Chapter 441

Cheryl grabbed Benny’s arm. “Why do you have to see Teresa? Aren’t you Jonathan’s friend? Are you trying to steal his girl?”

“If you think so. Whatever,” Benny said, not bothering to explain. He still wanted to check out Teresa’s place.

Right then, Cheryl wrapped her arms around Benny’s neck and started to whine, “You can’t go. I can’t let you mess up Jonathan and Teresa’s relationship. You can’t go after your friend’s woman!”

Benny sucked in a breath and turned to look at Cheryl, who was clinging to him. “Then tell me, is there a baby at Teresa’s place? I heard a baby crying just now.”

“Huh?” Cheryl blinked. “Oh, you mean the crying? That’s just this.” She pressed the cactus toy again, and it let out another wailing sound.

“You really think I’m that easy to fool? Fine, it’s the toy’s sound. But why were you at Teresa’s place so early? And why did she send you down to meet me? You two are definitely up to something.”

“Benny, you’re overthinking it. I borrowed some money from Teresa before, and I just came to pay her back. Oh, I need to go home, but I can’t drive. Can you give me a ride?”

Benny still looked suspicious.

Cheryl bit her lip. “You seriously think Teresa had a baby? That’s ridiculous. Women are pregnant for ten months—did you ever see Teresa with a big belly?”

That made Benny frown. If Teresa really had a kid, by the timeline, she would have given birth when she was with Nareigh. But that seemed impossible.

Seeing Benny start to waver, Cheryl quickly added, “I swear, you’re totally wrong about this.”

Benny didn’t move and just glanced up at Teresa’s room.

Suddenly, Benny felt his cheek heat up. He froze and then turned to see Cheryl, face bright red, giving him a quick kiss.

She said, “Come on, just drive me home, okay? Stop trying to hit on Teresa. There are plenty of good women out there—don’t go after your friend’s woman.”

Benny didn’t say a word. The next second, he suddenly leaned over, lowered Cheryl’s seat, and pinned her underneath him.

With his face so close, Cheryl’s heart started pounding. “W-what are you doing?”

With a click, Benny buckled her seatbelt and stared at her. “Men in their thirties are dangerous, you know. Don’t pull this again, or next time I won’t go easy just because of Jonathan.”

Cheryl was startled and nodded blankly.

Only then did Benny sit up straight, start the car, and make a U-turn. “Hey, why do you smell like milk?”

“I—” Cheryl clutched at her shirt. “I just really like drinking milk, okay?”

Benny shot her a look and thought, ‘She really can’t handle a little flirting.’

He joked, “I have a cousin who’s into girls like you. Want me to set you up?”

Cheryl shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m just not feeling guys right now.”

Benny grinned. “So, there’s already someone, huh?”

Cheryl’s mind was full of Nareigh. She nodded quickly. “Something like that.”

Benny didn’t press further.

When they got to the Lynn residence, Cheryl said goodbye and invited Benny in, but he declined.

Cheryl came home, ready to face the music. Cathy looked at her, clearly exasperated. “Donald got engaged, and you didn’t even bother to come back. You missed so many family dinners. Are you just never coming home again?”

“Sorry, Mom, Dad,” Cheryl said softly, her gaze dropping to the floor as she fidgeted with her fingers. “I know I messed up. But I’m here now.”

Werner sighed and stepped in, “Come on, let’s not be too hard on her. Look at her—she looks like she’s been through a lot.”

Cathy snorted. “Through a lot? She looks like she’s put on a few pounds.”

Cheryl quickly changed the subject, hoping to deflect any further scrutiny. “Hey, where’s Donald? I haven’t seen him in ages.”

“He and Jennifer went to get their marriage certificate,” Cathy replied.

“Wait, what?”

While her family was distracted, Cheryl slipped away to the corner and pulled out her phone. She quickly texted Teresa, letting her know that the Benny situation was sorted out and that Donald and Jennifer had just gone to get married. She added: [Mom said they were supposed to get their certificate on July 7th, but Jennifer wanted to do it earlier. Today’s the 26th, a Friday—if they didn’t do it today, they’d have to wait until next Monday.]

Teresa didn’t respond but thought, ‘Michael has just had his birthday yesterday, and now Jennifer’s getting married? Did she really go through with it? Well, whatever. I don’t even feel like asking.’

An hour after Cheryl finished talking, Teresa scrolled through her Facebook feed and saw Donald’s post: [Let’s make this official]. The post showed their marriage certificates and a photo of Donald and Jennifer holding hands, with the location tagged as Nareigh’s city hall. Teresa had been there twice before—she knew it well. She just hadn’t expected Donald and Jennifer to show up there so suddenly.

Teresa opened the window. The sky outside was a bit gray, but there was no thunder or rain. She closed the window again.

After Donald announced their marriage on Facebook, Cathy, Evelyn, and some colleagues from the company all liked it. Jennifer could also see these names.

Donald handed his phone to Jennifer and said, “Teresa hasn’t liked it.”

Jennifer replied, “Maybe she just hasn’t seen it yet.”

Donald nodded. “I didn’t set any privacy groups—it’s public. Teresa hasn’t blocked me, so she can definitely see it. Don’t worry.”

As he spoke, he squeezed Jennifer’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Jennifer, you’re finally my wife. No one can ever come between us again. I’m just so happy today.”

Jennifer let Donald hold her hand. She lowered her head and glanced at her belly, where their baby was just starting to grow. “Donald, I…”

“What is it? Go ahead,” he prompted.

Just then, his phone rang. Donald gestured for Jennifer to wait a moment—it was Cathy calling to ask if they’d gotten their marriage certificate and when they were coming home for dinner.

“Mom, Jennifer and I are already on our way back,” he replied.

“Your sister and grandpa are back too. We’re all having dinner together tonight to celebrate,” Cathy said.

“Sounds great,” Donald said, hanging up.

He turned to Jennifer, puzzled. “What were you about to tell me just now?”

Jennifer had overheard the conversation. She shook her head and quickly asked, “Cheryl’s back? Did she bring someone home?”

Donald chuckled, “Who else would she come home with? If she ever started dating, she’d be the first to tell me.”