Chapter 176
Teresa had taken a chance once and had Michael. She wondered if she could take another chance and have another child with Jonathan. However, she no longer had the energy to keep another child a secret, so she could only prevent it by nipping it in the bud.
Jonathan's eyes showed a yearning for a child as he said, “Just this once. If you get pregnant, have the baby. I can give you whatever you want.”
“When we were married, I couldn’t provide much; no, I never asked for a child. But if you get pregnant this time, I can even get you the stars in the sky if that’s what you want.”
With that, Jonathan gave Teresa a star—a key with a star-shaped keychain. He placed the key in Teresa's hand and continued, “I’ve already bought a place in the most expensive neighborhood in Nareigh, Forlisle Rose Estates.
“We can stay there if you want to live in Nareigh. I have other houses, too, if you prefer to move to another city. I’ll put your name on the deed, or our child’s. Whatever you wish.”
Teresa clasped her fingers. She only thought Jonathan had bought a courtyard house in Jarisburg, and she didn’t think he’d also acquired one in Forlisle Rose Estates. He was making everything happen—things he couldn’t when they were married.
A hint of hesitation flashed in Teresa’s eyes. She recalled blurting out about having a child the previous night and felt the sudden urge, now sober, to reiterate that they already had a child.
Suddenly, Jonathan’s phone rang. He glanced at it and frowned at the word “Mom.” A trace of weariness and impatience flickered in his eyes.
The call from Jonathan’s mother was a wake-up call for Teresa. She instantly snapped back to her senses and swallowed her words. While Jonathan was distracted, she turned and ran away.
Jonathan saw Teresa fleeing from the corner of his eye. He quickly ended the call and pursued her. Noticing her shoes and socks by the door, he bent to pick them up and continued his pursuit.
When Jonathan got outside, Teresa had already left in a taxi. Barefoot, she only realized she’d forgotten her shoes upon exiting. However, she didn’t want to return for them, fearing Jonathan wouldn’t let her leave.
After taking a taxi to a nearby mall, Teresa paid with her phone and got out. She found the nearest shoe store and bought a pair.
People stared. Teresa had never been so embarrassed. It was as if she’d just escaped from a mental hospital. After all, who would go around barefoot in January?
Meanwhile, the phone in Teresa’s pocket kept ringing repeatedly from the same number. Teresa pressed decline and turned on ‘Do Not Disturb.’
Yet, a text arrived because Teresa refused to answer her phone:
[You’re really driving me crazy. Did you run out without your shoes and socks? I’ll take back what I said earlier if you don’t like to hear them. Come back. Let’s talk about it after you put on your shoes.]
Teresa replied with a voice message: “There’s nothing to talk about. I already bought the strongest contraceptive pill at the pharmacy. I just took it, so there’s no way I’ll get pregnant. Let’s just pretend last night never happened.”
Then, Teresa pressed send. A few minutes later, Jonathan sent her a sixty-second voice message. She figured he was probably scolding her.
Teresa didn’t feel like listening, so she didn’t open it. Then, she headed to a nearby pharmacy to get emergency contraception.
Suddenly, an urgent call appeared on Teresa’s phone. She was sensitive to such calls because Jennifer had been in a car accident before. “Hello—are you Teresa Johnston? Ms. Evelyn Davis’s daughter?” asked the person.
“Yes. Is something wrong?” asked Teresa.
“Your mother had trouble breathing and collapsed. She’s been brought to a nearby Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Her condition is quite serious. You should come over,” said the person.