Teresa was momentarily at a loss for words. โSo, what brings you all the way from Shaville to Nareigh?โ
Sanford finally said, โHonestly, I might not have much time left, and the last thing I want is for Mike to end up like me.
โWhen Jennifer visited me in the detention house, she confessed that she had tampered with the DNA test result multiple times. For a doctor to do that shows a complete lack of medical ethics. I know that.
โI donโt want to see her lose everything, and I donโt want an innocent kid growing up not knowing who his real father is, just like I did.
โI told Jennifer I could take the fall for her. She could say I was the one who ordered her to falsify the DNA test result. But she refused. She said she didnโt want it to jeopardize her promotion to department head right now.โ
With that, Sanford pinched the bridge of his nose and continued, โHonestly, I canโt figure out what Jennifer is thinking. But I want to know whatโs on your mind. After all, youโre Mikeโs mother. If you want to come clean, I can help you.โ
Teresa countered Sanford, โHow exactly can you help me? I donโt even know if Jonathan would believe me if I confessed. More importantly, Irene might never accept Mike.โ
Sanford raised an eyebrow. โWhy wouldnโt Irene accept Mike?โ
Teresa said, โIrene has never accepted me, not ever. Mike was born after my divorce, so he is considered an illegitimate child. Youโre living proof of that. The only solution is for me to remarry Jonathan.โ
Sanford finally got it. He said, โYouโre right.โ
โBut,โ he changed his tone and said, โI think when Mike grows up, he would rather bear the label of an illegitimate child than go through life never knowing who his father is.โ
Teresa fell silent. Her mind was in complete turmoil. She didnโt even know what the right choice was anymore. Every option came with its consequences.
Sanford said, โMike is still young, so honestly, itโs not too late to come clean. I think Jonathan would let you and Jennifer off the hook, considering youโre the mother of his child. As for Irene, I guess sheโll still dote on her grandson.โ
Teresaโs eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she gripped the cup so tightly. She said, โIrene will take Mike from me. She will.โ
โWhy?โ asked Sanford.
Teresa said, โCall it intuition. Irene would absolutely do that.โ
Sanford sighed. Seeing Teresaโs beautiful face streaked with tears and her stubborn eyes rimmed red, he kindly offered her a handkerchief, but she refused and merely wiped the tears away with a quick, indifferent brush of her hand.
Sanford stood up, walked over to Teresaโs side, and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.
He said, โIโm really done with women of the Johnston family. You and Jennifer are so full of worries. Thatโs unnecessary. You just love to overthink everything. You can blurt things out and only worry about the consequences when they come.โ
He added, โDonโt you think so? I just feel terrible for Mike, or why would I have even bothered making this trip?โ
Before Teresa could say a word, a deep, commanding voice suddenly barked from the doorway. โSanford.โ
Jonathan strode over, yanked Teresa up from her seat, and clamped his hand on her shoulder. He had seen everything through the glass window just now.
Sanford said, โMr. Lynn, you must have a lot of free time if youโre even stalking me.โ
Jonathan sneered and replied, โYouโre the one crying foul first. Didnโt you learn your lesson last time? Those blows low on you, since youโve come all this way just to harass my woman again.โ
โYour woman?โ Sanford shot back, โShe is your ex-wife, not your woman anymore. She was upset, and I was just...โ