Chapter 1055
“Whatever,” Teresa murmured, her voice softening, “I simply didn’t want the swirl of gossip surrounding me to touch him.”
Benny sighed, exasperation clear. “Teresa, why absorb it? It’s calculated noise. Look at Horizonlead Group’s stock–skyrocketing! The notion that Jonathan’s empire is crumbling is absurd. The truth is, the higher he rises, the thicker the envy. Naturally, there’ll be vicious rumors aimed at shaking him. The real tragedy is you buying into them.”
“I couldn’t simply dismiss it,” Teresa admitted, weariness weighing down her words. Irene had called, demanding an immediate public statement. In that raw moment, Teresa was utterly convinced Jonathan was seeing someone else. Heartbroken and cornered, she made the divorce announcement.
Benny sighed heavily. “Listen, my advice? Steer clear of those networking dinners altogether. It doesn’t matter how lucrative it looks–just say no. Focus on earning enough to cover your needs. That’s it.”
Teresa’s undeniable beauty, bereft of powerful protection, made her vulnerable prey in that world. Ironically, years ago, that very beauty sparked their friendship. Benny vividly remembered his first day on campus: spotting Teresa and Miriam standing together, radiant as a beacon. Teresa, especially, commanded attention. Young Benny, ever the smooth talker, strolled over, a cocky grin splitting his face. “Hey gorgeous, new friends?” Miraculously, that cheesy opener ignited a surprisingly genuine friendship.
“I’ll protect myself,” Teresa declared, steel entering her voice. A fierce determination burned in her chest–to prove herself, to forge her own success. She didn’t want to be looked down on by Irene. She wanted to earn her approval. Perhaps then, once Jennifer was released next year, reconciliation could happen. And maybe then, if Jonathan was still alone, if even a lingering spark for her remained in his heart, she could reach out.
Benny nodded. Years of friendship had taught him Teresa’s stubbornness intimately. “Alright,” he conceded. “If you run into trouble, call me or Gary. He is dependable.”
“Understood,” Teresa acknowledged.
Arriving home, Teresa found Mike sound asleep. On his desk lay a completed drawing–a portrait of Jonathan.
Tears pricked Teresa’s eyes. ‘Mike misses him so deeply… Did I make a terrible mistake?’ Benny’s words haunted her: “How can you possibly manage alone, with no support?” ‘Should I reconcile? For the kids? Even if it meant enduring Irene’s barbs? Even if love was no longer pure? Was my decision fundamentally flawed?’
“Ms. Johnston! Come quick! Felix’s burning up!” Amy burst into the room, her voice tight with alarm.
Teresa shot up and raced to Felix’s room. His face was flushed a deep red, his cheeks radiating heat. A touch to his forehead confirmed her fear–it was scorching.
Amy wrung her hands, frantic and apologetic. “I only noticed it when I was changing his diaper.”
Scooping up Felix, Teresa said urgently, “Amy, take care of Mike. I’m taking Felix to the hospital.”
“Go! I’ve got Mike,” Amy assured her.
The cold hit like a physical blow, a biting winter wind wearing straight to the bone, worsened by the dead hour. Teresa drove with frantic urgency, anxiety twisting in her stomach. Stopped at a red light, she fumbled for her phone, scrolled wildly through her contacts, and punched dial.
Donald answered, confusion lacing his voice. “Teresa? Everything alright? It’s the middle of the night.”
“It’s Felix,” Teresa cut in, voice tight with worry. “He’s spiking a fever. I’m heading to the Nareigh General Hospital now. Can you meet us? Get him seen immediately?”
“I’m on duty tonight,” Donald replied instantly. “Get here fast. I’ll call Pediatrics and alert the attending physician right now.”
“Thank you, Donald!” Teresa breathed before ending the call. She slammed her foot down on the accelerator.
At the hospital entrance, Donald was already waiting. Felix was rushed straight to Pediatrics. After a swift examination, the attending physician explained that Felix’s high fever stemmed from severe indigestion. He assured her it was manageable, and urgent treatment stabilized him quickly, bringing the fever down.
“Thank you,” Teresa whispered, the words choked with exhausted relief. The adrenaline that had sustained her vanished. Her legs gave way, and she slid down the wall to sit on the cold floor. Back pressed against the wall, silent tears tracked paths down her cheeks. Utter exhaustion washed over her. The unrelenting stress from work, the crushing guilt over Felix–it all slammed down. How determined she once was, how sorrowful she was now.
“This is what reality feels like. I just can’t carry all this on my own.” A profound ache settled in her chest. She buried her face in her knees, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The dam broke: the desperate need to succeed at work, to earn enough money, to win Irene’s recognition, to be an attentive mother, to ensure their happiness and shield them from pain. Yet here she was, huddled on the hospital floor, a failure at everything that mattered.
“Teresa, are you okay?” Donald’s voice was soft, concerned. “You can’t sit there. It’s freezing. Come on, let’s get you up.” He crouched, taking in her tear-streaked face, and carefully helped her stand.
Pulling a tissue from his coat pocket, he offered it. “Maybe you should call Jonathan,” he suggested tentatively. “Let him know? Ask him to come?”
Teresa shook her head, sinking into a nearby chair. “No need to call him. He’s abroad. And Felix’s stable now. Donald, thank you. I really owe you.”
“Come on, it’s nothing. I’m Felix’s uncle, after all,” Donald said with a gentle smile. He poured steaming coffee into a cup and handed it to her. “Drink this. It’ll take the chill off.”
Teresa murmured thanks again, cradling the warm mug in both hands.
After a pause, Donald asked quietly, “How is Jennifer? Have you managed to visit?”
“Once,” Teresa answered. “She made a lucky charm pouch for Felix.”
“She made that?” Donald murmured, his voice thick with surprise and something softer. He looked down, the old, familiar ache of missing Jennifer surging back.
“I’ve accepted it now,” Donald said, a quiet resolve firming his voice. “I’ll wait for Jennifer’s release next year. In the meantime, I need to live properly and work hard. No more…” He paused. “No more drowning myself in bottles. That stupid, numb escape, it changes nothing. Jennifer’s sentence stands. We have to keep moving forward. Alcohol won’t rewrite a single line of this story.”
Teresa met his gaze. “I’m glad you see it that way.”
“And Teresa… I owe you an apology,” Donald said quietly. “Jennifer and I… we wrought so much chaos for you and Jonathan.” Thinking back on it, he realized just how reckless and immature he’d been back then.
“There’s no point dwelling on it now,” Teresa said, shaking her head. “Let the past stay buried. Jonathan and I are building separate lives now. The children are with me, and I will raise them well.”
Teresa stood and went into Felix’s room, settling beside his bed.
Donald followed. “Call me if the fever returns tonight–I’m on.” He added gently, “Try giving him a light massage on his arms, legs, and tummy before bedtime. It aids digestion and can help prevent food retention.”
“Alright, I understand.” Teresa gazed down at Felix, her fingers gently tracing his peaceful cheek before enclosing his tiny hand in hers.