Chapter 285

Judging by Jonathan's expression, Benny knew Teresa had spent the night with Jonathan in Jarisburg. "Wait, why was Teresa in Jarisburg, too?"

"It's fate," Jonathan replied.

Benny chuckled. Something still felt off, he thought. He didn't understand why Teresa had bolted the second she saw him in Nareigh. He was her friend; he wouldn't do anything to her. Her reaction, like a mouse seeing a cat, stung a little.

Jonathan remained convinced it was fate. Benny tried to comfort him, saying, "Alright, I take back what I said about you two not being meant to be. You ran into her in Silvar and in Jarisburg, just never in Nareigh."

"I have to find her," Jonathan said. First, he needed to repay Cheryl's $120,000. Second, he wanted to ask Teresa what she truly meant that night. He'd been drunk, but she hadn't. He wondered why she'd let him do whatever he wanted.

Benny and Jonathan were about to leave. They usually hung out during the holidays and had planned to invite Miriam, but she claimed to be busy.

Just as Benny was thinking about this, he spotted a familiar figure downstairs. He patted Jonathan on the shoulder and told him to look.

From their vantage point at the window, they could see everything below. Miriam was leaning against her car, her arms wrapped around Edward's neck, kissing him. Edward looked awkward and inexperienced, his hands hovering uncertainly at Miriam's waist. Clearly, Miriam was leading the kiss.

Both Benny and Jonathan witnessed the entire scene. Benny grinned, about to shout down at them, but Jonathan stopped him, thinking there was no need to embarrass the couple. Edward was obviously embarrassed, and Miriam's face was flushed, so Benny and Jonathan decided to leave.

Benny rubbed his chin with a mischievous grin. "Miriam's got the right idea—dating a young, energetic guy."

Jonathan snickered. "Man, I feel bad for you. You just can't keep up anymore."

Benny rolled his eyes. "Seriously? That's not funny." Jonathan just shot him a look, leaving Benny to ponder his words.

After Donald's Memorial Day car accident, Cathy gave him $150,000. She told him to buy a new car and use the remainder to improve his love life. Donald's current car was unremarkable. He'd only been working for a couple of years and hadn't saved much. His parents thought he didn't need anything fancy, so they'd gotten him a basic car for about $60,000.

Jennifer always drove the Mercedes Teresa had bought her. Cathy worried Jennifer might look down on Donald's car, so she gave him the money. But instead of buying a new car, Donald combined Cathy's money with his approximately $30,000 in savings as a down payment on a new place for Jennifer. Cathy still didn't know.

After work, Jennifer saw the title deed on her desk. She realized Donald had bought the Chesburg apartment she'd wanted.

"The deed's in your name," Donald said, taking Jennifer's hand and kissing her fingers.

Jennifer pulled her hand back. "Where did you get all that money for the down payment?"

"I've been saving up. And my parents usually give me some pocket money," Donald replied.

Jennifer had been saving to buy a place, hoping Teresa could move in soon. Teresa loved their grandparents, and Jennifer had her eye on a ground-floor unit with a garden at Century Greenway Community, the best neighborhood near their grandparents' old home. If Donald hadn't helped with the down payment, she wouldn't have been able to afford it yet. Over $200,000 was a significant amount for Jennifer.

"We'll pay off the rest of the loan together, so don't worry," Donald said. "Look how good I am to you, so don't break up with me, and don't talk about quitting your job and leaving, okay?"

Jennifer nodded.

"Move in with me. Don't stay by the hospital anymore. I've renovated the place, bought all new furniture, and even set up your room just the way you like it. Come check it out," Donald said.

Jennifer couldn't say no, so she moved in with him. Donald usually lived there alone—his parents hardly ever came by, and Cheryl didn't visit either. Even when Cheryl came home, she always stayed with her parents, so it was just Donald and Jennifer living together.

Donald opened a wardrobe, revealing it packed with brand-new women's clothes and scarves, all with the tags still on—everything he'd picked out just for her.

"Thank you," Jennifer said, deeply touched. Every day with her, he always found new ways to make her feel loved.

After dinner, to celebrate Jennifer officially moving in, Donald uncorked a bottle of red wine and toasted with her. The couple's rings on their left ring fingers sparkled in the light. With a bit of wine in him, Donald poured out his feelings, promised to always treat her well, and kissed Jennifer's lips as his hand slowly wandered down.

He'd dreamed of this moment for so long—holding her close, but never daring to cross the line. This time, Jennifer didn't resist, letting Donald slip off her clothes…

That night, she gave Donald everything she'd been saving—her most precious gift. In bed, their fingers intertwined as he kissed her brow, the bridge of her nose, and finally her lips.

When it mattered most, Jennifer remained clear-headed and ensured he used contraception. Donald, equally responsible, was prepared—the supplies he'd bought in advance finally came in handy.

At that moment, a single tear slid down Jennifer's cheek—partly from pain, partly from happiness.

The next morning, Jennifer woke up early. It was already warm in May, so even without a thick blanket, she didn't feel cold. Donald was still asleep. She gazed at his face, her fingers gently tracing the bridge of his nose and the curve of his cheek.

Her eyes were full of tenderness. Suddenly, she realized it wasn't that he couldn't live without her. Maybe she was the one who couldn't live without him. She'd already given him everything a woman could give. In that aspect, Jennifer was still quite traditional. Even though she'd had some wine last night, her mind had been perfectly clear.

Would marrying him bring her happiness? At that moment, she found herself longing for a future together, dreaming of what marriage with him might be like.