Irene still had that photo of Jonathan with a stranger saved on her phone. She sent it to him, warning, โYou need to watch yourself. Do you even know who that person is? For all you know, they could be criminals!โ
Jonathan glanced at the photo and suddenly pieced it together. โYou showed this photo to Teresa, didnโt you?โ
โI was just looking out for you,โ Irene replied. โIf this photo gets out, people will say the CEO of Horizonlead Group is cozying up to criminals. And what if they twist the story and claim youโre one of them?โ Her tone was sharp and accusatory.
Jonathan flicked the photo onto the table, his long fingers tapping lightly on the surface. โYou think a photo like this can shake me? If I let something so trivial affect me, I wouldnโt have made it this far.โ
But Irene wasnโt done. Her voice grew harsher, her frustration spilling over. โItโs all Teresaโs fault. Ever since you got involved with her, your lifeโs been a mess. Look at how much better youโve done since you left her behind.โ
โEnough,โ Jonathan leaned forward, his gaze locking onto Ireneโs with icy precision. โIโll ask you one thing. Did you use this photo to threaten her?โ
Ireneโs gaze flickered as she tried to avoid Jonathanโs eyes. When he kept pressing her, she finally snapped, โShe left on her own. It has nothing to do with me.โ
Jonathanโs tone sharpened. โWhat Iโm asking is, did you take this photo to her? Did you say things like, โShe ruined meโ or โSheโs been dragging me downโ?โ
Irene pressed her lips together, her silence confirming Jonathanโs suspicions. His brows furrowed deeply.
โWhy did you go to her? Iโve told you before, my relationship with her is none of your business. Youโre not her mother-in-law anymore, so you shouldnโt have gone.โ
โBut Iโm your mother!โ Irene shot back. โI donโt know who sent me this photo. They said theyโd expose you, and I panicked. I was scared it would ruin your reputation, so I went to Teresa. I donโt want her dragging you down anymore.โ
โSheโs never dragged me down,โ Jonathan said firmly.
โReally? Hasnโt she caused you enough trouble already?โ Irene retorted, her eyes full of disdain for Teresa.
Jonathanโs clenched fists loosened weakly. โYouโre my mother, the one who raised me, and sheโs the woman I love most. Youโre both the most important people in my life. Why canโt you accept her?โ
โWhatโs so great about her? I just canโt stand her! I donโt want a daughter-in-law like her,โ Irene cried, hitting Jonathanโs chest repeatedly. โI worked so hard to pull you out of that mess, and now youโre throwing yourself back in.โ
Jonathanโs determination solidified. He finally had the reason he needed to go to Fernlandia and find Teresa. He reached out to Miriam for Teresaโs exact location.
The sprawling landscapes of Fernlandia stretched out endlessly as Jonathanโs car pulled up to the villa where Teresa had been staying. He had traveled all this way to find her, but the person who greeted him at the door was Evelyn.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. โJonathan, what brings you here?โ
Jonathan gave a slight nod, though his gaze couldnโt help but dart past Evelyn, searching for any sign of Teresa. โEvelyn, sorry to bother you. Iโm here to see Teresa.โ
Evelynโs brows furrowed slightly, her tone turning cold. โTeresa isnโt here.โ
Jonathanโs voice remained respectful, though there was a hint of urgency. โI just need to say a few words to her. Thereโs something I need to explain.โ
โSheโs really not here. Iโm not trying to stop you,โ Evelyn replied, her voice tinged with exasperation. โWe had an argument, and she left. I have no idea where she went. That stubborn girl refused to tell me anything.โ
Seeing the doubt in Jonathanโs expression, Evelyn stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in. โIf you donโt believe me, feel free to look for yourself.โ
Jonathan stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. There was no sign of Teresa. He made his way to her room, only to find it empty. His gaze swept over every corner, searching desperately for any clue she might have left behind.
Jonathan had been trying to call Teresa, but her phone had been unreachable for a long time. It wasnโt just him; Evelyn hadnโt been able to get through to her either.
Jonathanโs worry was written all over his face. โSheโs not here anymore, and she doesnโt have anywhere else to go. Where could she be staying?โ
โMaybe she went back to Rosary Estates. Thatโs the only house she owns,โ Evelyn said, her tone uncertain.
Seeing no other leads, Jonathan prepared to leave. Evelyn stopped him and said, โIf you see her at Rosary Estates, let her know Iโm worried. It would give me some peace of mind.โ
Jonathan nodded in agreement, his gaze briefly falling on the little girl sitting on the sofa, wearing a diaper and clutching a stuffed doll. That must be Isabel, Teresaโs little sister.
The toddler, barely a year old, let out cheerful babble as she played with her doll. Evelyn walked over, picked Isabel up, and gently cradled her before stepping outside to see Jonathan off.
Before leaving, Jonathan turned back and said, โTeresa loves you deeply. Whenever you were in the hospital, she was always the one who worried the most.โ With that, he finally departed.
Jonathan was restless on the flight back, his thoughts tangled in worry. He wondered if Teresa had returned to Rosary Estates. If she had, she would have told Miriam.
The moment he landed, he rushed to Rosary Estates, holding onto a sliver of hope. But when he arrived, there was no sign of Teresa. That faint hope quickly turned into unease and anxiety.
Jonathan couldnโt stop worrying about Teresaโs living situation. After their divorce, he had offered her the house in Luviston Estates, but she turned it down. That left her with only the house her grandparents had left her.
Jonathan reached out to Miriam, who was just as concerned. โTeresa left Fernlandia? She didnโt even tell me, her best friend?โ Miriam said, disbelief written all over her face.
Miriam tried contacting Teresa but couldnโt get through. โOh, wait. She sent me a message a few days ago,โ Miriam said.
[Miriam, Iโll need you to handle the company matters for me. The signal here isnโt great, so if you need anything, just email me. Iโll reply as soon as I see it. Donโt worry about me. Iโm doing fine.]
After reading the message, Jonathan asked Miriam for Teresaโs email address. โIf she contacts you, let me know. Itโll help me keep track of things,โ he said.
โAlright, I will,โ Miriam replied.
Jonathan logged into his email and composed a message to Teresa.
[Where are you? Do you have enough money? Stop being so stubborn and come back to Nareigh. I know my mom approached you before you left and tried to threaten you. It wonโt affect me in any way. Please donโt let it weigh on you.]
He didnโt sign the email with his full name, leaving only the letter โJโ as the sender. After hitting send, the email showed as delivered. Yet, by the end of the day, Jonathan still hadnโt received a reply from Teresa.