Chapter 350

Jennifer was still a little annoyed. “He’s just your cousin. Do you have to treat him like that?”

Donald frowned. “Come on, I’ve told you before—Jonathan grew up without a dad, so we’re really close. To me, he’s just like a real brother.”

Seeing this, Jennifer said nothing more. She stared out the window with a blank expression. Though reluctant, she had no choice but to endure it.

“Is Donald always that rude to you?” Jonathan asked as he followed Teresa inside.

Teresa frowned. “No, he’s not. I don’t think it’s a big deal, so don’t let it affect your relationship.”

“I’ll talk to him when I get back,” Jonathan said, dropping onto the couch, crossing his legs, and rubbing his aching temples. “Sit down.”

Teresa went to the kitchen, made some coffee, and brought it over. “All I’ve got is instant coffee. Hope that’s okay.”

“Anything’s fine,” Jonathan muttered, looking quite out of it.

Teresa glanced at him. “What’s wrong? It seems like you’re in a bad mood.”

Jonathan stared at her, hesitating. “To leave Nareigh, I had so many things to do that I barely had time to sleep. How could I be in a good mood?”

“But you still had time to drink—and even came to me when you were drunk,” Teresa said, looking away.

“I was still somewhat clear-headed. I remember what I said when I was drunk.”

Teresa’s fingers tightened, her cheeks flushing briefly before she composed herself. “I just knew that you helped my sister get that deputy director job at Nareigh General Hospital.”

“Miriam told me.”

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me? I always thought the director just appreciated my sister.”

“It was nothing,” Jonathan said.

“Anyway, thank you,” Teresa said, her voice sincere but complicated.

“No need.” He stood up, turning his back to Teresa. “I never expected any reward from you. When are you heading back to Nareigh?”

“Tomorrow,” Teresa answered. “You don’t have to leave because of me. I already talked to my sister—once I’m back in Nareigh, she won’t be living with me, and she won’t bother you. What happened between us won’t affect Donald and her, either.”

“Okay.” Jonathan rested his hand on the windowsill. After a long silence, he turned and gazed deeply at Teresa.

Only then did Teresa notice the sachet in his hand—the one Benny had given him, after telling him Teresa had prayed for him at South Mountain.

“You went to South Mountain.” Jonathan’s voice was tight with desperate urgency. “Did you see anything?”

“See what?” Teresa shot back.

“Forget it,” he said, squeezing the sachet tighter before shoving it into his pocket.

“Is that all you wanted to talk about? And about the apartment—did you really have your subordinate buy it? And even pay an extra 150 thousand?”

“Your place might be in an old neighborhood, but the location is good. Getting a decent price is quite possible.”

“But not that much more. You don’t have to do this. I can handle my own stuff,” Teresa insisted.

Jonathan just looked at her, as if to say, ‘Why are you so stubborn?’ He pulled a document from his suit and handed it to her before sitting down again.

“I found the buyer for you. Yeah, it’s my subordinate, but he really wants a place in that neighborhood—it’s a good school district, and he’s considering his kid’s education. Paying an extra 150 thousand isn’t a big deal,” Jonathan explained.

He handed her a pen. “Stop being stubborn. Sell the house, go back to Nareigh, and don’t worry about anything. I’ll get your license plate changed—otherwise, you can’t drive into Nareigh with an Everport plate.”

“I can handle it by myself.”

“Don’t argue with me. I’ve been swamped lately, and I really don’t have the energy to argue with you,” Jonathan cut her off.

Teresa said nothing, noticing the exhaustion in his eyes. She told him to wait, then brought over a bank card, insisting he take it without saying how much was on it. Only then did she agree to sign the contract.

Jonathan smirked and accepted the card. After Teresa signed, the agent could handle the rest. She didn’t need to be there; a copy of her documents would suffice. She could leave tomorrow.

Jonathan stood up, his long fingers resting lightly on Teresa’s head. He looked like he wanted to say something, but changed his mind.

“I’ll have to go back to Nareigh in a few days for some board matters. I’ll handle it myself. Even if I go back, I won’t see you, so you don’t have to worry.” He turned, ready to leave.

“You said…” Teresa’s fingers tightened, her voice shaky. “When you sobered up, we’d do it one last time, remember?”

Jonathan’s tall figure froze. When he turned back, his eyes were filled with anger, devoid of any joy. “What’s that supposed to mean? Do what?”

“Come on, you know exactly what I mean,” Teresa said, forcing the words out.

“Oh, so because I helped your sister, and helped you sell the apartment, you feel like you owe me and have to pay me back somehow?”

“That’s not it. You were the one who said it, when you were drunk—‘one last time.’”

“So you just followed what I said? What do you take me and yourself for, Teresa?” He slammed the door and left, not looking back—just like before their divorce, when she’d told him, “Jonathan, I don’t love you. I’m just grateful to you.”

Teresa stood stunned in the living room, alone. She had agonized over saying those words, driven by her strong pride. She hadn’t expected him to be so angry. But she didn’t dwell on it. It was the only way she could think of to repay him, but since he didn’t like it, she’d just drop it.

Teresa glanced at the two copies of the sales contract and the pen on the table. She had a flight the next day to Nareigh.

Teresa had already talked to Miriam on the phone—Michael was back in Nareigh and staying at Miriam’s place for now. He was playing games with Edward, who got roped into downloading the game just to keep him company.

“My flight’s today. I won’t get to Nareigh until a little after five in the afternoon,” Teresa said.

“I’ll drive over and pick you up when you land. Dinner’s on me tonight—I already booked a table at Grove Bistro,” Miriam replied.

Teresa was confused. She’d never heard of that place.

“It’s a new branch opened by the owner of Fores Restaurant. The place is even bigger than Fores Restaurant,” Miriam explained.

“Really? I still have about 6 thousand dollars left on my membership there. I totally forgot until you mentioned it,” Teresa said.

Miriam just shook her head. “Honestly, Teresa… Let’s talk when you get back.”

Teresa headed to the airport.