Chapter 420

“Alright, I’ll reach out to Teresa once the DNA test results for Isabel and Teresa are in,” Sanford said, then left.

Teresa turned to Jennifer. “See? Good thing I never let him meet Michael. Do you think he could keep something like that under wraps?”

Jennifer frowned. “Sanford really let me down. He never used to be like this. I don’t know what’s gotten into him this time.”

“And you,” she turned her frustration on Teresa, “what’s your deal? You’ve let me down, too.”

Teresa fell silent.

“You slept with Jonathan again when you went on that business trip?”

“What’s it to you?”

“How is it not my business?” Jennifer grabbed Teresa’s wrist. “I’m your big sister. It’s my job to teach you about morals and decency.”

Hearing Jennifer talk about “morals and decency,” Teresa found it laughable. “Your job transfer and promotion were all thanks to Jonathan’s connections. You promised me you’d leave Nareigh for Shaville, but you broke your word. And you’re perfectly fine spending the money Donald’s parents gave him, letting him buy you a house. So tell me, how do you have the nerve to lecture me about morals and decency?”

Jennifer snapped, “Why are you dragging me into this? I just don’t want you to get mixed up with Jonathan again. I’m doing this for your own good—I don’t want you to make the same mistakes. He’d already left Nareigh. But now, thanks to you running off on that business trip and getting tangled up with him again, he’s back. And now he even thinks you’re pregnant.”

Teresa shot back, “Isn’t that what you’re here for? The all-powerful Dr. Nelson who can ‘fix’ any DNA test. With you around, what do I have to worry about? Go ahead and keep climbing that career ladder. I’m sure your precious nephew will help you become director.”

“You!” Jennifer was so mad at Teresa’s sharp tongue that she could barely speak. She tried to calm herself down. Right now, she cared more about the fate of the child in her womb. “When are you coming with me for the abortion? I can’t go alone, Teresa. I need you there.”

“I’m not going with you. It’s your baby—whether you keep it or not, that’s your call.” Teresa turned to leave, her tone cold and final.

Jennifer froze for a second before blocking her path. “I care so much about your feelings. But why can’t you ever see things from my side? Do you really think I’m that heartless? If I have this baby, I’ll lose everything. I’ll fall behind, all my years of hard work wasted. My classmates and junior colleagues will laugh at me for giving up my career to be a stay-at-home mom, turning into a housewife. My whole life plan will be ruined. I don’t want to be cruel to the baby, but I can’t stand the thought of anyone looking down on me. I’m so torn up.”

Teresa yanked her hand free. “First of all, no one ever told you to give up your career. You can have both—career and family. You’re the one overthinking it. You’re not even thirty and already an associate professor. Jennifer, you’re already amazing, and your classmates envy your life. Who would look down on you?”

“You’re the first to look down on me,” Jennifer said with a bitter smile. “Without Jonathan pulling strings, Donald, you, and I would all be better. It’s all because he helped. Otherwise, I’d be in Shaville by now, and everything would be—”

“Enough.” Teresa couldn’t understand Jennifer’s logic. Jonathan helped her, and not only was she ungrateful, but she even blamed him for messing up her plans. After a pause, Teresa continued, “Why don’t you blame Donald for the car accident that ruined your plans? Why is it Jonathan’s fault?”

Jennifer took a deep breath. “We’re sisters. Now you’re taking Jonathan’s side and blaming me?”

“You’re the problem here. You always blame everyone else. You’re so self-righteous. Seriously, you need therapy.” With that, Teresa walked away for good.

Jennifer’s eyes flushed red, and she clenched her fingers so tightly that her fingertips started to ache.

After a while, Jennifer thought it over and texted Teresa: [Teresa, I’m just really stressed out. I was a bit on edge earlier and said some things I shouldn’t have. I hope you can understand.]

Teresa didn’t respond.

Sanford had already gotten the DNA test report for Isabel and Teresa. The last page said the results supported that they were related, but there wasn’t enough evidence to prove they were actually mother and daughter. Sanford got the two copies of the report and called Teresa. “The results are out—Isabel really is your sister. Alright, I was wrong. You guys didn’t even tell me her last name is Davis.”

“She used to have her dad’s last name, Wilson. After my mom divorced her second husband, she changed it to her own. You took your mom’s last name, too, so what’s so strange about it?” Teresa replied.

Sanford paused, then said with a loaded tone, “Don’t you want to know my dad’s last name?”

“I don’t care about your personal life. Now that everything’s out in the open, just don’t bother me again, alright? I’ll pay you back within a month,” Teresa said and hung up.

Sanford sent her a copy of the report. Teresa immediately forwarded it to Jonathan, figuring he wouldn’t keep digging into the kid anymore.

After finally wrapping everything up, Teresa headed home, with Isabel tagging along. Isabel insisted she wanted Evelyn, and Teresa felt a massive headache coming on. After a long struggle, she finally managed to coax Isabel to sleep.

Michael woke up. “Mom, did you get in touch with Dad yet? My birthday’s coming up—will he come see me?” he asked.

Teresa’s long lashes fluttered. “I’m still trying to reach him.”

Michael let out a little huff and stared up at her. “Mom, look me in the eyes and tell me—did Dad really leave us?”

“Of course not,” Teresa said, meeting his gaze. “It’s just that your dad and I haven’t talked in a long time.”

Michael thought for a second and said, “Mom, if you can’t find my dad, I won’t make things hard for you. Just call Mr. Lime instead, okay? I haven’t seen him in forever.”

Just then, Evelyn called—Teresa had actually been about to call her. “Hello, Ms. Davis? You need to come back and pick up Isabel. I can’t take care of her anymore. I’ve got so much going on every day, and I just don’t have the money, time, or energy to look after your daughter.”

Evelyn sighed, her voice low, “I’ll be back tomorrow, and I have something important I need to talk to you about.”