When She Turns Her Back Novel

Chapter 417 Chapter 418 Charles stood at the entrance of the concert hall, watching people flow in and out, lost in thought. Thinking about how Naomi had just dazzled on stage, he felt a surge of emotion. 'Maybe being together really is the best ending for them, he thought to himself. But even as he tried to convince himself, there was still a hollow ache in his chest. He stood at the entrance, chain-smoking, one cigarette after another. It wasn't until the smoke made his eyes sting and water that he finally heard a soft, gentle voice murmuring his name.

"Charles." At the sound of that voice, Charles instinctively turned his head. Naomi was standing not far away, her stage makeup still flawless and untouched. Her features were naturally refined, and even the simplest touch-up made her look even more striking. She wore a pale pink coat over a black slip dress. Even though she was dressed in pink, there was nothing childish about her. Instead, it made her look so charming and endearing that you just couldn't take your eyes off her. Charles tossed his cigarette aside, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Finished?" Naomi nodded gently.

"Yes, I'm done now." Charles fixed his gaze on Naomi, hesitating for a few seconds before finally asking, "How's your dad doing?" It was the first time Charles had asked about Naomi's father since they'd returned to Riverdale. Naomi looked a little surprised, but after a brief pause, she quickly replied, "He's doing much better. My mom's been with him, and I heard he can even get out of bed and walk a few steps now." Charles looked at Naomi, his eyes softening in a way that was rare for him.

"Do you want to go back and visit your folks?" Naomi was a little caught off guard, but she answered without hiding anything, "I do want to." Charles suggested, testing the waters, "Maybe we could head back this weekend?" Naomi agreed right away, not even pausing to think. "Sure." While she replied, she smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Seeing her like that, Charles stayed silent, simply taking off his coat and gently wrapping it around her shoulders. The instant his coat settled over her, Naomi's eyes reddened with emotion.

Unable to hold back any longer, she rushed into Charles's arms, hugging him tightly as she sobbed, "Charles, I..." Charles hugged her back, his voice gentle as he apologized, "I'm sorry. I've been neglecting you lately." Naomi shook her head, unable to say anything. After holding her for a while, Charles gently let go and said, "Come on, let's go home." Naomi nodded. "Mm." Charles took her hand, and noticing her tear-stained face, he leaned down and kissed her on the crown of her head.

Naomi closed her eyes, just soaking it all in-it felt like a huge weight had finally been lifted off her chest. Once the kiss was over, Charles wrapped his arm around her shoulders and said, "Let's go." They walked down the steps together, their footsteps crunching in the snow as they made their way to the car by the curb. Just then, a figure emerged from the glow of the concert hall-it was Jason. Jason had come to the concert tonight too, but Naomi only had eyes for Charles. She never once noticed Jason was even there.

Even as Charles led her away, Naomi probably never even realized Jason had been there at all. Jason was frustrated, his fists clenched tight as an icy chill slowly spread through his eyes. He'd loved Naomi for years-so why did he have to walk away empty-handed? He refused to let it go. No way was he letting things end here. ***** Meanwhile, after Troy led Teresa away from where Charles was, the two of them didn't head straight back to the Sullivan Mansion. Even though it was snowing outside, the streets were still bustling with people and lined with vendors.

Teresa didn't want to go back-she was tired of being cooped up at home every day. Troy didn't want to go back either-he just wanted to spend a little more time with Teresa. So, without even needing to say a word, they both just knew-they weren't going home anytime soon. Troy kept pushing the wheelchair, taking his sweet time and not rushing at all. Whenever they passed a street food stall, Troy would lean in and ask, "Teresa, want to try some stinky tofu?" Teresa wrinkled her nose, not interested.

"Let's skip it." When they came across a vendor selling fried potatoes, he asked again, "How about some of these potatoes?" Teresa still shook her head. "Maybe not." Even after being turned down twice, Troy kept trying. When they passed a cake shop, he asked, "Wanna go in?" Teresa saw the little cakes and couldn't help but get excited. Before she could say a word, Troy was already pushing her toward the shop. For a second, Teresa was taken aback-Troy really seemed to know exactly what was on her mind. 'Maybe that's what being a good partner is all about, Teresa thought.

Just one look, one little expression, and he knew exactly what was on her mind. When they walked into the cake shop, Teresa's eyes lit up at the sight of all those gorgeous cakes. Every single one looked so delicious-she wanted to try them all. She was totally stuck, unable to make up her mind. Troy knew exactly what Teresa was thinking, so he grabbed the tongs and a plate and started grabbing one of each cake. Teresa saw Troy loading up the plate and quickly tried to stop him.

"Troy, two or three are plenty-I can't eat that much." But Troy just ignored her and kept loading up the plate with little cakes. As he kept picking them out, he said to Teresa, "Just try a bit of everything you want. If you can't finish, just save them for me I'll help you out later. No need to worry about wasting anything." Teresa was at a loss for words-she couldn't even come up with a comeback. In the end, Troy picked out more than a dozen different kinds of cakes. While the waiter was packing them up, he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Teresa's ear.

He looked after her in every possible way, down to the tiniest detail. Even the little things Teresa never noticed, Troy always had covered. As they stepped out of the cake shop, Teresa glanced up and caught sight of Hector standing nearby. Snow was falling, and he stood under a transparent umbrella, his trench coat making him look even more striking. He just stood there, as if he'd been waiting there forever. He just stood there, staring at Teresa and Troy for ages, without saying a single word.

The strange silence made Teresa feel really uneasy, so she couldn't take it anymore and broke the silence. "Hector, what a coincidence." Hector tilted his umbrella back, revealing his face. He looked straight at Teresa, his voice husky. "Not a coincidence. I came here just for you." Teresa's chest tightened in an instant. She opened her mouth to speak to Hector, but the words just wouldn't come. Noticing her discomfort, Hector jumped in first. "I've been caught up in surgeries these past couple of days, so I haven't had a chance to check on you.

Today I finally got a break, and as soon as I finished, I came straight here." He paused deliberately, looking Teresa over with concern before asking, "Teresa, have you been feeling any better lately?" Teresa's eyes were rimmed with red as she answered, "Hector, I'm really doing a lot better now. Don't worry about me." Troy stood quietly behind the wheelchair, just letting Teresa and Hector talk. Hector was a good guy-Troy never minded him, but when it came to Teresa, that was a whole different story. After Teresa finished speaking, Hector closed his umbrella and walked over quickly.

He crouched down in front of her and, before anyone could react, reached for her ankle, clearly intent on checking her condition. Teresa instinctively pulled her foot back, uneasy and a bit defensive. At that moment, Troy reached out and brushed Hector's hand away. "If you're worried, just say it-no need to get physical." Hector held Teresa's gaze, speaking softly to her. "I'm a doctor. I just want to take a look at your injury." He noticed Teresa's reluctance and realized she was pulling away. When Troy heard Hector's explanation, he stood up straight and let it go, saying nothing more.

Teresa looked at Hector, wanting to tell him that she was a doctor too, and she was almost all better now. But in the end, she just couldn't bring herself to say it. Still, Hector took hold of her ankle, his eyes downcast as he checked the injury on her leg. Nobody saw the tears that welled up in Hector's eyes and spilled over as he looked down. Maybe only the patch of snow on the ground, melted by the warmth of his tears, really knew just how much he was hurting inside.

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