Chapter 634

“What exactly do you want from me?” Teresa shot back at Jennifer. Jennifer always claimed that Teresa didn’t care about her feelings, but if Teresa really didn’t give a damn about her feelings, Teresa could’ve just come clean days ago.

But when Teresa came to after her bout of acute gastroenteritis, the first person she saw was Jennifer. A thought flashed through her mind: they were family, and they should want the best for each other.

Jennifer let out a long sigh. “I’d made up my mind to wash my hands of you. If you’re set on telling, I can’t stop you. But things are different. Jonathan is Donald’s confidant. If we come clean now, I’m as good as dead.”

“That wouldn’t be happening. Just try to lighten up. When the time comes, I’ll give you 30% of Teresouth Group’s dividends. We’re sisters, and that’s all I can do for you.” With that, Teresa grabbed her car keys and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Jennifer demanded.

“I’m going to pick up Michael,” Teresa shot back. “Do you really think I’d just abandon my son?”

Jennifer clamped down fiercely on Teresa’s wrist, her grip almost painful. “Are you going to use this chance to confess everything to Jonathan? Are you really just going to abandon me?”

Teresa yanked her hand free. “Whether I confess or not is my call. Back off.”

Jennifer choked out, “I’ve told you everything. I’m literally begging you. Why do you still not care how I feel?”

Teresa glared at Jennifer. “How much longer am I supposed to cater to your feelings? So your feelings matter, but mine and Michael’s don’t? Why can’t you put yourself in our shoes for once? I can’t hide it much longer.”

Teresa was determined to keep both Michael and the baby in her womb. Without waiting for Jennifer to respond, she turned on her heel and strode away.

Then, Jennifer clutched Teresa’s hand tightly again before collapsing weakly to the ground.

Teresa froze, her body stiffening. She turned around and saw Jennifer–who was always so proud–now slumped on the floor, her legs giving way beneath her.

Jennifer’s hair hung loose, covering her face, her lips deathly pale.

“Please, I’m begging you. Don’t tell anyone now. I really can’t afford to lose Donald. More than anything, I just want a chance to prove myself. I can make it to department head on my own."

“I’m not some incompetent nobody. I don’t want people calling me useless. Just give me a few more months. I’ll find you a place to stay, and after you give birth and are ready to come back, I’ll hire you a postpartum caregiver.”

“Enough!” Teresa clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. “Get up,” Teresa snapped. “This display of yours disgusts me.”

“What?” Jennifer arched an eyebrow in bewilderment.

Teresa glared down at Jennifer. “Now you’re playing the victim and making me out to be the villain. Don’t you realize how revolting this is?”

Jennifer clenched her jaw, saying nothing.

Teresa averted her gaze, her eyes bloodshot. “Get up now. If you miscarry, that’s on you, not me.”

Jennifer was still on the floor, slumped weakly, her body showing no sign of reaction.

Teresa shot her a cold look. “Fine. If you won’t get up, then stay there. I’m out of here.” With a loud slam, Teresa left, and scalding tears welled up in Jennifer’s eyes.

Teresa went to Miriam’s place to pick up Michael.

“Mommy, your eyes are all red!” Michael looked up, his big eyes full of concern as he gazed into Teresa’s.

Teresa gently stroked Michael’s hair, saying nothing.

After getting in the car, Michael kept asking Teresa, “Mommy, were you crying?” His big eyes were fixed intently on her.

“Buckle up, sweetie,” Teresa said, glancing at the rearview mirror while quickly wiping away a tear. “I missed you so much that I started crying on the way here.”

Michael tilted his little head. “But it’s only been two days since we last saw each other.”

Teresa smiled as she stopped at the red light, then added softly, “You know, even a day without you feels like an eternity. By the way, do you remember the promise I made you?”

“You mean that thing about Mr. Lime being my daddy?”

“Mhm, that’s right,” Teresa said softly.

“Yay!” Michael excitedly raised his hand. “Mommy, you really meant it? Mr. Lime can be my daddy?”

“I’ll talk to him about it in the next day or two, okay?”

Michael fretted, “But Mommy, what if Mr. Lime says no? Wouldn’t that be super embarrassing for us?”

Teresa said, “He wouldn’t say no, sweetie.”

Before they knew it, their conversation had carried them all the way to Rosary Estates. Gary was waiting outside her apartment door.

“Mommy, it’s that weird man who pulled my hair!” Michael instantly went on high alert when he spotted Gary, but still positioned himself protectively in front of Teresa.

Teresa gently stroked his head and said, “Sweetie. He’s Uncle Gary.”

“Huh? Mommy, you know him?” Michael asked with a playful grin.

Before Teresa could respond, Gary stood up with a chuckle. He was delighted to meet Michael. He crouched down to Michael’s eye level and said gently, “Mike, I’m sorry for pulling your hair. Can you forgive me?”

Michael crossed his little arms and huffed, “Hmph. I won’t forgive you until I forget what you did.”

Gary smiled, grabbed a bag of treats by his feet, and said to Michael, “How about I make it up to you with these goodies, huh?”

“Humph…” Michael turned his face away with a huff, acting all proud. He wasn’t the kind of kid you could bribe that easily.

Teresa gently ruffled Michael’s hair and coaxed him to forgive Gary.

Michael, still clinging to Teresa’s leg, finally gave a reluctant nod.

Gary gazed at Michael’s carefree little face.

Once inside, with Michael fast asleep, Gary turned to Teresa and asked, “So, what did Jennifer say?”

Teresa’s face hardened. “Go ask her yourself,” she said flatly. “There’s no reasoning with her.”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Gary asked, concern evident in his voice.

Teresa explained, “Donald was short on cash, and Jonathan came to his rescue. Now, Donald follows Jonathan’s lead in everything. What’s more, after Werner framed Jonathan’s father, Donald feels even more indebted to him. Jennifer’s terrified the…”

Gary said, “Jennifer must really love Donald, right? That’s why she’s so terrified.”

“Honestly, I think what she’s really afraid of is losing her job.”

Gary shook his head, pondering for a moment. “I think her fear of losing Donald is even greater. She’s always been love starved. That’s why she’s so on edge now. She’s terrified of losing the one person who truly brought her comfort.”

Teresa fell silent.

Gary gave Teresa’s shoulder a reassuring pat. “Anyway, just go ahead and tell Jonathan. I’ll shoulder the burden for you and take on Jennifer’s share of the consequences.”

Teresa fell into a long silence. “Tomorrow, I’ll come clean with Jonathan.”