Unexpected Encounter with my Boss (Vincent and Tiffany)

Tiffany knew Teresa well and understood the reason behind tonight's dinner invitation.

Teresa was likely feeling lost and empty after giving up her stall.

After all, she had run it for over a decade, and it had become second nature to her. The sudden change must have been difficult to cope with.

However, family life came with its own set of compromises. Having a child was important for their family, and if Teresa wanted to continue her life with Eric, a child could indeed help ease any existing tensions. This was a matter between husband and wife, and Tiffany felt it wasn't her place to overstep.

She could only reassure her, "Perhaps it's for the best that you're not running the stall anymore. It hasn't been easy on you, working so hard and dealing with all kinds of bitterness.

"You're right." Teresa smiled and offered her more food. "Eat up, You've been looking so thin recently."

...

After dinner, the house was bathed in warm light as darkness fell outside. Tiffany helped Teresa clean up the kitchen and stayed a while longer until they heard the sound of the front door unlocking.

Eric was home. He exchanged his shoes for slippers at the entryway and greeted Tiffany with a smile. "Tiff, you're here. What perfect timing! I just bought some blueberries. Let me prepare them for you and Teresa."

As he put away his coat and briefcase and turned toward the kitchen to prepare the fruit, Teresa whispered, "Ever since I hit my head, Eric has changed. No matter how late he gets home, he always brings me something to eat." Tiffany saw the genuine happiness on Teresa's face and felt a sense of relief.

She checked the time and stood up. "It's getting late; I should head back."

Knowing Tiffany's nature and her reservations about Eric, Teresa didn't insist she stay and walked her to the door.

"Leaving so soon?" Eric emerged with a plate of blueberries, his enthusiasm evident.

"Why don't you have some blueberries before you go?"

"No, thank you, Eric." Tiffany politely declined, changed back into her shoes, and left without allowing Teresa to see her out.

As soon as the door closed, Eric's smile vanished.

He immediately gripped Teresa's arm and asked, "Did you tell her about that matter?"

Teresa shook her head. "I can see Tiff is struggling herself; she's just started working at a new company with no connections or background. Let's not burden her further."

Eric's face hardened, and he retorted sarcastically, "You care about your sister, but not your husband? My mother was right; blood is thicker than water.

"You can't bear to burden your sister, yet you're happy to dump all the pressure on your husband! Teresa, you're unbelievable!

"Such a waste of all my efforts! I went out of my way to buy dishes she likes to make her feel welcome." Eric glanced at the remaining food on the table and said, "Might as well throw it all to the dogs."

"Eric, how could you say that?"

Teresa's eyes welled up with anger. "Tiff is my sister; we've always looked out for each other. If you despise her so much, you might as well kick me out too!" Seeing her upset, Eric grew irritated but forced himself to calm down and appease her.

Teresa was typically easygoing and eventually pacified.

"Did you drink your herbal medicine today?" Eric asked.

"Not yet," Teresa mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

"I'll get it for you." Eric hurried to the kitchen and returned with a bowl of dark brown liquid. "Drink it while it's warm."

The medicine was bitter and potent. Teresa drank it with a grimace and soon felt nauseous. She rushed to the bathroom to throw up.

Eric stood behind Teresa, watching as she retched. His expression was filled with pity.

"Can't you just bear with it? This medicine was very expensive. You don't want to drink it, fine, but why throw it up? Mom went through a lot to get it for you. It's more than just medicine-it's Mom's hope for us to have a child."

Teresa rinsed her mouth, her eyes red and teary. "I'm so sorry, but the taste is just unbearable."

"Well, I'll get you another bowl."

"Eric..." Teresa tried to stop him.

But before she could say anything, Eric interrupted her. "I know this medicine doesn't taste good, and I wouldn't make you suffer if it weren't so important. But there's nothing I can do if you don't cooperate, For the sake of having a child, please try to bear with it, alright?"