Chapter 419

“How am I supposed to know what Sanford meant? I told you, he’s nuts,” Teresa said.

“Still not going to tell the truth, huh?” Jonathan pressed.

“I…” Teresa closed her eyes. She knew that if she didn’t explain now, Jonathan would definitely start digging, and he’d end up finding out about Michael.

After weighing her options, Teresa finally gave in. “Alright, I guess I have to clear this up, or my reputation’s toast. Sanford was talking about my mom’s youngest daughter, Isabel. My mom’s been busy lately, so she left the kid with me. That’s why Sanford thought Isabel was my daughter.”

Jonathan felt like something was still amiss. “Why does everyone ask you to babysit? First your coworker’s son, and now your mom’s kid. Doesn’t your mom know you can barely take care of yourself?”

“So you’re saying my mom should’ve asked my sister, who’s a gynecologist, for help?” Teresa asked.

Jonathan did think so. After all, Evelyn didn’t just have Teresa as a daughter.

Teresa explained, “My sister and my mom have never gotten along. My mom’s too scared to ask her for help. Even at my sister’s engagement party, my mom barely spoke to her. That’s why she could only come to me.”

Jonathan’s thin lips pressed into a straight line.

Teresa continued, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll call Isabel and Sanford over right now. We can clear this up face-to-face. I don’t want to get dragged into your mess—I haven’t done anything to either of you.”

Jonathan frowned. “I don’t even know Sanford. I have no idea why he came at me today.”

Just then, Teresa’s phone rang. Speak of the devil—Sanford was calling. She hung up, but he called again.

Teresa was about to decline the call again, but Jonathan spoke up beside her. “Answer it. If you don’t, it’ll look like you’re hiding something.”

Teresa frowned and answered.

“Where are you right now?” Sanford’s voice came through the phone.

Teresa cleared her throat. “Just say what you need to say.”

“Look, I already called your sister. I shouldn’t have let it slip about Isabel today. I’m so sorry. Now your ex is going to get suspicious,” Sanford said.

Teresa cursed Sanford in her head, ‘Can you just shut up already?’

Sanford kept rambling, “I really didn’t want to hurt you, or the kid—”

“That’s enough,” Teresa cut him off and lowered her voice. “Jonathan is right here.”

Sanford went silent.

Teresa said, “It’s all a misunderstanding. Isabel isn’t my daughter at all. I’ll send you the address—come over now. That’s it.” She hung up.

Jonathan’s face was unreadable. “Sending him the address? Why not just go straight to the hospital? I want to see this so-called daughter of mine and do a DNA test with her.”

Teresa ignored him and quickly texted Jennifer, filling her in on what was happening.

Jennifer headed to Rosary Estates and picked up Isabel, then drove her to the café near the hospital. Sanford followed shortly after.

Teresa explained, “Isabel’s not my daughter—she’s my mom’s child.”

Sanford scoffed, “Your mom’s kid? Come on, how old is your mom? No way she could still have a baby.”

“Plenty of celebrities have kids in their fifties. If my mom wanted to, why couldn’t she?” Teresa shot back.

Sanford still didn’t believe it. He turned to Jennifer and asked, “Is that true?”

Jennifer hummed in response, her eyes carrying a hint of disappointment.

Sanford licked his lips, stubborn. “No way. I even did a DNA test.”

Jonathan finally spoke up. “Where’s the DNA test report? Mind if I take a look?”

Sanford didn’t have it on him.

Teresa said, “There’s a DNA testing center right next door. Let’s just do another test.”

Sanford and Jonathan both agreed, and they handed over samples for testing.

Sanford then called the friend who’d helped with the last DNA test. The friend said, “Didn’t you just ask me to check if they were related and send you the result? They are related.”

Sanford’s heart dropped, and he realized he’d messed up. Still not willing to give up, he asked Isabel, “Is Teresa your mom or your sister?”

Isabel was startled and burst into tears.

Sanford fell silent—he didn’t want to lose face, especially in front of Jonathan.

Still scared, Isabel looked at Jonathan through her tears and cried, “He’s so handsome. I want a hug from him.”

Jennifer quickly scooped Isabel up and said to Jonathan, “It’s just a misunderstanding. Since there’s nothing else, you—Teresa’s ex—should leave. The rest is our family’s business.”

Jonathan didn’t budge. “Teresa might be pregnant with my child. I’m taking her for a checkup.”

Jennifer shot Teresa a sharp look, as if asking, “Did you tell Jonathan? What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m not pregnant!” Teresa shouted at Jennifer irritably.

Jennifer took a moment to compose herself, then turned to Jonathan. “Why do you think Teresa might be pregnant with your child?”

Jonathan replied, “Last week in Strico, we—”

“I’m not pregnant,” Teresa cut him off.

Jonathan stopped and glanced at Teresa, who looked stubborn as ever.

Jennifer pretty much got the picture. She let out a sharp laugh and turned to Jonathan. “I know Teresa. She’d never get pregnant with you. If you’re worried, I’ll do a checkup myself and send you the results.”

Jonathan went silent.

Jennifer gave a slight smile. “I’m a gynecologist. If Teresa is pregnant, I’ll tell you right away and make sure you take responsibility. After all, it’s a life we’re talking about.”

She added, “And now that I’m Donald’s fiancée, that basically makes you my half-cousin. We’re all family here.”

Jonathan, out of respect for Donald, didn’t say another word. He turned and walked away.

Once Jonathan left, Jennifer’s expression turned serious as she looked at Teresa. But she addressed Sanford first. “You really let me down. You promised to keep the child a secret. Now, you broke my trust.”

“Jennifer, I know I was too impulsive. I misunderstood—I thought he was just some jerk who abandoned his wife and kid. I was so angry. I did it to protect Teresa,” Sanford said. Honestly, seeing Jonathan up close reminded him of his own childhood without a father, and his mother’s pain. He just couldn’t hold back from confronting Jonathan, almost hoping to see Jonathan get upset, as if that would make him feel better.

After a while, Sanford snapped back to reality. “Anyway, it really was my fault this time. It won’t happen again.”

Jennifer sighed. “You should go. I want to talk to Teresa alone.”