Chapter 726

Teresa said, her tone laced with frustration, “Suit yourself. If Jennifer weren’t her sister, she wouldn’t have wasted her breath trying to talk sense into her one last time. Anyone you keep with lies, you’ll lose in the end.” With that, she turned to leave.

“Wait,” Jennifer called out, her eyes fixed on Teresa’s back, a hint of guilt in her voice. She took a steadying breath. “About what happened last time, I owe you an apology. I was too impatient and said things I shouldn’t have, but I never meant for you to take all the blame.”

Teresa let out a cold laugh. “So you slap me and then try to sweet-talk me? Like I said, I’m done helping you. Just make sure that if Donald finds out about the abortion and the fake pregnancy, you don’t drag me down with you.”

“I won’t,” Jennifer replied, enunciating each word. “I really hope you can live your life well. If you need anything, just tell me. I’m your sister, after all. As for Irene, I don’t want you to be bullied by her. Who does she think she is, messing with our family? She thinks you have no one on your side? She is wrong. You’re not fighting alone.”

Teresa’s eyes reddened for a moment. Honestly, she would have preferred if Jennifer hadn’t said that last part; then she could have kept being cold and not cared about Jennifer at all. Back then, when Teresa thought her own family had betrayed her, Jennifer still stood up for her in front of Irene. Teresa took a deep breath. “Like I said before, let’s each walk our own path.”

Back in the dining room, Teresa had already pulled herself together, but Jonathan still caught sight of her slightly red eyes. He frowned, his gaze lingering on her, wanting to say something. But with several people sitting between them, it was as if, in front of everyone, he no longer had any excuse or standing to show he cared.

After Michael finished the meal, Hayden told Werner, “Why don’t you take the little guy out to the back garden for a bit?”

“Sure thing, Dad,” Werner said, scooping Michael up. “Come on, Mike, I will take you outside to walk off that big meal. Let’s go.”

Once Michael was out of sight, Hayden couldn’t help but watch him go, a look of longing on his face. “Just look at that adorable little guy! You two,” he said, pointing at Donald and Cheryl, “how could you bear to keep something like this from us?”

Cheryl felt a bit wronged. It was Jennifer who wanted to keep it under wraps, but Donald had begged her, asking her not to blame Jennifer because Jennifer was pregnant.

“Grandpa,” Cheryl said, “I was just worried Irene would try to snatch the baby from Teresa. I felt bad for Teresa, so I helped her out.”

“What did you just say?” Irene snapped, her lips twisting in anger as she jabbed a finger at Cheryl. “Who’s trying to steal her baby? Why are you pinning this on me now, you brat?”

Cheryl shot back, “Well, why did you call and yell at me and Donald this morning? We have already apologized to Jonathan. It’s not your place to scold us.”

“Cheryl,” Donald interjected, “that’s enough.”

Cheryl stood up. “Okay, I’m done talking. I’m going to check on Mike. You guys go ahead.”

Jonathan frowned and turned to Irene, “You called and yelled at them?”

Irene tried to explain. “I just couldn’t help being angry that they lied to you. We’re all family here, but instead of being honest with each other, they’re siding with outsiders.”

“That’s enough,” Hayden said, slapping his hand on the table. “There are no outsiders here. Everyone at this table is family.”

Irene pressed her lips together, not daring to say another word in front of Hayden.