Chapter 696

Teresa fell silent. She thought, “So his first choice is for us to remarry, and the second is to go to court and fight for Mike’s custody. Is that all he’s offering?”

Early in the morning, Teresa’s eyes were bloodshot, and Jonathan’s were equally crimson, both exhausted.

“We…” Teresa said at last, her voice tired and subdued, worn down by the drawn-out standoff.

Jonathan arched an eyebrow and asked, “We what?”

“We can co-parent Mike. Taking this to court is a lose-lose situation. Seeing us fight over him would only hurt him. It’s the last thing he needs.”

She pleaded, “For Mike’s sake, can’t we just meet halfway?”

Jonathan fell silent, his fists clenched tightly.

“I’m taking Mike with me for the next few days. I’ll bring him back next week,” he stated firmly.

The door slammed shut behind him. This time, he left without so much as a backward glance.

Once again, Teresa was left alone in the room. She slumped onto the bed, utterly defeated.

Bending down, her hands trembling, she picked up the two shattered pieces of the bracelet from the floor.

Jonathan had once told her that the bracelet was glass-grade jadeite with excellent clarity, and that the variety was rare.

Jonathan had insisted she try it on, saying it might be a little loose but would look beautiful on her wrist.

Teresa had refused flatly, pushing it back toward him without hesitation.

But Jonathan had only smiled and insisted she have it.

Teresa snapped back to reality.

She stared at the shattered bracelet in her hand, now nothing more than a worthless piece of trash. And yet, something in her still refused to let it go.

Teresa thought, “I don’t blame anyone. If Jonathan needed to hate me to feel better, so be it. At least he’ll find some relief. Maybe then my heart won’t hurt so much.”

Teresa’s phone suddenly buzzed. She frowned and picked it up.

In the hospital, Jennifer opened her eyes to sterile white walls and the sharp scent of disinfectant.

“You’re awake,” the nurse said as she entered, checking the EKG monitor. “You were in a car accident. Two kind passersby brought you in. Since your phone isn’t here, you’ll need to contact your family yourself.”

Jennifer looked dazed.

The nurse said with a sigh, “What I mean is, you were brought in just in time. Physically, you’re fine and can be discharged today. But the baby can’t be saved. You’re still young. You can try again in the future.”

For the first time, a wave of emotion flickered in Jennifer’s eyes. Her hand moved to her stomach, where she felt a hollow emptiness, as if something had been carved out of her.

“My baby is gone?” Jennifer choked out, her voice trembling.

“Yes, you miscarried before you arrived. But you’re still young. Have your partner come pick you up when you’re ready,” the nurse added.

With that, the nurse hurried off to attend to her other duties.

Jennifer felt cold all over. Every detail from before the accident replayed vividly in her mind. She could feel the blood draining from her body.

Her baby was gone. She had lost her child. Now she had nothing left, absolutely nothing.

Donald would leave her, too. Everyone around her would eventually walk away.

Heart-wrenching agony swept over Jennifer once more. She sobbed until her chest ached.

She had lost her baby, and soon she would lose her love and her marriage. She had already lost so many important people. Now, sitting here in this hospital room, she felt utterly alone.

Time slipped by unnoticed. Hearing footsteps, Jennifer slowly looked up.

Teresa took in the sight of Jennifer, who was tear-streaked, exhausted, and completely falling apart.

It was the first time Teresa had ever seen Jennifer break down like this.

Seeing Teresa, Jennifer hurriedly wiped her tears. “What are you doing here?” Jennifer asked.

Teresa said, “The traffic police called me about my car’s accident, so I found out you crashed. I called 911 and only then learned you had been in the hospital for a whole day.”

Teresa had thought Jennifer had gone to find Donald and gone home with him.

Teresa never expected to find her like this.

Jennifer forced a bitter smile and said, “My baby is gone. It’s gone.”

Teresa pressed, “Where’s the driver who hit you? The police said only my car was wrecked at the scene. What happened to the other car?”

Jennifer shook her head weakly and continued, “I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter now. Even without the accident, I couldn’t keep the baby. The doctor said the heartbeat was irregular and the miscarriage risk was high.”

Teresa fell silent for a few seconds. Then she asked, “But didn’t you always say you couldn’t keep the baby? So why are you so devastated now?”

Jennifer sniffled and said, “You can go. I’m fine now. I just need some time alone.”

“Should I tell Donald?” Teresa asked.

“Don’t tell him,” Jennifer cut in gently.

Jennifer’s sudden, anxious reaction caught Teresa off guard.

Teresa had expected Jennifer to use this as a chance to play the victim and seek sympathy from Donald, but instead, she refused.

“I don’t want Donald to see me like this,” Jennifer said quietly. “I’ll tell him about the baby myself. You don’t need to get involved.”

Teresa nodded. Since Jennifer had decided to tell Donald herself, she wouldn’t interfere. Teresa was never the domineering or meddlesome type.

“I’ve arranged a caretaker for you. Just rest another day before you leave. I’ve already paid your hospital bills,” Teresa added.

“Thank you. I’ll pay you back after I’m discharged.”

“Suit yourself,” Teresa replied and turned to leave.

“Wait,” Jennifer called out to Teresa again.

“Weren’t you planning to take Mike abroad? Why aren’t you leaving now?”

“Jonathan knows about Mike. I can’t leave anymore.”

Jennifer froze as a sudden realization hit her. “Did Donald tell him?” she asked.

“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. He knows now,” Teresa answered calmly.

Still, Jennifer noticed how pale and haggard Teresa looked, her face utterly frail.

“Why do you look so awful?”

“I’m just tired. I’m fine,” Teresa replied calmly, her tone steady throughout.

“Take care of yourself. I’m barely holding myself together right now. We…” Jennifer began, then stopped, choking back the words. “We sisters,” she had almost said.

Somehow, she just couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Let’s both take care of ourselves. You too. Take care,” Teresa said quietly, then turned and walked away without another word.

Jennifer sat at the edge of the bed, silent tears streaming down her face once more, but she wasn’t the only one whose tears fell that night.

Inside the villa, by the time Michael returned from the hospital, Jonathan had already prepared his room. It was much larger than his old one, and he had even hired two top nannies to care for Michael when he was away.

“Mike, dinner’s ready,” Jonathan called gently.

Seeing Mike put down his fork, Jonathan asked, “What’s wrong? Is the food not to your taste?”

He had personally cooked today, making eight full dishes. When alone, he never cooked, but knowing how much Mike loved his food, he spent three hours in the kitchen perfecting the meal.

Michael shook his head, rubbing his eyes with his small hands, and said, “Mr. Lime, where’s Mommy? I miss her.”