Chapter 346

Jennifer was at a loss for words, which was rare. Finally, she said, “I’ll agree to those three conditions you mentioned earlier. I just don’t want you out there on your own. Even if you don’t treat me like your sister, you’ll always be my little sister.”

After that, Jennifer left. As soon as Jennifer turned around, Miriam quickly slammed the door shut with a bang. Miriam patted her chest, still startled. “Oh my god, how did your sister even find this place? Did you give her the address?”

Teresa replied, “She found it herself. I was as shocked as you.” Miriam grabbed her ID. Teresa told her to leave. Miriam hesitated, asking Teresa what she planned to do and whether she was going back to Nareigh.

Teresa said, “I’ll think about it. Aren’t you going to see Edward? Go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”

Miriam said, “Actually, maybe I shouldn’t leave. You don’t seem in a good mood. I’ll stay with you.”

“No need,” Teresa said with a gentle smile. “I’m fine. I mean it. Go find Edward.”

Miriam said, “Are you sure? Seriously, don’t let your sister get to you. She’s not worth it. Just ignore her, okay?”

Teresa reassured her, “I know, don’t worry about me.” Finally, she convinced Miriam to leave.

After Miriam was gone, Teresa sat alone for a long time. The moon outside was full and bright. There was a saying: the moon shone brightest in one’s hometown. After being away for so long, she found herself missing her hometown. She always thought she could handle everything herself and be strong.

The truth was that she could handle most things by herself, but still, going back was probably the best choice. If she returned to Nareigh, she could go back to her old life. Now that Jennifer knew where she lived, she’d never make things easier for Teresa.

Going back meant Jennifer could focus on Donald, Jonathan would leave Nareigh, Irene would stop thinking she was after Jonathan, and maybe Jonathan would meet another girl, someone Irene approved of. Teresa would have her friends, her company, and her son. Christian wouldn’t be implicated. Maybe this was best for everyone.

Inside the room, Michael was still awake, drawing. When he saw Teresa walk in, he said, “Mom,” and hurried over for a hug. Teresa asked gently, “Why are you still up, sweetheart?”

Michael looked up. “Mom, I couldn’t fall asleep. Are we going back to Nareigh? Will we live in our old house again?”

Teresa asked, “Do you want to go back? Tell me the truth, honey.”

Michael said, “I want to go back, but if we have to live with Jennifer, I don’t want to. I don’t want her to be mean to you or yell at you.”

Teresa hugged Michael tighter, gently patting his back. “We’re not going to live with her. Your aunt is getting married soon, so we probably won’t see her much anymore.”

Michael said, “Mom, does getting married mean people aren’t as close anymore?”

Teresa said, not sure how to explain it, “Sort of.”

Michael sniffled, hugging Teresa even tighter. “Then I don’t want to get married.”

Teresa didn’t say anything else. She just stroked his hair and lulled him to sleep. Half-asleep, Michael mumbled, “Mom, is Mr. Lime coming back too?”

Teresa didn’t hear what he said. She turned off the light and leaned in. “What did you say?” But Michael was fast asleep.

The next day, Teresa went to the hospital for her prenatal checkup. She had an appointment with Rebecca. Rebecca noticed that Teresa looked a bit pale, so she asked, “Are you going back to Nareigh with Jennifer? Nareigh’s a great city, way more developed than Everport. Jennifer told me you cut her off and ran away because you were too immature.”

Teresa couldn’t be bothered to explain. “Whatever you like.” She didn’t expect that Rebecca had told Jennifer she would be there for a checkup.

During the checkup, Jennifer showed up. Rebecca said, “Your sister really cares about you. She wanted to see you during the checkup, so I let her know. Teresa, it’s nice to have a sister like her.” She turned to Jennifer. “Your sister had bad luck—two kids, but her husband doesn’t even care about them. I didn’t even know she was your sister at first. She told me she didn’t have a husband. I was furious. What kind of man just walks away like that?”

“Yeah, maybe,” Jennifer said without retorting.

Teresa said, “Dr. Nelson.” As soon as she said this, both Rebecca and Jennifer looked at her since there were two Dr. Nelsons in the room. Teresa said to Rebecca, “Can you tell me the baby’s gender now?”

Rebecca glanced at Jennifer, who nodded, giving her permission to talk. Rebecca knew Jennifer was Teresa’s older sister and was a gynecologist herself. She thought there was no way Teresa wouldn’t ask her to give her checkups. She was Teresa’s family, after all.

Rebecca said, with ambiguous words, “You can save Michael’s old clothes for the new baby.”