Chapter 673

Jennifer knew that there was no going back to how things used to be between Teresa and her.

It was a rare, fleeting moment of calm, as Jennifer refrained from scolding or mocking Teresa.

Teresa quietly sorted through her things in the living room, while Jennifer silently cooked pasta in the kitchen–both lost in their own thoughts, eyes stinging with unshed tears.

They knew each of them had their own path and destination.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, shattering the fragile peace.

Teresa thought, ‘Who could that be at a time like this?’ Then she went to open the door.

Cheryl showed up at the door, carrying Serena in her arms. She said, “Teresa, sorry for barging in again.”

Teresa was confused.

Cheryl barged right in and said, “Grandpa’s sick. I finally got some free time today, so I gotta rush home to check on him. Otherwise, everyone back home will blame me.”

The next second, she heard sounds coming from the kitchen. She exclaimed, “Teresa, that smells amazing. What are you cooking? Serena and I haven’t had dinner yet.”

Cheryl’s face stiffened the moment she saw Jennifer in the kitchen. Jennifer, for her part, didn’t bother to hide her annoyance.

Cheryl demanded, “What the hell are you doing at Teresa’s place?”

Jennifer thought, ‘Cheryl’s words always prove how childish she is. Doesn’t she know about my relationship with Teresa? How dare she ask such a question?’

She snapped, “Teresa is my sister–what’s stopping me from coming over? But you, have you no shame? Dragging that bastard kid to Teresa’s place day after day. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Enraged by the remark, Cheryl lunged at Jennifer and yanked her hair wildly. She roared, “Bastard? Say that again. I haven’t provoked you or said a single word about you. How dare you call my daughter a bastard?”

Cheryl hadn’t considered Jennifer family for ages, and honestly, she’d never been able to stand Jennifer. She was no pushover. If anyone insulted her, she’d hit back hard, consequences be damned. She didn’t care who it was, even Jennifer.

Cheryl had always swallowed it when Jennifer called her too naive to get married or mocked her for being gullible. Now that Serena was being insulted, Cheryl couldn’t take it anymore–this was her last straw.

Refusing to be outdone, Jennifer grabbed Cheryl’s hair right back with one hand and clamped her other hand around Cheryl’s slender wrist.

“Let go of me,” Jennifer snapped.

“You first,” Cheryl shot back.

Jennifer retorted, “Why should I let go if you won’t?”

Their pushing and shoving knocked over pots and pans, sending dishes and utensils clattering to the floor.

A ceramic bowl shattered with a loud crash, jolting Michael from his drowsy state. He came over to see what was going on.

Seeing the chaos, Teresa was utterly exasperated. Without another word, she grabbed Jennifer and Cheryl–one in each hand–and yanked them apart.

She snapped, “Are you two grown adults seriously fighting like kids? You’re scaring the children.”

Cheryl and Jennifer turned around and saw Michael crouched fearfully in the doorway. Only then did they release their grip on each other.

Serena’s cries suddenly filled the living room.

Cheryl rubbed her sore arm, shot Jennifer a furious glare, and then rushed out to tend to the wailing Serena.

Cheryl sat on the sofa, cradling and soothing Serena in her arms. Her hands trembled with rage, and her eyes were red-rimmed with unshed tears.

Teresa crouched down, picking up the shattered pieces of the bowl from the floor.

Michael ran over and said, “Mommy, let me he–”

Teresa quickly stopped him. She said, “No, sweetie, stay back. I don’t want you to cut yourself.”

Jennifer took a deep breath and shot Cheryl a look of disgust. She said, “She started it.”

Cheryl’s ears were sharp even as she nursed Serena, never missing a chance to confront Jennifer. She retorted, “The guilty party files the first complaint. Who was the one insulting me first? That’s rich. I’ve had enough of you. I’m telling Donald about this right now.”