Chapter 256
“She knows I like Donald’s cousin, even though he doesn’t feel the same way, and I’m setting myself up for heartbreak. But she respects my feelings. We both understand the importance of boundaries.
When we’re upset, we meet for drinks and don’t stop until we’re tipsy. When we’re happy, we snack and gossip. Our relationship works because we give each other space and allow for little secrets.
This is something you, my sister, should understand. But clearly, you don’t. It’s obvious you don’t truly love Teresa. You’re just using the fact that Teresa is your sister as an excuse to boss her around, to feel superior. But you’ve never stopped to think about whether Teresa is happy.”
Miriam’s accusations hit Jennifer hard. Taking a deep breath, Jennifer said, “I know. No matter what I say now, it’ll be wrong. I’ll reflect on myself and think about whether my actions have caused Teresa a lot of stress.
Right now, all I want is to find Teresa. As long as she and Mike are safe, that’s all that matters.”
“They’re safe, so you can stop worrying,” Miriam said, taking a deep breath. “Before you came here, she sent me an email asking me not to worry about her.”
“Really?” Jennifer’s voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands balled into fists, shaking with frustration. “What was the subject of her email?”
Miriam shook her head, her tone firm but gentle. “If you truly care about her, Jennifer, maybe it’s time to give her some space,” she said. “If she wants to tell you something, she’ll reach out herself. Everyone needs their space.”
Jennifer left Miriam’s house in silence, her heart heavy with unanswered questions. As she stepped outside, her phone rang. She quickly answered, hoping it was Teresa. But it was Donald.
Feeling utterly alone, Jennifer suddenly couldn’t bear the solitude. She sent Donald her location on WhatsApp, and he came to find her.
As she watched him step out of the car, his eyes filled with concern, Jennifer felt her chest tighten, the weight of her emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
Her voice cracked as tears spilled down her cheeks. “How did it come to this? I only wanted what was best for Teresa. That’s why I told her I was saving up to buy a house. I wanted to bring her to live with me. But today, I realized she never wanted to live with me in the first place.” Her voice faltered, thick with emotion. “I don’t understand. What did I do wrong? Everything I did was for her own good.”
Donald reached out, his hand resting gently on her head. “When my sister was little, I used to be the same way. One day, she told me to stop trying to run her life. She didn’t want to be guilt-tripped into doing things my way.
At first, I didn’t get it either. But she explained that not respecting her freedom and choices was a form of emotional manipulation. When I thought about it seriously, I realized I had been overstepping, and it made her resent me.”
Jennifer gave a bitter smile, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “Being an older sibling is so hard. If you don’t care, you’re neglectful. If you care too much, you’re overbearing. Sometimes, I wish I didn’t have to be her older sister.”
Donald wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, his voice steady and reassuring. “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. Teresa is in her twenties now. She’s an adult. She probably doesn’t want you meddling too much in her life.”
“I understand,” Jennifer said softly, “I just want her to come back. She’s my only sister. I want to sit down and have a proper talk with her. I don’t want us to end up as strangers who never speak again.”
‘Teresa, come back,’ Jennifer cried inwardly.
Donald gently pulled Jennifer into a hug, his arms a steady anchor in her storm of emotions. “When she’s ready to come back, she will. Stop overthinking it, and don’t put so much pressure on yourself.”
Jennifer leaned into Donald’s embrace, his steady presence the only thing keeping her from falling apart.