Irene tugged on Cathy’s sleeve and whispered, loud enough for Jennifer to hear, “Cathy, you better keep an eye on your money. Don’t give Donald too much, or he’ll spend it all on her.”

“Jonathan’s the same,” she continued. “Makes a little money and spends it all on Teresa. Those two sisters are exactly alike.”

Jennifer slammed her fork down, her expression icy. “Irene, haven’t you said enough?”

“Dad, did you hear that?” Irene exclaimed. “She yelled at me! She has no manners at all. At least Teresa knows to be polite. But her big sister? Even worse. She’s harder to handle and totally unfit to be our family’s daughter-in-law.”

Jennifer stood, staring Irene down. “I’m here to celebrate my boyfriend’s mother’s birthday, not to put up with your attitude. Who do you think you are to lecture me? You really think I’m desperate to marry into your family? Honestly, this meal is hard to swallow.”

Jennifer turned and walked out without a backward glance. “Jennifer—” Donald called, hurrying after her.

Cathy took another sip of water. Cheryl, quickly assessing the situation, slid back her chair. “I—I’ll go check on her,” she mumbled, then dashed out. Cathy, preoccupied with Donald’s situation, didn’t notice anything unusual about Cheryl’s departure.

Hayden stood, walked to Irene, and slapped her hard across the face. The room fell silent.

“You just can’t stop running your mouth, can you?” Hayden shouted. “Even the ducks in the river are quieter than you!”

“Dad,” Werner interjected, “please calm down.”

Hayden pushed him aside, pointing at Irene. “You’ve ruined a perfectly good family dinner.”

Irene clutched her cheek. “I’m just thinking of the Lynn family, thinking of Donald. Do you really want a woman like that joining the family?”

“What’s wrong with her? She’s a good kid, and Teresa’s sister. What’s the problem?” Hayden replied.

“Good? You think those Johnston sisters are any good? One’s a Johnston, the other a Nelson. You heard Donald call her Hannah? That’s just to keep you happy. Her real name is Jennifer Nelson.”

Hayden looked at Cathy, who finally said, “She really is Teresa’s sister, and yes, her name is Jennifer. She’s also called Hannah. Donald doesn’t care, so I don’t have much to say.”

Hayden seemed to regain his composure. “Whatever her name is, as long as my grandson likes her, that’s all that matters.”

Irene let out a cold snort. “Their mother has been married twice, and they are no better. Marriage isn’t the same as dating, you know.”

Hayden was furious. “Get out! You already messed up Jonathan’s marriage. Did you think I didn’t know? Now you’re trying to ruin Donald’s too. Like father, like daughter. From now on, stay away from our family dinners.”

Irene stormed out, tears streaming down her face. Cathy hurried to comfort her, while Werner patted Hayden’s chest, trying to calm him.

Hayden propped himself up with his cane and grumbled, “Can’t even get through a meal in peace. Irene is nothing but trouble.”

“Dad, Irene’s had it tough too,” Werner said. “My brother’s been gone for years, and she’s always done her best raising Jonathan.”

Hayden snorted. “Jonathan didn’t turn out well because of her, and that’s all thanks to our family’s values. With a father like Gordon, what do you expect about her? She’s his daughter, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Werner asked, “Dad, what did Gordon ever do to you?”

Hayden huffed, keeping the old grudges to himself. Some things were better left unsaid.

“Let go,” Jennifer snapped, yanking her hand from Donald’s grip and heading for her car. Donald quickly followed, worried she might drive recklessly. She pulled over in front of the Simpson Law Firm, and he stopped behind her.

Jennifer walked to Donald, pulled out her phone, and transferred thirty thousand dollars to him. “There’s still one hundred fifty thousand left. I’ll pay you back little by little,” she said firmly.

Donald frowned. “Jennifer… don’t do this. You know I’m serious about you.”

Jennifer stood her ground. “I have to write you an IOU right now. I need to pay you back. I can’t let Irene go around saying I’m just after your money.”

“You were the one who insisted on paying the down payment for me. I never said I wouldn’t pay you back. Well, here you go. I’ve paid you some now. As for the rest, I’ll pay off slowly,” she added.

Donald, becoming annoyed, said, “Jennifer, aren’t you going a bit too far? Do you know how much that hurts?”

Jennifer shot back, “And what about Irene? Her words didn’t hurt? I get it now. I can’t owe you a single cent. If she finds out, she’ll talk behind my back and drag Teresa into it too. Teresa’s all I’ve got. I can’t let her get caught up in this with me.”

Donald sighed helplessly. “Irene just has a sharp tongue. She’s only my aunt, and we only see her a few times a year at family gatherings. My parents, my grandpa, and I all like you. Can’t you just ignore her?”

“That’s just how Irene is,” Jennifer muttered. “I can’t believe Teresa put up with her for two years. My poor Teresa.”

Donald tried to take Jennifer’s hand again, but she impatiently shook him off. A flash of exhaustion crossed Donald’s eyes.