don’t hit my son. If you keep crying, I’ll sell you.”

Isabel seemed to get the message and immediately stopped crying, only sniffling quietly.

Teresa spoke slowly and clearly, “Even if you’re the elder and my son calls you Aunt, this is my house. My rules. If you want to stay here, you need to be polite. Do you understand?”

Two-year-old Isabel couldn’t really understand what was going on, but Teresa’s stern tone scared her. “Teresa, hug…”

“No hugs,” Teresa said, remembering back in Fernlandia when Isabel tore up the autograph Jonathan gave Michael, which made him so upset. That time, it happened at Evelyn’s house, so Teresa let it go. But now, this was her own home, and she wasn’t about to let her half-sister get away with it.

“Pick up the tissues on the floor and apologize to Michael. Say you’re sorry, and then maybe I’ll think about hugging you,” Teresa said.

Isabel did as she was told, rubbed her red, puffy eyes, and stammered out an apology.

“It’s okay,” Michael replied, glancing up at Teresa.

Teresa squeezed his little hand. “She hit you, so of course, she should apologize. Don’t feel bad about accepting it.”

Isabel tugged at Teresa’s hand, trying to win her over. “Teresa, I’m hungry. I want steak.”

Michael grabbed Teresa’s other hand. “Mom, I want bread.”

Teresa nodded, “We’ll have bread.”

Michael spun around happily. “Yay, we’re having bread!”

Isabel lowered her head, tears falling as she quietly wiped them away, feeling a little wronged.

Michael let out a little sigh. “Mom, it’s fine. Let’s just have steak.”

Teresa suddenly felt a pang of sadness. She gently stroked Michael’s face and said, “My silly boy, your feelings matter. Why pretend to want steak when you really just want bread?”

A single tear slid down Teresa’s cheek.

Michael looked up at her, “Isabel is our…”

Teresa crouched down, her voice gentle but serious. “Mike, when we’re at home, I want to put your feelings first.”