Chapter 672
A gentle drizzle began to fall outside.
Almost on impulse, Jonathan went downstairs with his car keys in hand, ready to drive over to Teresa’s place to stop her from leaving. But as soon as he realized what he was doing, he snapped back to reality.
He thought, ‘Salvage? What’s left to salvage? And with what could I possibly save this relationship?’
“Mr. Lynn, are you heading out?” the security guard at the entrance asked.
Jonathan was about to shake his head when his gaze suddenly snapped to something.
Outside the one-way floor-to-ceiling window, Teresa stood in the drizzle, wearing a loose plaid jacket and holding a white umbrella, her gaze fixed intently in his direction.
Jonathan stood momentarily dazed.
As several cars splashed by, spraying water, that familiar figure vanished without a trace.
Jonathan asked the security guard, “Did you see a woman standing outside just now?”
The security guard followed Jonathan’s gaze, and then he said, “I don’t think so, Mr. Lynn. I didn’t see a thing. Maybe you were just seeing things. Hey, Mr. Lynn, where are you going? Let me get you an umbrella.”
Jonathan stormed out of the company, only to find the main road outside completely deserted. For a moment, he wondered if seeing Teresa standing there had just been a trick of his imagination.
He checked his phone–no calls or messages from her. He thought, ‘Could I really just be imagining things? Would someone as heartless as her still be reluctant to let me go?’
Half an hour later, Teresa was already back home.
It was still raining when Teresa arrived at Horizonlead Group, but by the time she reached her apartment complex, the rain had stopped.
She left the white umbrella in the back of her car, its handle still beaded with a few lingering raindrops.
Teresa had just arrived home when Jennifer showed up right on her heels. The first thing Teresa noticed was Jennifer’s puffy, red-rimmed eyes–clear signs she’d been crying.
Jennifer didn’t want Teresa to see her vulnerability. She casually explained, “A mosquito bit me on my eyelid.”
Teresa let the flimsy excuse slide. She knew some things were simply better left unsaid between them.
Silence and restraint. This distance between them–more fitting for strangers–was exactly what suited Teresa and Jennifer’s relationship now.
“Are you all packed?” Jennifer asked.
Teresa replied, “Yeah.”
Jennifer said, “It’s five o’clock already. We should get to the airport early. Let’s take your car and head out soon.”
Teresa went into Michael’s room to wake the sleeping boy.
Michael was still cranky from sleep when Teresa coaxed, “Aren’t we going on a trip, sweetie? Time to get up now, or we’ll miss our flight. The plane won’t wait for us.”
Michael rubbed his sleepy eyes and mumbled, “Mommy, I’m hungry.”
Teresa said, “We still have some buns at home. Do you want me to get you some?”
Jennifer suddenly offered, “I’ll cook some pasta for Mike. He has a sensitive stomach, so homemade food would be better. Is there still pasta in the fridge? I’ll make them fresh. It’ll be quick.”
“No need,” Teresa said.
“Let’s just do this. A few more minutes won’t hurt,” Jennifer said firmly, already rolling up her sleeves and heading into the kitchen before Teresa could refuse.
She said, “Let me see if there’s any cabbage—I’ll just whip up a quick sauce.”
Silence fell between them again.
Teresa double-checked her ID, passport, and visa while the clattering sounds from the kitchen filled the quiet space. Her mind drifted back to the New Year.
Back when Jennifer was staying at Teresa’s place, she was always whipping up all kinds of delicious meals for Teresa and Michael. At that time, before their sisterhood was acknowledged, they both maintained a polite distance.
Jennifer was also reminiscing about all those little moments from her time living at Teresa’s place.
Ever since she started dating and then married Donald, she had hardly ever visited Rosary Estates. On the rare occasions she did, it was mostly to argue with Teresa, always ending in bitter words.