Chapter 654

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she sat on the balcony, trying to compose herself. Watching the sun go down, she knew she’d already missed the best chance to make everything clear.

She thought, ‘It was all my fault. I have to bear the consequences.”

She didn’t want to distract Jonathan while his grandfather was sick, so she remained silent.

Teresa thought bitterly, “Who am I to cry? I could have imagined how nonchalant he would be.”

“He didn’t want me to stay, so he didn’t even want to talk to me.”

“When he wanted me to stay, he always brushed aside whatever I said. But this time, he walked away without a backward glance, so he would never ask me to stay."

‘Fine. I’ll accept whatever comes my way. It doesn’t matter anymore!’

Teresa pulled herself together and went to the kitchen to cook. She thought she’d hidden all traces of tears, but Michael still spotted her red eyes.

Michael asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong? You’ve been crying a lot lately.”

Teresa thought to herself, ‘It’s true. I’ve been crying a lot privately. I don’t know if I’m worn out because I’m pregnant, or because there was so much happening.’

Teresa wiped away her tears and teased, “Son, you wanna go away with me?”

Michael tilted his head in confusion as he munched on the potato Teresa cooked. “Mommy, what do you mean? Are we going on a trip?”

Teresa pinched Michael’s cheek and said gently, “You could see it that way. Do you want to go with me?”

Michael nodded and said, “Wherever you go, I’m going too. I won’t leave you.”

“Fine, sweetheart. I won’t leave you either,” Teresa said softly.

After Michael fell asleep, Teresa folded his clothes and placed the outfit Michael would be wearing tomorrow on the bedside table.

Watching Michael’s sleeping face, Teresa gently stroked his cheek. She was determined to tell no one about her departure this time.

Teresa thought, ‘Every time I ran away before, it was never my choice.

The first time, I left because Jennifer forced me to go with her. In the end, Jennifer decided to stay.

‘The second time, Michael clashed with Isabel, and Evelyn completely disregarded his feelings. Furious, I took him and left Fernlandia for Everport.’

“Everything in the past was still so vivid to me.

“Every time I left, it was because of my family, never because of Jonathan.

‘It had been several months since I returned to Nareigh.

“I thought I was born in Nareigh. Once I came back, I’d never leave again.

‘This time, I don’t walk out because of anyone else. I leave because of Jonathan.’

Chapter 654

Meanwhile, Donald drove Jennifer back in silence.

Jennifer was tired of his silent treatment. The moment they arrived home, Jennifer ripped off her coat and said loudly, “I swear, I have nothing to do with Gary.

Ever since I found out he’s your dad’s son, I’ve cut him off. He’s just a bastard.”

Donald stood facing away from Jennifer. He took a sip of his water and said coldly, “You said you cut him off, yet you saw him more than once, didn’t you?”

“What the hell are you saying?” Jennifer said sharply.

Jennifer couldn’t stand being smeared like this.

Jennifer snapped, “Donald, make it clear. Why did you have to say that?”

Donald finally turned to face Jennifer.

“Just a few days ago, he came looking for you in your office, didn’t he? You even ran out after him.

"He grabbed you. You two made a scene right there in the doorway."

“You think I don’t know that? Have you ever thought about me?” said Donald.

“He came at me. I was furious, so –“ Jennifer couldn’t find the right words to say. Utterly frustrated, she thought, “I have no choice but to swallow the bitterness in silence.”

“You two had no grudges. What did he come at you for?" Donald said aggressively.

Jennifer said sharply, “This is my private business. You have no right to ask."

Donald demanded angrily, “I have no right to ask?”

Donald felt his heart broken.

“Jennifer, you’re my wife, and he’s my father’s illegitimate son. You made a scene with him in the hospital hallway, right in front of those gossiping [people]."

“Now instead of explaining yourself, you tell me not to ask? What the hell am I to you?” said Donald furiously.

He would have said it a long time ago, but he was giving her a chance to say it herself.

Donald thought, ‘We were married, yet there was always something you held back, something just out of reach, like a door you wouldn’t let me open.’

Jennifer remained silent.

Jennifer thought, ‘It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you. I just couldn’t say it.

“How could I tell you about Mike?

‘Was I supposed to admit what I have done? I faked the DNA test results and hid the truth about my nephew, and Gary came to me for it.

“I’m not stupid. I kept it a secret up to now, because I didn’t want you to get wind of it."

Donald waited and waited, but Jennifer still said nothing.

Donald thought, ‘All I want is an explanation. But you offer nothing but silence.’

Finally, Jennifer broke her silence.

Chapter 654

Jennifer lifted her chin with an air of superiority and said. “I told you, Gary and I were just friends. If you don't believe it..."

Donald stared intently at Jennifer. Suddenly, a bitter smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Donald couldn’t help but feel utterly pathetic for himself.

He thought. ‘You’re my wife, yet I never really knew what was going on inside you.

“You always kept your distance, never really letting me know what you were thinking."

“Jennifer, you know what? I’ve always admired how strong-willed and competitive you are, and I’ve respected whatever you do. So, do you think I am a pushover, someone you could easily take advantage of?"

“I’m your husband, but I’m feeling so pathetic. You know I can’t accept Gary as my brother. Why should it be him?” said Donald sharply.

“Donald, are you done yet?” Jennifer snapped. “You’re insulting me.

There was nothing between Gary and me. Nothing was going on in my life.

Without another word, Donald grabbed his jacket and car keys from the coffee table.

“I’ll stay in the hospital dorm for the next few days,” Donald said quietly. “In that way, I can look after Grandfather. Jonathan and my father are doing too much; I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Jennifer knew that was just his excuse to stay out all night.

As Donald was changing his shoes in the entryway, Jennifer was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. Unable to restrain herself, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist from behind.

“Donald, please, you have to believe me. You’re all I have now; I would never do anything to hurt you. I love you, and I’m terrified of losing you.

“Please, I’m begging you, don’t go. I don’t want to be alone at night,” said Jennifer sadly.

Yet Donald firmly removed her hands, one finger at a time.

“Donald,” exclaimed Jennifer desperately. But Donald walked out without looking back.