Chapter 340

The man exited the car. When Teresa saw him, she froze for a second. Then, instinctively, she wrapped her arm around Michael's shoulders and steered the child toward Miriam. Teresa greeted him with a nod. "Donald."

Donald replied, "Hey, Teresa." He'd come to Everport to buy a car—both he and Jennifer were there. Jennifer was looking for Rebecca, and Donald was there for the car. Cars were significantly cheaper in Everport than in Nareigh. He'd sold his old car and bought a black Audi A7. He'd borrowed money from Jonathan because his parents' contribution toward a new car had already gone toward Jennifer's house.

Miriam introduced herself, "You're Jonathan's cousin, right? Hi, I'm Miriam Shaw."

Michael shouted, waving at Donald, "Doctor!"

Donald looked confused. He pointed at Michael and asked Teresa, "Didn't you say this kid was your friend's? I think I heard him call you Mom."

Teresa replied calmly, "Oh, you must have misheard."

Donald said, "No, I'm pretty sure he called you…"

Teresa cut him off, "I'll explain it to you later." She gestured to Miriam, who quickly ushered Michael into a cab.

Teresa turned to Donald. "So, what brings you here? Is my sister still here?"

Donald's attention shifted immediately at the mention of Jennifer. He said, "Jennifer's worried you're not doing well here, so she's not heading back yet. We're staying at a hotel. Teresa, why don't you talk with her?"

Teresa said flatly, "No, I don't want to see her." She added, "I'm doing fine here. Just ask her to go back."

Donald said, "You should see her. She's been looking everywhere for you."

As he spoke, Donald glanced at Michael, who was waiting obediently in the cab across the street, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

Noticing Donald's doubt, Teresa said, "Alright, I won't make things difficult for you. I'll meet with my sister."

Donald relaxed. "Great, I'll drive you over. Jennifer's at the hotel. She'll be so happy to see you."

Teresa replied, "Okay."

As she turned, Teresa signaled Miriam to take Michael home first, as she would be out. Then Teresa got into Donald's car.

They soon arrived at the hotel. Jennifer heard a knock and thought Donald was back. She opened the door and saw Teresa standing next to Donald.

For a second, Jennifer thought it was an illusion. Excited and flustered, she quickly turned to Donald. "What's going on?"

Donald said, "I ran into my ex-sister-in-law on the way here. You two can catch up. I'll head to the restroom to leave you alone."

After that, he went downstairs, leaving Jennifer and Teresa in the living room.

As soon as Teresa walked in, Jennifer closed the door. Donald hesitated, then pulled out his phone to send Jonathan a message: [I found Teresa. She’s with Jennifer right now. The two of them are talking]. He snapped a photo of the hotel and room number and sent it to Jonathan.

Inside the living room, Jennifer reached out to Teresa, but Teresa impatiently pushed her away.

Teresa went straight to the point. "Just now, on the street, Donald heard Mike call me 'Mom.' He asked what was going on, but I didn't admit it."

Jennifer's eyes flickered, a hint of panic flashing across her face. "Really?"

Teresa's expression didn't change. She said, "Just make up an excuse. If he finds out the truth about the kid, he'll definitely tell his cousin, and then your career is over."

Jennifer understood this better than Teresa did. That was exactly why she always felt like she was walking on eggshells. She calmed herself. "I know it. I'll come up with a story for Donald. You don't need to worry about it."

Teresa said, "Worry? Why would I worry? I'm just the clueless little sister, right? With you, the all-powerful big sis, what could possibly go wrong?"

Jennifer frowned, easily picking up on the sarcasm. She said, "Was I wrong when I said you were reckless? You're pregnant, but you didn't tell anyone where you were. You never contacted your family. Aren't you reckless?"

Teresa let out a cold laugh. "Didn't you tell me to leave Nareigh? You were so scared someone would find out about the baby, so you insisted I leave right away, not even a day's delay. I left. I didn't go back. I did exactly what you wanted. And I'm the one being reckless?"

Jennifer said, "I told you to go to Fernlandia and stay with Evelyn. How was I supposed to know you'd just disappear? You could go wherever you wanted, but you could've at least told me, right?"

Teresa exhaled deeply and slowly. She said coldly, "Hannah, I'm pregnant. I don't want to get worked up. If you just want to lecture me, please shut up. I've really had enough of your lectures. If Donald hadn't found Michael, I wouldn't have come here to see you at all. I'm only here for my kid, period."

Jennifer became quiet, her face as grim as Teresa's. After a moment, she glanced at Teresa's belly. "Go back, Teresa," Jennifer said. "Listen, head back to Nareigh and leave Mike here. I'll handle everything. Once you're settled in Nareigh, pick Mike up. Just tell people a friend trusts you with him. Don't go back with him, or people will be suspicious."

Teresa refused immediately. "Wherever I go, my son goes. I can't be apart from him, not even for a single day."

Jennifer said, "Why are you so stubborn? I'm your sister. I'd never hurt you. You can go back to Nareigh now. Why do you always defy me?"

Teresa said, "When have I ever defied you? I am wrong no matter what I do! Hannah, are you trying to drive me crazy? Would that make you happy?"

Jennifer said, "You!" Suddenly, Teresa's stomach rumbled. Jennifer sighed, realizing she was the one out of her mind. "You're hungry, aren't you? I'll go make you some pasta. They've got a gas stove here. Just wait here for me."

But as soon as Jennifer went to the kitchen, Teresa slipped out.

Jennifer was angry with her sister. She rushed out, but Teresa was nowhere to be seen. Just as Jennifer was about to turn around, she saw a familiar figure. Jonathan stepped out of the elevator and walked over to her slowly.