Chapter 853

Irene was sure that if Michael stayed with Teresa, he would be ruined sooner or later. Since Jonathan didn’t want to go to court, Irene decided she’d fight the case for him.

Then Irene started gathering evidence and reached out to a lawyer.

Alone and a bit bored in her hospital room, Teresa’s phone rang. It was an unknown number. She hesitated, then picked up.

“Hey, it’s me,” said the voice on the other end.

Teresa recognized Jennifer’s voice. Her voice faltered for a second before she asked, “Is this your new number?”

“Yeah, I just got a temporary number for now. I’m not using my old one anymore. I’ll go back to it when I’m back in Nareigh," Jennifer replied.

Teresa paused for a moment before asking, “Are you doing okay over there?”

“Yeah, I’m doing well,” Jennifer replied. “How about you? How have you been?”

“I’m doing fine too,” Teresa answered.

There was a brief silence between them.

Jennifer then asked, “How are things with you and Jonathan? That old witch Irene hasn’t been targeting you, has she?”

Teresa felt her nose sting with emotion, but she kept her tone calm as she replied, “No, she hasn’t.”

Jennifer went quiet again. The two of them could never go back to the way things were last year. There was a distance between them now.

“Good, as long as that old witch isn’t picking on you. If you need anything, tell me,” Jennifer said.

“No need, I’m fine. Just look after yourself,” Teresa replied.

The next second, there was a knock at the door. “Ms. Johnston, are you awake? We’re here to do another check-up,” a nurse called out.

Jennifer heard the nurse’s voice and asked, “Are you at the hospital?”

“It’s just a routine check-up, nothing serious,” Teresa replied.

“The baby’s heartbeat was a bit irregular, but it’s nothing serious,” Teresa said. She was too proud to admit why she was in the hospital, or what had happened. She wouldn’t even know how to explain it.

Jennifer couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, so she asked gently, “Are you really okay?”

“Yeah,” Teresa responded.

Teresa took a deep breath and added, “I’ve got some things to deal with here, so I’ll hang up now.”

“Teresa,” Jennifer called out. “If anything comes up, just call me at this number. You’re the only one who has it.”

She knew Teresa wasn’t the type to reach out first, but as her sister, she still felt it was her duty to offer.

She owed Teresa a lot, and she wanted to make it up to her. In her heart, Teresa was still her little sister.

Teresa felt a surge of complicated emotions, and her voice caught as she replied, “Got it.” Then she hung up.

After the doctor finished checking on Teresa, Evelyn showed up with Isabel in her arms, and Lucas was with them, too.

Teresa was surprised. She sat up in bed and asked, “How did you know I was here?”

Lucas replied, “Jonathan called me. Mom’s flying back to Gorthany with Isabel today, so I let her know as well.”

Evelyn looked at Teresa, clearly exasperated. “You’re all grown up now, but you still can’t take care of yourself? And you’re pregnant?” Evelyn said.

“I’m fine. The baby’s heartbeat was just a bit irregular. You don’t need to worry about me,” Teresa said, still trying to act tough.

“Teresa,” Isabel called out sweetly. Teresa pulled her close and sat her down beside her.

Evelyn said, “I need to take care of some things at the store in Gorthany. There are still employees over there. I asked Lucas to come with me, but he wouldn’t go. He’s too worried about you to leave your side.”

Teresa felt a warm rush inside. Just then, a knock came at the door. Before she could react, Miriam burst in and hugged her tightly, with Edward behind her, carrying fruit.

“And me. Teresa,” Benny showed up too, his arms full of stuff, here to see her.

“Why are you all here?” Teresa asked, surprised.

Miriam nuzzled Teresa’s cheek and explained, “Edward and I ran into Benny on the way here. As soon as he heard you were in the hospital, he had to come along.”

Moved by the crowd around her, Teresa’s eyes filled with tears. She felt a warmth she hadn’t known before and began to rise to greet them.

Benny stopped her, pressing her hand gently. “I heard you’re pregnant. Don’t get up. You’re almost due, take it easy and rest,” Benny said.

“Teresa, are you fertile or something? You get pregnant so easily,” Edward blurted out.

When everyone turned to stare at him, Edward scratched his head, confused. He thought, ‘Did I say something wrong? Why was everyone looking at me like I’m some clueless guy?’

Evelyn glanced at her watch and said, “I’m about to miss my flight. Isabel and I will leave first. You young folks keep chatting.” Lucas stood up to walk Evelyn out.

Back in the room, Benny looked at Teresa and grinned, “You and Jonathan are good at keeping things under wraps. I thought Mike was your only kid.”

“I wasn’t planning to tell him, but he figured it out himself,” Teresa said.

“What? He figured it out on his own? That’s progress,” Benny teased, hand in his pocket. “Were you planning to hide it again, like with Mike? Just stop messing around and get remarried already.”

Edward chimed in, “Yeah, just get back together with Jonathan. Make it official for him.”

Teresa couldn’t help but laugh. Then she said, “Alright, you guys, enough with matchmaking. Jonathan and I already talked it through. We’ve agreed to co-parent the kids.”

Baffled, Benny asked, “Wait, you’re co-parenting both kids?”

“Yeah, is that a problem?” Teresa replied.

“No, that’s not it,” Benny said, scratching his head. Then he teased, “Two kids and still not remarried? Is this some weird thing between you and Jonathan, or are you waiting for a third?”

“Teresa, Benny’s got a point,” Edward chimed in.

Miriam chimed in, “Why not just get remarried? Jonathan was the one who told me you were in the hospital. He was worried you’d get bored, so he asked me to come hang out with you and keep you company.”

Teresa was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Jonathan to be the one who asked Miriam to come.

“Come on, what’s the point of getting remarried? He’s rich now, and we’re not in the same world anymore,” Teresa said, her tone a little bitter.

Miriam frowned and added, “Don’t be ridiculous. You stood by him when he had nothing. Why would he look down on you now? And you’re gorgeous, more than enough for him.”

Edward shot his hand up and said, “Agree. You’re a total knockout. I declare you the queen of Nareigh.”

Miriam gave Edward a playful smack and said, “Look at you acting all important as if Teresa needs you to give her a title for her locks.”

Edward rubbed his arm, looking innocent. He thought, ‘Did I say something wrong again?’

Benny grinned, “See? Everyone knows you’re not the type to mope. Don’t get insecure because you’re pregnant. Jonathan wouldn’t cheat, and I’ll help keep an eye on him.”