Chapter 785

“Is that so?” Jennifer’s nails bit into her palms, knuckles white. “What’s the result?” Her voice was a fragile thread, barely audible. ‘Please, not her. Please, anyone but her.’

“Our laboratory analysis confirms no biological relationship exists between you and Peggy Davis,” the voice stated professionally.

Tears tracked freely down Jennifer’s cheeks. “I’m not? Not Peggy’s? Are you sure?” Disbelief warred with desperate hope in her trembling voice.

“Yes,” the doctor confirmed.

“Thank you,” Jennifer choked out, clutching the phone like a lifeline. “Thank you so much. Thank you.” Relief washed over her.

The line went dead. Hiccups of laughter tangled with her sobs. ‘I’m not her daughter!’ The thought was a giddy rush, a reprieve snatched from the jaws of despair.

Meanwhile, in Jarisburg, Jonathan handed Teresa the unaltered DNA report. “It’s done. The lab called her with the fabricated negative result. She’s in the dark for now.”

“Thank you,” Teresa murmured; her eyes fixed on the damning numbers on the paper: 99.999% probability of maternity between Peggy Davis and Jennifer Nelson.

Jonathan’s brow furrowed. “She’ll discover the truth eventually, Teresa. And when that happens, expect anger, blame, she won’t appreciate what you’ve done for her.”

Teresa met his gaze. “Then we deal with it then. But right now? Knowing the truth would kill her. Literally. I know her.”

Jonathan rubbed his temples, a sigh escaping him. “Fine. Your call. If you believe it’s worth the fallout, I’ll stand by it.”

“Thank you,” Teresa murmured, already turning. “I need to check on Lucas.”

Jonathan caught her wrist. “If there’s any news about your brother, I’ll let you know right away. What you need to do now is get some rest. You’re pregnant. You can’t keep wearing yourself out like this.”

Teresa shook her head. “I’m fine.” She moved to sidestep him.

Jonathan took in her weary frame. He stepped decisively into her path. “Are you trying to drive me mad?” The frustration was raw.

“I swear on everything, I will keep your family safe. Every single person. Now, for the love of God, rest. Or do you want me to carry you to your room?”

Teresa lowered her head. “Sorry…” The apology was a whisper. She knew she was unraveling. The weight of it all–her fractured family, the lies, the fear–felt crushing.

Jonathan sighed, the anger dissipating as quickly as it flared. He gently guided her by the elbow back towards the bedroom. “Sleep. I’ve got this. All of it.”

This time, Teresa didn’t resist. A weary sigh escaped her. “Once Lucas wakes, I want to go back to Nareigh.”

“Okay,” Jonathan said as his phone started buzzing. “I’ll go pick someone up. You just get some rest.”

Teresa watched him go. She had too much on her mind to fall asleep.

Minutes later, Miriam appeared. Teresa was stunned. ‘Miriam is supposed to be in Nareigh. How did she get here?’ Teresa wondered to herself.

Edward was right behind Miriam. He gave Teresa a quick greeting before heading out.

“Miriam?” Teresa breathed, still disbelieving. “What are you doing here?”

Miriam rushed forward, grabbing Teresa’s hand. “I heard about what happened to your family. I was frantic. Jonathan–he sent tickets. For me and Edward. We jumped on the first flight.”

Teresa’s eyes welled up. Jonathan. He brought them.‘ She forced a wobbly smile. “You didn’t have to come all this way. Really. I’m managing.”

Miriam cupped Teresa’s face, thumbing away a stray tear. “Teresa,” her voice softened with empathy. “How could you be okay? Jennifer isn’t your sister, your mom is fighting a lawsuit, and your brother is still unconscious.

“I know you. This weight? It’s crushing you. So cry. Just cry, Teresa. I’m here.”

Teresa buried her face against Miriam’s shoulder, the dam finally breaking as silent sobs shook her frame, her tears soaking Miriam’s shoulder.

Miriam held her close, rubbing her back. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I should’ve been.”

“No, really.” Teresa insisted, “I’m okay.”

“Teresa,” Miriam soothed. “Let it out. It will get better. You’ve found your brother now. That means something. You’re both good souls. Good souls find their way through.”

Held securely in her best friend’s arms, Teresa finally surrendered to the storm of grief she’d been holding back.

Miriam held Teresa’s hand, patting her back gently.

Teresa let out a small laugh. “I’m not a little kid, you know. Are you settling me down to sleep?”

Miriam laughed softly, settling beside her and pulling her close. “Remember dorm life? You top bunk, me bottom. Half the nights I couldn’t sleep, I’d shimmy up that ladder and sneak into your cocoon.”

Teresa nodded, a faint, nostalgic smile touching her lips. “Simpler times. No worries weighed us down. Just young.”

“We are still young,” Miriam insisted, giving her a gentle squeeze. “And no matter what life throws? This?” She gestured between them. “Unbreakable. I’m your anchor. Always.”

“Thank you, Miriam,” Teresa said.

With Miriam there beside her, Teresa was finally able to sleep soundly for once.

The next day, Teresa returned to the hospital, finding Evelyn already keeping vigil beside Lucas’s still form.

Lucas remained unchanged–no flicker of consciousness. The doctor reiterated: prolonged, extreme stress had triggered a deep self-preservation mode in his brain. Awakening now depended entirely on Lucas himself.

“Keep talking to him,” the doctor advised. “Reassure him. Encourage him. Let him feel your presence. It can make a difference.”

Evelyn murmured her thanks.

Teresa stared at Lucas’s still face, the doctor’s words echoing. ‘So it’s not that he can’t wake up, he just doesn’t want to,’ she thought. “Yeah, reality is agony. His dreams must be his only refuge now.’

Evelyn squeezed Teresa’s hand. “Get some real rest. I’ll stay.”

Teresa shook her head. “Look at you, Mom. You’re exhausted. Look at your hair–new strands of gray every time I blink.”

Evelyn managed a tired, sad smile. “As long as you’re all happy, it’s worth it. But Lucas…” Her voice cracked, fresh tears tracing paths down her cheeks. “He’s endured too much. Far too much.”

Teresa gently brushed the tears away. “Please, don’t cry. It hurts your eyes. You know that.”

Evelyn nodded, composing herself with a shaky breath. “And Jennifer? Does she know the truth?”