Just as Teresa was about to take a sip, Jennifer snatched the glass from her hand. “Teresa, are you out of your mind? You have to drive later.”

“It’s none of your business,” Teresa muttered, frowning as she retrieved the glass.

Hayden spoke up, “Teresa, I know you mean well, but don’t drink. You have to drive. It would be dangerous.”

Teresa pressed her lips together, refusing to put the glass down. Jonathan, who had been silent all night, finally stood up. He poured two shots, raising one to Hayden. “Grandpa, let me drink this for her. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. Teresa never did anything wrong.” He downed it in one gulp. Then, with the second glass, Jonathan turned to Teresa’s family. “Evelyn, thanks for raising such a great daughter. I wouldn’t have met Teresa without you. Jennifer, Donald, I wish you a happy marriage.” He paused, looking at Teresa. “Teresa, I hope things only get better for you.” He chugged down the shot of strong wine. Among everyone present, only Hayden sighed genuinely, brimming with regret and helplessness over their failed marriage.

After dinner, everyone said their goodbyes. Evelyn got into Teresa’s car, asking her for a ride to the hotel.

“Get in,” Teresa said, pulling the car around. She hadn’t touched a drop, but Evelyn was already intoxicated.

“Your sister found a good man. Why don’t you just do what Hayden said and get back with Jonathan? He still cares about you, you know,” Evelyn said.

Teresa spun the wheel. “Mom, just drop it.”

Evelyn mumbled, “I just want you and your sister to be happy; that’s all a mom wants.”

Teresa shot back, “Do you really care about my happiness?”

“How could you even say that? Every mom wants the best for her daughter. If it weren’t for Irene… What does she think she is?” Evelyn’s voice faded as she dozed off, her snores softly filling the car.

Teresa continued driving, the stereo playing a gentle love song—the kind she used to love when she was married. She didn’t wake Evelyn until they arrived at the hotel. She watched Evelyn enter before heading off to pick up Michael.

Michael was still angry that Teresa had gone to dinner without him, so he didn’t speak to her the whole way home.

Once they got home, Teresa pulled out two large crabs. “Look, I didn’t forget about you—I snuck these crabs out just for you.”

“Wow, Mom, these crabs have huge claws!” Michael’s eyes lit up.

“You’ll have them tomorrow morning.”

Michael nodded, immediately making up with Teresa. “Mom, was the party fun? When will you take me to one?”

“Next time,” Teresa replied, always quick to make big promises to Michael.

The next morning, Teresa suddenly had a stomachache. She wondered if it was something she ate the previous day, though she hadn’t eaten much. She went to the hospital for a checkup. She hadn’t booked with Jennifer, but Jennifer happened to see her pulling into the parking lot and rushed over, insisting on performing the prenatal exam herself.

Since it was all about the baby’s safety, Teresa nodded and agreed.

Jennifer scolded her, “I saw you eating a bunch of seafood last night.”

“I didn’t even touch the crab, just had a little abalone,” Teresa replied.

“If I hadn’t stopped you, you would’ve had wine too. What about the baby? Good thing I was there,” Jennifer retorted.

Teresa frowned. “Can you stop nagging me?”

Jennifer fell silent.

After the checkup, everything looked good. The baby was healthy, and the ultrasound was even clearer than the last one they’d had in Everport. They could clearly see it was a boy.

Jennifer looked a little disappointed. “I was hoping maybe it’d be a girl.”

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Teresa said. “I’ll love my child no matter what.”

As Teresa was about to leave, Jennifer called out, “From now on, come to me for all your checkups. Don’t go to anyone else—unless you’re ready to stop hiding this.”

Teresa didn’t say anything.

Jennifer added, “That baby is my nephew. I care about him more than any other doctor.”

“And you should also look out for Cheryl’s baby. She’s due this month. That’s a life, and she’s your boyfriend’s sister. You really should tell her family. I just can’t understand what you’re thinking,” Teresa said.

Jennifer said, “Because I don’t want to lose Donald. I’m not willing to risk even the slightest chance of losing him.”