Chapter 800
“I haven’t really thought that far ahead, but I’m not going to stay in Narcigh any longer,” Jennifer told Teresa. “Right now, I just want to live in the moment. I want to enjoy my life. Fame and fortune? They just aren’t that important to me anymore.”
Teresa gazed at Jennifer. Setting aside their family ties, as a fellow woman, Teresa realized that Jennifer had lost her career, her lover, her marriage, and even the baby she was carrying. She had nothing left. She had paid the price, and now she truly understood what it meant to live well from now on.
“Sure,” Teresa replied in a hoarse voice. For some reason, she felt a wave of sadness wash over her. Jennifer, who used to be so proud and full of self-respect, was now so calm and at peace.
Jennifer took Teresa’s hand and said, “Take care of yourself. I’m leaving now.”
Teresa went to see Jennifer off but didn’t say a word. Jennifer turned around with difficulty, tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn’t help but hug Teresa tightly. It was a long-missed embrace from her, as Teresa’s sister. Her tears dampened Teresa’s shoulder. She just held Teresa like that for a long while.
Then Jennifer said, “Teresa, I probably don’t have the right to say this, after all the pain I’ve caused you. But… If you ever need me, just call me. I’ll show up right away and protect you with all my strength.”
“That’s all I need to hear,” Teresa replied softly. “May we both find our happiness.”
Happiness could mean so many different things. One could seek happiness in various ways.
Jennifer said, “Take care.” After that, she vanished from Teresa’s sight.
Not long after Jennifer left, Miriam came back in a hurry. She was afraid Jennifer would give Teresa a hard time. But Teresa told Miriam that Jennifer was leaving Nareigh. Miriam couldn’t believe it.
Jennifer had promised before that she would leave Nareigh, but instead, she drove Teresa away and stayed in Nareigh, getting involved with Donald.
Teresa said, “When you’ve nearly died once, a lot of things just don’t matter that much anymore.”
Miriam froze. It was only then that she knew Jennifer had actually tried to end her own life.
“Seriously? She used to be so selfish. I never thought she’d actually try to kill herself,” Miriam’s voice choked up. She might not have liked Jennifer, but she never wished her dead.
In that moment, Miriam couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh anymore.
Teresa suddenly sighed, “In the end, life is just like that. Nothing more, nothing less.”
On her way back, Jennifer reached out to Gary. She wanted to see him before she left.
Gary had gone to Shaville to take care of some family matters on his mother’s side and wouldn’t be back in Nareigh until the next day.
At the café, Gary gazed at Jennifer. She wore no makeup, her hair was casually pulled back into a ponytail, and the fatigue was etched into her features.
Jennifer said straightforwardly, “I just wanted to say goodbye. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me. As for the car you helped me get back, I’ve already returned it to Teresa. I won’t need it anymore.”
Gary looked puzzled. He couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Did something happen to her?’
Jennifer recounted everything that had happened to her lately, speaking as if she were just a bystander in her own story. Her tone was as natural and calm as if she were just talking about the weather–so different from the way she used to be, all hysterics and emotion.
Gary felt a mix of emotions as he looked at her. “I really didn’t expect you to go through so much.”