Chapter 122

“As for Teresa’s child… well, he’s my nephew, and I’m his aunt. Helping out isn’t a big deal,” Jennifer thought.

The person on the other end paused briefly, then asked, “Is it about your sister—the one a year younger than you?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Jennifer said, taking another drink.

“Have you reconnected with her yet?” the person asked.

“Not yet. I’m worried I’ll scare her away,” Jennifer chuckled bitterly, though a flicker of hope appeared in her heart.

Meanwhile, Teresa had settled into Rosary Estates. But now that Sherry would no longer be returning, it would be just her and Michael.

Sherry reached out to Teresa with sad news—Christian’s father had passed away after battling advanced-stage cancer. Sherry and Christian had cared for him in his final days, but despite their efforts, they were powerless against fate.

Teresa sighed and murmured, “How could this happen? Not to mention, right before New Year’s Day.” What was supposed to be a joyful day would now be marked by grief, and the Dunn family would be missing from this year’s festivities.

“Christian is really struggling, and I need to stay with him,” Sherry said. “I’ll only come back to Nareigh after the new year at the earliest.” There were still funeral preparations to finalize, family obligations to meet, and countless other tasks to handle. Once Christian’s situation had been taken care of, she intended to visit her own family back home.

Teresa said, “Take your time. Don’t overwork yourself.”

Teresa’s phone rang again just after she’d spoken to Sherry. She hesitated before answering when she saw the unknown yet familiar number.

“Hello?” Evelyn asked. Her speech seemed slurred, a mix of sorrow and alcohol. Teresa panicked, wondering what had happened.

“I had a couple of beers to take the edge off,” Evelyn muttered. “I saw a girl who looked just like your sister—the spitting image of her. I thought it was her, but I was wrong.”

Teresa solemnly said, “It’s been 20 years. How would you know what she looks like?”

Evelyn replied, “A mother never forgets. You still look like you did when you were young. If Hannah were alive, she’d be the same. But she’s gone. She’ll never come back.”

Teresa sighed, feeling the weight of Evelyn’s sorrowful words. “Take a shower and get some rest,” Teresa suggested. “Drink some hangover remedy. Get your husband to make it for you.”

But Evelyn kept rambling. “I failed Hannah… I failed her more than anyone else. At least I did something for you. I raised you until you got married, but Hannah… She fell off the cliff so young. She probably hates me and thinks I didn’t do enough for her. I’ve sinned against her…”

Teresa shouted, “Enough! Just go to bed! Hannah’s gone! What’s the point of going on like this? If you feel guilty, do something good for your daughter now.” With that, she hung up abruptly.

Teresa was still fighting off a cold; and, after an exhausting move, she felt like she was running on empty. Evelyn’s drunken calls only added to the strain. ‘How does she still drink so much at her age? And she reached out with that nonsense.’ ‘I told her to stop calling me, and she agreed, but she still calls when she gets drunk.’ ‘Hannah’s been gone for years; the police have already presumed her dead. What can I even do? All these calls just frustrate me—they serve no purpose other than to make me feel worse,’ Teresa thought helplessly.

She was about to step into the shower when Cheryl’s call came. Evelyn cried, and now Cheryl was sobbing too.

“What should I do, Teresa?” Cheryl’s voice cracked with fear. “I bumped into a table, and now my belly hurts. Could I be having a miscarriage? What should I do?”

Teresa fought the headache threatening to take over, thinking, ‘Seriously? In the middle of the night?’ She responded, “Call 911 right now, or get yourself to a gynecologist.”

“I’m too scared to go alone, Teresa! Can you come with me? Please! I’m terrified! My parents aren’t home, and I can’t tell them about this,” Cheryl pleaded.

Teresa was speechless. She drove to pick Cheryl up late at night. As Cheryl got into the car, Teresa pulled a piece of tissue to wipe her nose.

“Do you have a cold, Teresa?” Cheryl asked.

“Yeah, still fighting it off,” Teresa muttered. “I was about to shower and go to bed when you called. Maybe drive yourself to the hospital next time?”

“I don’t know how to drive. Besides, I don’t even have a license, nor do I want one,” Cheryl protested. “My belly doesn’t hurt that much anymore. I’m just so scared. What if I start bleeding?”

Teresa noticed Cheryl’s flushed cheeks and comforted her. “Relax. I bumped into things all the time when I was pregnant, but Michael turned out fine.”

At the hospital, Jennifer was on shift when Cheryl rushed in and grabbed her arm, pleading, “Doctor, please check me. I was painting at home; and, when I stood up, my belly accidentally hit a table. Am I going to lose my baby?”

“It’s okay. Let’s get you checked. Take a deep breath and relax,” Jennifer comforted.

After the examination, Jennifer reassured her, “Everything’s fine. The baby’s in the right place. A light bump isn’t a concern. Just avoid strenuous activities.”

Jennifer then asked, “Are you planning to keep the baby?”

Cheryl met Teresa’s eyes and nodded firmly. “Yes, I want to keep it. I’m going to love this baby with all my heart.”

To Teresa, Cheryl herself seemed like a child—constantly worried, always overthinking. “Cheryl, have you really thought this through? Are you sure you want to keep the baby?” Teresa asked.

Cheryl responded firmly, “I’m keeping the baby, no matter what. I’ll go abroad to give birth then bring it back to tell my parents. They won’t be able to do anything about it. I’ll have Donald talk to them and smooth things over.”

“And what about marriage?” Teresa inquired again. “Are you planning to raise the baby alone without marrying?”

“I’ll marry whoever doesn’t mind me and my baby,” Cheryl replied casually.

Teresa chuckled bitterly. In this day and age, no man would want to raise someone else’s child—not unless he was the father.

Teresa apologized, “Sorry to keep you up so late, Dr. Nelson. If there’s nothing urgent, I’ll take her home now.”

Noticing the fatigue in Teresa’s eyes, Jennifer was heartbroken at how hard Teresa pushed herself every day.

“I’ll prescribe some prenatal medication for her; but, since the pharmacy’s closed, you’ll have to come tomorrow to pick it up,” Jennifer said.

Teresa nodded and left with Cheryl. However, the always thoughtless Cheryl wanted to stay the night. Michael was already asleep, so Teresa asked Cheryl to stay in the guest room.

Teresa managed to catch a few hours of sleep before heading to work early the next morning. She left Michael in Cheryl’s care for the day.