Chapter 349

After Teresa hung up, Jonathan texted her.

Jonathan: [You never let me finish what I want to say.] Teresa: [What did you want to say? Didn't I just say that we’ll talk when we meet?] Jonathan: [I’m in a meeting. We’ll talk later.] Teresa: [What time is “later”?] Jonathan: [Not sure.]

When Teresa saw the last two words, she didn’t reply. Since he didn’t know, she would just wait.

Jennifer suddenly showed up at her place, along with Donald. Teresa sneered, “Now that you know where I live, you just come over anytime you want, huh? I’m an adult. I’m not going to starve to death.”

Donald tried to play peacemaker. “Jennifer is just worried about you. She’s afraid you’re not eating well.”

Jennifer chimed in, “Honestly, since we’re in Everport and I came to see you, you should be the one treating us. You’re always so clueless.”

“Fridge’s empty. Bye,” Teresa said, cutting them off.

Donald said, “How about I treat you both? You’re sisters, reunited in Everport. We’re all family here, aren’t we? It just feels right to have a meal together before we leave.”

They’d rushed over, and now they were about to rush off again—without even sharing a meal? That didn’t seem right. If Teresa refused, Jennifer would probably stand there all day, and Donald would keep accompanying her.

Teresa finally headed downstairs. Donald drove while Teresa and Jennifer sat in the back.

Trying to break the ice, Jennifer grabbed Teresa’s hand. “Honestly, you’re going to be the death of me.”

Teresa pulled her hand away and stared out the window, expressionlessly.

Donald said, “Teresa, Jennifer really worries about you. She’s always telling me she’s afraid you’re not eating or sleeping well.” Jennifer looked at Teresa with expectant eyes. Donald paused. He added, “Teresa, Jennifer really does care about you.”

Teresa felt a strange mix of emotions. She frowned, saying nothing. Donald hesitated. “Teresa?”

“Just stop talking, Donald,” Jennifer cut in.

Teresa sighed, “I don’t need you to tell me if she cares about me.”

Jennifer snapped, “How can you speak to him like that? That’s so rude.”

Teresa shrugged. “That’s just how I talk. You know me.”

They got a window seat at an Everport barbecue restaurant. Donald, the gentleman, tied a little apron around Jennifer, and she helped him put his on, too.

“Let Teresa take a look first—see what she wants to eat,” Donald said, sliding the menu over to her.

“Whatever. You two decide,” Teresa replied, remaining terse.

Donald stopped asking Teresa and turned to Jennifer for her opinion, occasionally looking at her tenderly. Jennifer clearly enjoyed the attention, while Teresa felt awkward, witnessing their display of affection throughout the meal.

She couldn’t help but wonder—when she and Jonathan were still married, did people around them feel so awkward, too? The couple showing off their affection might feel great, but for the person stuck watching, it was just uncomfortable. At least for Teresa, watching Jennifer and Donald act all sweet was repulsive—she didn’t know why.

During the meal, Teresa ate silently, ignoring them. Only after finishing did she remember something. She checked her phone, which was on silent mode, and saw Jonathan had called. She sent him a message: [I’m having dinner with Jennifer and Donald.]

Jonathan: [I just finished my work; haven’t eaten yet.] Teresa: [You really don’t need to come here.]

Teresa thought, If you show up, you’ll just end up watching those two being all lovey-dovey. Why put yourself through that?

Jonathan: [Okay.] Teresa: [I’m heading back now.]

Teresa was in a rush to leave, and since Donald and Jennifer had almost finished eating, too, the two offered to take Teresa home.

Jennifer said, “Why don’t you just stay with me tonight? We can go to the airport together tomorrow.”

“No, thanks. I don’t want to stay with you two. It’s too annoying,” Teresa shot back.

Teresa had already gotten out of the car. She wasn’t like Jennifer, who lacked a sense of boundaries.

Jennifer called after her, “You forgot your bag.”

“Oh.” Teresa turned back to grab her bag. Seeing Teresa’s consistently poor attitude towards Jennifer, Donald was quite angry. After all, Jennifer had been so worried about Teresa. However, Teresa didn’t seem to appreciate it at all. She’d been giving Jennifer the cold shoulder during the whole dinner.

As soon as he got out of the car, Donald couldn’t help but say, “Teresa Johnston, do you have to be like that? You’re breaking Jennifer’s heart.”

“You don’t get to say that to her.” A cold, annoyed voice suddenly came from behind. Jonathan had already crossed the street and was walking over, tall and composed, his eyes fixed on Donald as he frowned. “Don’t be so rude to her.”

Before Donald could say anything, Jennifer spoke up, “He’s my boyfriend. He just said that for my sake.”

Jonathan didn’t even look at Jennifer, still staring at Donald. “Apologize to her.”

Teresa said, “Let it go. It’s nothing.”

“Apologize, now,” Jonathan insisted stubbornly.

Donald nodded. “Alright. I was wrong. Sorry, Teresa.”

“Let’s go.” Jonathan wrapped his arm around Teresa’s waist and, without another word, led her toward her apartment.

“Why did you apologize? You didn’t say anything wrong,” Jennifer said, taking a deep breath.

But this time, Donald didn’t take Jennifer’s side. “I crossed the line. She’s Jonathan’s woman. I shouldn’t have said that to her.”

This was the first time Donald had refused to listen to Jennifer. Normally, he always backed her up, knowing how stubborn she was.

Jennifer got even more upset. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“Alright, alright, let’s just go,” Donald said, trying to change the subject.

Jennifer yanked her hand out of Donald’s and got into the car angrily.

Donald got in too and tried to reason with Jennifer. “Of course I’m on your side, but I have to be more polite to her, okay? After all, she was Jonathan’s wife.”

“You—” Jennifer started.

“This time, just do as I say,” Donald said.