Chapter 166

Without warning, he kissed her again. This time, his lips were softer, his touch gentler. Teresa closed her eyes, spellbound. Her hands found the small of his back, clutching his shirt tightly. The kiss utterly consumed her, leaving no room for other thoughts.

Just then, a sudden, blaring car horn shattered the intimacy. Jonathan pulled back, while Teresa frowned, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.

Miriam and Benny hurried toward them, both out of breath. “We rushed over, thinking you two might be at each other’s throats!” Benny exclaimed. “But it seems we worried for no reason!”

Benny, ever the observant one, recalled the silhouette he’d seen earlier. He took in Jonathan’s grimace and Teresa’s flushed complexion. It was all too obvious.

“I told you,” he said, gesturing between Jonathan and Teresa. “One’s a Scorpio, the other’s a Capricorn. They wouldn’t fight.” Jonathan glanced at Benny and Miriam, then changed the subject. “Does she really have a sister?” he asked.

Miriam shot Teresa a look, but Teresa reassured her that she had already spoken to Jonathan about it. At this, Miriam breathed a sigh of relief.

“Her name’s Hannah,” Miriam confirmed. “She went missing when Teresa was little, and their family thought she’d died. They just reunited recently. Oh, and Hannah works at the same hospital as your cousin.”

Benny furrowed his brow, puzzled. “Wait, that dumb kid, Edward, became a doctor?”

Miriam rolled her eyes. “His cousin’s name is Donald, not Edward. And how is Edward ‘dumb,’ anyway?”

Benny slapped his forehead. “I mixed them up again! I can never keep those two straight,” he said with a sheepish grin. “Anyway, since everything’s sorted now, let’s go grab some food or something—my treat!”

During the New Year, everyone was caught up with their own families, so none of them were able to meet. Jonathan glanced at Teresa. He would go along if she wanted to, but it was late, and she didn’t seem particularly interested. Miriam, however, was insistent. She eagerly grabbed Teresa’s arm.

“Come on, let’s go,” she urged. “I brought your Audi, so you can give me a ride back and then drive it home after.”

Teresa eventually gave in. Together, they headed to Fores Restaurant, a spot she and Jonathan had frequented before their divorce. Since then, Teresa hadn’t set foot inside.

As they settled in, Benny poured Jonathan a drink and raised his glass for a toast. Jonathan clinked glasses with him and downed his drink in one gulp. Teresa watched him silently, unsure whether to say something. She refrained from drinking since she had to drive.

Benny chuckled as he sipped his drink. “Miriam and I were so surprised earlier. We thought something dramatic had gone down between you two. I even joked it looked like Teresa was getting remarried!”

Miriam sighed. “You two honestly gave us a heart attack. So, what’s really going on?”

Teresa maintained that there was nothing going on. Meanwhile, Jonathan didn’t offer any further explanation, instead turning his attention to Benny. “Hey, mind lending me your driver’s license?” he asked, his tone casual. “I ran three red lights today. I’m out of points.”

“Seriously?” Benny shrugged, helpless. “Fine, it’s in my car. I’ll grab it for you later.”

“Thanks,” Jonathan said, knocking back another glass of wine.

Meanwhile, Miriam leaned against Teresa’s shoulder, her voice tinged with frustration. “Teresa, I’m done with Edward.” Teresa placed a comforting hand on her head and asked her what was wrong.

Tears filled Miriam’s eyes as she admitted Teresa was right—Edward had been faking his illness. “If he doesn’t like me, fine. But pretending to be sick and lying to me? I’m over him,” she declared.

Jonathan, who had been talking with Benny, was glancing at Teresa out of the corner of his eye. Naturally, he caught snippets of Miriam’s lament. Jonathan frowned, then stood up and went to the restroom to make a call.

Soon after, a figure appeared in the doorway. Benny, now tipsy, waved at the newcomer. “Donald, you’re just in time! Jonathan and I have been drinking. You’ll be our designated driver later.”

The man stepped inside, his hands shoved in his pockets, clearly exasperated. Benny was speechless, and the others burst out laughing. “Just stop talking,” Miriam said.

“Okay, I’ll zip it,” Benny responded.

Edward had arrived after receiving Jonathan’s call. His gaze landed on Miriam’s tear-streaked face, and for a moment he hesitated. Then, swallowing hard, he said, “I’m sorry.”

Chapter 167