Jennifer frowned, thinking she must have been experiencing an illusion. She looked at Jonathan. “What are you doing here?”

Jonathan asked, “Isn’t Teresa here?”

Jennifer snorted. “She just left.” Apparently, when Teresa took the elevator down, Jonathan was in another one. He had bad luck. The more Jennifer thought about it, the more she felt like these two were never meant to be together.

Jonathan had assumed Teresa would be there. Since Jennifer was, he figured it was a good chance to clear the air.

Jennifer said sharply, “Did you know Teresa was here?”

Jonathan recovered and didn’t deny it. “She hasn’t been doing well. She lives alone in an old apartment, gets harassed by her coworkers, and the principal even tried to drug her. She doesn’t have a car, so commuting is tough.”

Jennifer became furious—this time, because of Jonathan. “Really? Then why didn’t you tell me sooner? I’m her sister! If I’d known she was living like this, I would’ve taken her home right away.”

Jonathan said, “The reason she doesn’t want to go back is because she doesn’t want you to control her life.”

Jennifer fell silent, her eyes darkening. She masked her pride with sarcasm. “Control her? That’s not for you to decide. This is between me and my sister. You’re just her ex-husband. Stay out of it.”

“I know it’s not my decision,” Jonathan replied calmly. “I want the same thing you do. I want her to go back to Nareigh, where she grew up. Her friends, like Miriam and Benny, the Teresouth Group, and Rosary Estates, the high-end community where she lived, are all there. Her life would be like before. At least you could stop worrying, right?”

He paused, a hint of loneliness flickering in his dark eyes, then continued, “If she goes back to Nareigh, I won’t contact her again. I’ll leave Nareigh.”

Jennifer narrowed her eyes. “You’re serious about this?”

If Jonathan left, Jennifer would be more than happy. That way, even if Teresa returned with the child, Jonathan would never find out. Donald wouldn’t meddle in Teresa’s affairs either. She could simply fabricate a story for Donald—he always believed her anyway.

Jonathan nodded slightly. “She doesn’t want to go back because she doesn’t want to live with you. So I hope you can respect her. When she does go back, let her be.”

Jennifer was annoyed. She thought, “Who is he to talk to me like this? He’s only her ex-husband.” But then she remembered he was Donald’s cousin. For Donald’s sake, Jennifer decided to tolerate him.

Jennifer said, “Okay. I promise you, when Teresa goes back, Rosary Estates is still hers. I won’t live with her. I won’t contact her. I’ll only check in on holidays.”

Jonathan said, “Thank you.”

Jennifer said sharply, “I hope you keep your word. And seriously, stop bothering my sister. You two have been divorced for ages. What’s the point? Why do you keep pestering her?”

Jonathan replied, “I’ll keep my promise.”

After that, he turned and walked away.

08:50 Mon, 20 May Chapter 341

That was all he could do. He’d already done everything he could for Teresa.

After Jonathan left the hotel, his phone started ringing.

Irene: [Mr. Lynn, the DNA test you asked for is done. I’ve sent it to you.]

Jonathan unlocked his phone and checked the report of the recording Irene had sent him. He still couldn’t believe Teresa would ever say those awful things about him. As soon as he opened the file, he found, obviously, the recording was doctored. The voice was hers, but someone had rearranged the order of the words she said.

Jonathan couldn’t help but smile. He wasn’t even sure why he felt happy. Maybe it was because, at the end of the day, he still knew her well.

He put his phone away and got into the car. Donald was showing off his new car to Jennifer, but she was distracted.

She asked, “Where did you get the money to buy this car?”

Donald said, his eyes flickering, “My dad gave me some more cash.” Men always wanted to look rich, especially in front of their girlfriends.

Jennifer said, “Is that so?” She didn’t question it. She just changed the subject to the child. She explained it was Teresa’s friend’s child and said she planned to have Teresa go back to Nareigh first while she stayed to look after the kid for a few days.

Donald said, “So you and your sister are taking turns babysitting that kid? Oh, and I heard him call her ‘Mom’ a bunch of times.”

Jennifer said, “He’s a poor kid. His mom doesn’t care about him. She basically leaves him to Teresa. What else can I do? She’s my only sister. If I can help her, I will.”

Donald wasn’t suspicious. He said, “Are there really moms out there who don’t care about their own kids?”

Jennifer said, “Plenty. Think about my mom.”

Donald kissed Jennifer on the forehead and said in a voice full of tenderness, “Whatever pain your family put you through, I’ll make it up to you.”

Jennifer nodded, completely believing him.

Jennifer said, “My turn now. Did you tip off your cousin? How else did he know Teresa was here?”

“Um…” Donald quickly took out his phone and showed it to her. “I just mentioned it to him. That’s all.”

Jennifer immediately snatched his phone and confirmed that he had sent Jonathan the room number, but thankfully, he hadn’t said anything about the kid calling Teresa “Mom.” She finally let out a sigh of relief. “Don’t do that again. You’re not his errand boy. Why are you reporting everything to him?”

Donald shrugged. “He’s like my big brother.”

Jennifer said, “But my sister is his ex-wife.”

Donald said, “Alright, alright. I get it.” Whether he’d actually stop telling Jonathan things was up to him.

Back in the room, Donald’s dad, Werner, asked him about the new car. “You bought an Audi A7? Why not just get an A8?”

Donald said, “No budget, Dad. Besides, Jonathan already has an A8. I’d feel weird driving the same car as him.”

Werner chuckled. “If you need more money, just tell me. We’re family. An A8 won’t break the bank. Your cousin barely drives his A8 anyway; I always see him in his Maybach.”

Donald said, “Let’s just stick with my A7. It’s good enough. You and Mom don’t need to worry about me.” Then he hung up, a hint of loneliness flickering in his eyes.

Teresa was already back home. Since Miriam hadn’t gone back to Nareigh, Edward came to see her. Miriam asked how he arrived. Edward said he took the train.

Miriam said, “Teresa, I’m going to see my little Eddie. I miss him so much!”

Watching Miriam rush out, Teresa suddenly remembered back when she was still married to Jonathan, she always said, “Jonathan, I’m going to have dinner with Miriam.” Teresa was never the type to ditch her friends for a guy.

Speak of the devil. Just as she was thinking about him, Jonathan called her. She didn’t answer, but he called again. Jonathan’s drunken voice came through the phone. “Come downstairs. I need to talk to you. I’ll give you three minutes. If you’re not down here by then, I’m coming up and kicking your door down.”