Chapter 237

“Sorry, sir, there are no direct flights from Nareigh to Fernlandia today. Would you like to book one for tomorrow?” said the receptionist.

Jonathan replied, “Got it, thanks. I’ll wait for now.”

He glanced at the calendar and noticed Memorial Day was just a couple of days away. Suddenly, he wasn’t in a rush to buy the ticket. He figured Teresa would definitely return to pay respects at her grandparents’ graves.

Teresa had left Nareigh, but Jennifer stayed behind, her plans disrupted by Donald. Cheryl forced Jennifer to care for the drunken Donald; after all, Cheryl couldn’t bear watching him mope as if his world had ended because of Jennifer.

Jennifer arrived at Donald’s apartment, bought by his parents for him to live in after marriage. In his mid-twenties, marriage was a common topic for him.

“Jennifer…” Donald, pale and visibly drained from his drunken state, looked up at her weakly. He turned to Cheryl, his voice filled with confusion. “What’s going on?”

Cheryl snorted, “You big idiot! I couldn’t stand watching you act like the world is ending over this. So, I brought Dr. Nelson here. Now, you two can figure it out.”

With that, Cheryl tactfully closed the door behind her, her footsteps fading into the distance.

“Sorry about my sister. She can be a bit much sometimes,” Donald said, his tone filled with genuine regret.

“You’re the one who’s a bit too much,” Jennifer said, exasperated. “What do you want to eat?”

“Are you really going to cook for me?” Donald asked.

“Yeah…” Jennifer rolled up her sleeves, deciding to make some gruel for him.

Donald’s face lit up, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Really? Thanks.”

She cooked a warm bowl of gruel with millet and red beans. After cooling it, she placed it beside him and said flatly, “If it weren’t for your sister, I’d already be in Shaville by now.”

“What were you planning to do in Shaville?” Donald asked.

“I’m transferring to another hospital and planning to move there,” said Jennifer.

“What?” Overwhelmed by shock, Donald started coughing violently.

“Why would you go so far away? Are you going alone? Weren’t you planning to join Nareigh General Hospital? The benefits there are great, and you’d be starting as an associate chief physician,” said Donald.

“I’ve got a college friend there. We’re pretty close, so it’ll be easier to settle in with someone familiar around,” Jennifer replied casually.

“What about me?” Donald’s grip on her hand tightened, his voice filled with frustration. “We kissed. That was your first kiss, wasn’t it? I… I need to take responsibility for that!”

Before he could finish, Jennifer leaned in and kissed him. For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Her kiss carried a hint of nervousness, yet it was resolute. Donald froze, his eyes wide in disbelief, his mind blank as he stared at her. Even after she slowly pulled away, his gaze remained locked on her.

“Does this settle it? We’re even now,” she smiled faintly, a trace of relief in her expression, and turned to leave.

Donald grabbed her hand even tighter, his voice firm and unwavering. “Wherever you go, I’ll follow. Even if it’s Shaville, I’ll be right there with you.”

“Stop this,” Jennifer sighed, exasperated. “How would you even manage that? Do you have any connections…”

“I’ll ask my brother to pull some strings and help me transfer. It’s not that hard. As long as I can be with you, I’ll make it happen,” Donald said, his tone steady and full of determination.

Jennifer froze. She’d never been chosen so firmly before. She was just a scapegoat for her parents’ fights, walking her path alone. But now, this warm, steadfast man was something she couldn’t ignore.