Chapter 360

Irene snapped out of her shock, bent to pick up her phone from the floor, and scoffed, “Wow, I’m impressed. Why should I listen to you just because you say so?”

Jennifer retorted, “Anyway, I’m not letting you call Donald. You’re not his mother, so stop acting like it. You’re just a widow. Why don’t you worry about your own son instead?”

That clearly struck a nerve with Irene. “What did you say? Say that again! Who are you calling a widow?”

Jennifer snapped back, “You’ve been a widow for years. What’s there to be so sensitive about?”

Irene was furious. “You—”

Teresa, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “There’s a Lynn family dinner today. I wonder if Hayden is back in Nareigh. Should I call him and have him come to the police station?”

Irene’s gaze shifted from Jennifer to Teresa. “How do you even know about the family dinner? Planning to show up too? Do you really think you deserve—”

“I don’t deserve it—is that what you want to hear?” Teresa cut her off, raising a hand, her face completely expressionless. “Don’t worry. I won’t be showing up at any Lynn family event. You have my word.”

Irene looked like she wanted to say more, but her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and then glared at Jennifer and Teresa. “You two, just wait and see.”

After Irene left, the police didn’t pursue anything with Jennifer. It was just a shouting match; no real harm was done. Still, Teresa noticed a scratch on Jennifer’s cheek, left by someone’s fingernail.

She sighed. “Was it worth it? I know exactly what Irene’s temper is like. I told you, don’t get into it with the Lynn family because of me. You still have to marry into that family, remember?”

“She started it,” Jennifer said coldly. “She insulted you right in front of me. She was clearly trying to put me in my place. There’s no way I’d just let that slide. We’re not the kind of sisters people can push around.”

Teresa said nothing. She walked out of the police station alone. It was already dark outside.

“The Lynn family dinner must be starting soon. You should get going,” Teresa said lightly.

Jennifer asked, “Want me to drive you home? How did you get here?”

Teresa replied, “I drove. Don’t worry about me.”

Before leaving, Teresa glanced at Jennifer, remembering how anxious she’d looked when Irene threatened to call Donald. It was the first time Teresa had seen Jennifer so agitated.

“You really have fallen for Donald, haven’t you?” she mused.

Jennifer didn’t deny it. “Honestly, I thought I wouldn’t. But he’s been with me this whole time. If he left, I don’t know what I’d do. But…”

She paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I have my own boundaries. I’m not going to give up who I am just for love.”

Teresa let out a short, mocking laugh and thought, ‘Boundaries? What even are her boundaries? Hasn’t she already crossed plenty?’ She couldn’t be bothered to argue. “If you’re going to love, then love with your whole heart. Just don’t end up like me. Good luck.”

08:53 Mon, 26 May Chapter 360

With that, Teresa turned and walked away, not even realizing she’d just repeated the same words Jonathan once said to Donald.

Without delay, Jennifer hurried over to Donald’s place.

This family dinner was organized by Donald’s parents—partly to celebrate his new car, which hadn’t even had its “first drive” ceremony yet, and partly as a chance for everyone to catch up. Two birds with one stone. Since Jennifer had been dating Donald for quite a while, it would have looked bad if she didn’t show up.