Chapter 335

‘Pretend we didn’t meet?’ Jennifer mused, heartbroken. She asked, “Teresa, do you know how much I’ve missed you? I’ve been looking for you this whole time.”

Teresa averted her gaze. “Aren’t you busy being all lovey-dovey with Donald? Why would you still care about me or bother looking for me?”

Jennifer replied, “You really think I’d just forget about you because I’m dating someone? You know how much I care about you.” She glanced at Teresa’s belly. Its flatness made her feel even worse. “It’s been three months, and your belly is still flat. Wouldn’t it be better if you stayed in Fernlandia? Or at least let me know you were here, so I could cook for you.”

“I already mastered cooking,” Teresa said.

“Oh, really? So you can cook now? What, just a couple of simple stir-fries? I bet that’s all. And you came for your checkup alone? Where’s Mike? Didn’t he come with you?” Jennifer asked.

“He’s home,” Teresa said. She didn’t want to talk and said coolly, “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

“Wait, Teresa…” Jennifer said.

Rebecca appeared, observing the stubborn Teresa and attempting to mediate. “If I hadn’t chatted with Jennifer, I wouldn’t have known you two were siblings. I always felt you looked alike. Now you’re pregnant, so don’t be immature. Just go home with her,” Rebecca said.

“Immature?” Teresa looked at Rebecca, upset. “Right, Rebecca, it’s all my fault. I’m pregnant, but I don’t listen to Jennifer. I should be blamed, okay?”

She should have realized sooner. Two people with the same last name, Nelson. They must be related.

Jennifer looked at Teresa disappointedly. “Sorry, Rebecca. Teresa’s so immature and causing you trouble.”

Teresa was speechless and turned to leave. Jennifer tried to catch up, but it was too late. Teresa had already gotten in her car, floored the gas, and sped off.

Watching Teresa drive away so fast, Jennifer felt anxious and angry. Her face went pale when Donald arrived—he’d been nearby and came to find her.

“What’s wrong?” Donald asked, getting out of the car. He put his arm around Jennifer’s shoulders. “Weren’t you catching up with Rebecca? Didn’t go well?”

Jennifer sighed. “I saw Teresa. She’s been hiding out here. She actually lives nearby.”

“Really?” Donald looked puzzled. “Where did you see her? Where is she now?”

“At the hospital. She was there for—” Jennifer stopped herself before saying “a prenatal checkup.” Right now, she was the only one who knew Teresa was pregnant. “She was in the area. I saw her, trying to catch up and talk, but she just drove off at a fast speed. It pissed me off. I worry about her every day, but she just did this…”

Donald pulled Jennifer closer. “Did you speak to her in that tone again? You always do this, never saying things nicely, even when you mean well.”

Jennifer leaned into Donald’s arms, grateful for his support. “I’m not going back to Nareigh for now,” she said. “Teresa’s definitely living nearby. Now I don’t have to worry about her running off again. I’ll stay here and wait for her to come back with me.”

Donald was quiet for a few seconds. “I think I still have the chance to ask for leave this month.”

“You should go back. I’ll be fine here on my own,” Jennifer said.

“No way. If so, I’m staying too. I’ll book us a hotel,” Donald said. While booking a hotel, he contacted Jonathan, figuring he should let him know they’d found Teresa. He didn’t realize Jonathan was actually the first to find her and had been quietly keeping it to himself.

“Jennifer is here too?” Jonathan asked Donald, frowning at the confirmation. “I’ll arrange the hotel for you.”

“No need, Jonathan. I’ll just book a room myself,” Donald replied.

“I never checked out of my hotel room anyway. You can live in.”

“Oh, thanks. If I find out where Teresa’s staying, I’ll let you know right away,” Donald said.

Jonathan was silent. He’d planned to return to Nareigh—he’d been working at the branch office too long. But with Teresa here, he hadn’t left. Now, hearing Jennifer had arrived, he wanted to leave, but he couldn’t.

Teresa drove home just in time. Michael ran over, hugging her leg and asking her to check out his game—he’d just leveled up again. Teresa barely glanced at it, then settled him and headed straight to her room.

“Hey, Teresa, what’s wrong? Did something happen?” Miriam asked, sensing something was off.

“Jennifer saw me,” Teresa said, casually running her fingers through her hair.

“And then?” Miriam asked, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Teresa told her how Jennifer had grabbed her hand, scolding her for being immature.

Miriam was quiet for a few seconds. “Okay, I take back what I said about her not going to look after you. As I see, she’ll still discipline you even when she’s old.”

Teresa didn’t say anything. She’d left Nareigh hoping to live on her own, but somehow everyone she knew found her—first Jonathan, then Benny, Miriam, and now Jennifer.

Just as Teresa was worried, Michael shouted, “It’s Mr. Lime’s car!” He bounced over to Teresa, tugging at her sleeve. “Mom, look! Mr. Lime’s car.”

Teresa grabbed the binoculars. On the balcony, she saw Jonathan’s car parked at the gate of the community. ‘What does he want at this hour?’ she wondered.

“I’m heading downstairs for a bit. Miriam, can you keep an eye on Mike for me?” she said.

Miriam nodded, holding onto Michael’s arm. Michael pouted, watching Teresa go down to meet Jonathan, who had just parked and was about to come up. But Teresa was already downstairs. She stopped him and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Jonathan asked directly, “Did Jennifer come looking for you?”

Teresa was surprised. “Who told you that?”

“Donald told me. What did Jennifer say? Does she want you to go back? And what do you think of it?” Jonathan asked.

“I don’t want to go back,” Teresa replied.

“Still not going back?” Jonathan asked, raising his eyebrows. “Haven’t you had enough? You got harassed by a coworker’s brother and almost got drugged by the old principal. Your job’s a hassle; the pay sucks. So what’s so great about staying here?”

“I will stay,” Teresa responded.

“What? What do you even like about this place? What’s so bad about Nareigh?” Jonathan asked.

“I’ll tell you why,” Teresa said seriously. “I don’t wanna live with Jennifer, I don’t wanna lose my freedom, and I sure as heck don’t wanna get picked on by your mom. And I definitely don’t wanna get tangled up with you again.”