Chapter 1074

55 vouchers

“That’s my business, stay out of it,” Teresa said again. She didn’t want to deal with Evelyn anymore.

Evelyn said, “You already have child support from Jonathan, so just focus on your fashion and jewelry business; you can make millions a year. You don’t even have to worry about the kid.

“If Jonathan wants to be with someone else, let him do whatever he wants. You can find someone else too. Even if he’s not as good as Jonathan, as long as he’s decent, that’s good enough.”

“Are you done? Get out!” Teresa yelled. She didn’t want to hear any more of Evelyn’s nonsense.

Evelyn saw Teresa crying and decided not to say anything more. She was about to leave. “Fine, I see how heartless you are. I don’t need a daughter like you anyway,” Evelyn said.

“Yeah, you’ve got so many kids; of course, you don’t need me. I’m always the last one you care about, aren’t I?” Teresa said. But Evelyn had already walked out and didn’t hear her.

After Evelyn left, Teresa’s eyes turned red again. She wiped away her tears, thinking, “That’s just how it is. If something was never mine, there’s no point wishing for it anymore."

On her way back, she suddenly felt unwell. She’d been coughing during the meeting, and Miriam told her to take a break, but she just brushed it off.

Teresa always told herself she could handle anything, that she was tough enough. But in the end, her body couldn’t take it anymore.

By the middle of the night, she had a fever. Half-awake and groggy, she tried to get up for some water, but her body gave out and she collapsed right there on the floor.

When she finally opened her eyes again, she found herself in the hospital with an IV drip in her arm. Mike, Jonathan, and a doctor were all standing by her side.

“Mommy, you’re awake!” Mike cried as he hugged Teresa tightly, his tears soaking her face. “I was so worried about you. Please don’t get sick.”

Teresa reached out to wipe away Michael’s tears. Her throat felt parched, and she didn’t want to infect him, so she wanted him to move away, but Michael just clung to her and wouldn’t let go.

Hearing Michael’s voice, Jonathan, who had been talking to the doctor, hurried over and asked Teresa, “Are you still feeling unwell?”

Teresa shook her head, but her throat still felt parched.

The doctor sighed, “Ms. Johnston, you’ve been working way too hard. If you continue like this, you’ll wear yourself out. Your fever’s gone down now, so that’s not a big problem anymore, but you need to get some rest.” With that, the doctor left.

Jonathan gave Teresa that helpless look again. “Did you hear that? The doctor said you need to rest. You’re weak right now.”

“Mommy, Mr. Daddy Lime is right. You need to sleep well and eat properly. Your health is the most important thing,” Michael said, putting on his most serious face as he tried to lecture her.

With both Jonathan and Michael ganging up on her, Teresa finally nodded.

Back at home, Michael brought Teresa water and took care of her. But Teresa didn’t see Jonathan around.

Not long after, Lucas came. Seeing how weak Teresa looked, Lucas sighed, “Jonathan told me everything. You just had a baby not too long ago and needed to rest.”

“Lucas, I’m already feeling better,” Teresa said as she sat up in bed, but then started coughing again.

Lucas felt a pang of worry for her. “Just stay in bed and get some rest. Don’t try to get up.”

“Lucas, did Jonathan tell you I was sick?” Teresa asked.

“Of course. There’s no way you’d tell me yourself. He came to find me,” Lucas replied.

Teresa kept up her stubborn front. “I’m fine. Just need a nap and I’ll be good as new.”

“Are you awake and continuing to work? Let Lucas keep an eye on you for once. You’re always running yourself into the ground,” Jonathan said, and came back in.

“I’m fine, you didn’t need to tell Lucas,” Teresa said.

“It’s not just Lucas. Your mom came too,” Jonathan added.

Teresa froze for a moment and fixed her gaze on Evelyn as she walked in.

Evelyn let out a huff. “I said I could help with that project, but you wouldn’t let me. I said you couldn’t handle it, and now you’ve worked yourself sick.” Her tone made it clear she thought Teresa had no one to blame but herself.

“Evelyn, Mommy has a fever. Please don’t scold her, okay?” Michael stood firmly in front of Teresa, determined to protect her.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, looked away, and let out a sigh.

Jonathan walked over, picked up Michael, and carried him out of the room.

The only ones left in the room were Teresa, Evelyn, and Lucas. “Lucas, tell Evelyn to leave. I don’t need her to check up on me. I’m perfectly fine,” Teresa said.

“Teresa, let’s lay everything out. Don’t try to dodge it this time,” Lucas said. He turned to Evelyn. “Mom, how come every time Teresa gets sick, the first thing you do is scold her? Shouldn’t you care about her first?”

Evelyn retorted, “Lucas, it’s not that I don’t care about her. Teresa is just so stubborn. Even when I try to be good to her, she never sees it that way. She drives me crazy.”

“Really? I don’t see it that way. You treat Jennifer better than you treat Teresa. Honestly, Teresa’s always the one being patient and tolerant with you,” Lucas said.

Evelyn thought, ‘Not good to Teresa? She’s just way too sensitive, that’s all.’

Lucas said, “Mom, do you know why Teresa’s so sensitive? It’s because she’s never had your approval since she was a kid. Teresa’s already beautiful, hardworking, and driven, but deep down, she still doesn’t feel confident.

“She cares a lot about her pride because she doesn’t want anyone to look down on her. She’s afraid of being rejected, afraid of failing, and even more afraid of you telling her she’s not good enough.”

Evelyn finally spoke, her voice a little strained. “I’m just tough on her because I want her to do better. I’ve given her plenty of money since she was a little girl. I don’t owe her anything.”

Evelyn glanced at Teresa and saw she was crying. In that moment, it felt like something deep inside her just collapsed. She had more to say, but swallowed the words back down.

Lucas was still firmly in Teresa’s corner. “Mom, isn’t raising your kids until they’re grown just what a parent is supposed to do? Just because you gave Teresa money doesn’t mean you can ignore what she needs emotionally.

“You haven’t been there for her, taught her, talked to her, or respected her. You treat Jennifer so well. Why can’t you do the same for Teresa? You owe her a lot, and she also needs your understanding and care,” Lucas said.

Evelyn went quiet again. Just then, they heard footsteps approaching, and the door opened.

After handing Mike off to the nanny, Jonathan walked back in. He didn’t get too close, just stood by the door, not stepping any further into the room.

Jonathan went to find Lucas today and told him everything about Teresa. After that, Lucas got in touch with Evelyn, and that was how she ended up coming over.