Chapter 153

At that moment , Teresa finally understood everything . Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face . Her elder sister had been right by her side , yet she had been oblivious ,
like a fool .
“ Hannah , my dear sister , you won’t die . I’ll wait for you right outside the door . Let’s have a proper talk about everything from these past years , ” she said .
She could only watch as Jennifer was wheeled into the operating room . The red light above the door turned on . Teresa crouched on the ground , pressing her hands against the door , sobbing in despair .
She hadn’t even reconciled with Jennifer yet or told her how much she and Evelyn had . missed her . There were so many things she wanted to say to Jennifer .
A clean handkerchief was handed to her . Donald said gently , “ Teresa , please don’t cry . Jennifer will be fine . I promise I won’t let anything happen to her ! ”
Through her tear – blurred eyes , Teresa looked up and noticed that even Donald’s eyes . glistened with tears .
He began , “ I was with Jennifer after work today . It started snowing again , and the roads were slippery . I told her to drive carefully , but she wanted to stop by the supermarket to buy some short ribs for stew .
As she was making a U – turn , I saw her collide with an out – of – control truck . I pulled her out of the driver’s seat – her arms and legs were covered in blood from the shattered glass .
She told me to call you . At first , I didn’t understand that you two were sisters . But just
now , she told me she was your elder sister . That’s when it hit me . S
Hearing that , Teresa broke down completely . She exclaimed , “ It’s all my fault ! I’m such a failure ! Hannah was right here with me all along , and I was too clueless to realize ! She even bought short ribs for me because I mentioned yesterday that I was craving lamb ribs .
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She said she’d make it for me today because I don’t know how to cook . She moved in with me , kept everything hidden from me , and took care of me ! ”
Teresa’s face was soaked with tears , and nothing Donald said could console her . She couldn’t stop crying as memories of Jennifer filled her mind .
Her elder sister , originally named Hannah , was now known as Jennifer . Teresal wondered why she changed her name and what she had been through all these years .
Hannah had braved the world al successfully unlocked us why she chose to become a doctor after graduating from university and how she could afford tuition and living
expenses .
She wanted to know everything and protect Hannah , to shield her from harm – as long
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as Jennifer survived .
Her phone buzzed with a message from Evelyn : [ How’s your friend ? Is she okay? ]
Teresa sobbed even harder when she saw the message . She replied : [ She’s fine . Safe and sound . ]
Evelyn responded : [ It’s snowing again . Drive carefully and come home early . You don’t need to stop by my place . ]
Teresa replied , [ Got it . ]
She couldn’t tell Evelyn about Hannah just yet . She was afraid Evelyn might break. down even more than she had .
The red light outside the operating room turned off in the early hours of the morning .
“ Doctor , how is she ? How’s my sister ? ” Teresa asked as she rushed forward , with
Donald close behind .
“ Dr. Nelson is out of danger now . Thanks to Donald’s prompt actions , her head and internal organs were unharmed . It’s a real blessing , ” the doctor replied .
“ Thank you , ” Teresa choked out , tears streaming down her face as she clasped the doctor’s hand and bowed deeply . “ Thank you so much ! she repeated .
Jennifer was transferred to a ward . Donald went to check on her , and Teresa followed .
Jennifer was still unconscious . Seeing her pale , thin face , Teresa felt another wave of guilt . It was all her fault .
Jennifer only had her as family , so she had to
needed to go home and bring Michael over .
va care of Jennifer . But first , she
“ Teresa , don’t drive . Take a cab instead . The roads are slippery in this weather , and you ‘ re not in the right state of mind to drive , ” Donald said .
“ I’ll drive slowly . Take care of Hannah for me . I’ll be back soon ,” Teresa replied .
She got into the parked Maybach . The faint scent of Jonathan still lingered in the car . Leaning back in the seat , she let out a bitter laugh .
Right now , she desperately needed a shoulder to lean on . But he wasn’t here . Just like when her grandparents passed away – he wasn’t there then either . Every time she broke down and cried , he was never by her side .
At Rosary Estates , Michael had been waiting by the window for Teresa to come home . He tossed aside his plush toy and ran to her as soon as she walked in . He said , ” Mommy , why are you so late ? Ms. Doctor hasn’t come home either . ”
Teresa crouched down , and Michael noticed her red , swollen eyes . “ Mommy , were you crying ? ” he asked .
Teresa held his hand , though her hands were icy cold . She choked out the truth . “ Ms. Doctor is actually Mommy’s elder sister , your aunt . She’s very sick now , and no one’s
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there to take care of her . We need to go and look after her . ”
Michael tilted his head , thinking for a moment . “ So I should call her Aunt Hannah from now on , right ? ” he asked .
“ Yes , you should call her Aunt Hannah . She’s your real aunt ,” Teresa said , pinching his cheek .
After packing a few clothes , she took Michael to the hospital , not wanting Jennifer to wake up without anyone by her side .
On the way , Michael excitedly fiddled with the controls in Jonathan’s car . His eyes sparkled as he asked , “ Mommy , is this Mr. Lime’s car ? ”
“ He lent it to me for a couple of days . Sit tight , ” Teresa said .
“ Humph , Mr. Lime is still on his business trip , isn’t he ? ” Michael said .
“ He should be back soon , but I don’t know ,” Teresa replied . She wasn’t in the mood to ask Jonathan when he would return . Her mind was entirely preoccupied with family matters .
Teresa had just parked the car when she caught a glimpse of Donald disappearing down the corridor . It suddenly dawned on her and she turned to look at Michael behind her . She was exasperated .
How much longer were they going to keep the secret from Michael ? But if they revealed his identity now , it would be a complete chaos .
She had no energy to engage in a tug – of – war with Jonathan and Irene over the child . The matters at home were already overwhelming .
“ Michael , promise me one thing . While we’re in the hospital , don’t call me ‘ Mommy , ‘ don’t leave my sight , and don’t talk to strangers ,” Teresa said .
“ What if I don’t promise you that ? ” Michael asked .
“ Then I’ll cry right here ! ” Teresa said , word by word .
Michael helplessly spread his hands . “ A woman’s tears , the ultimate weapon . Fine , I’ll agree . Satisfied ? ” he replied .
Not bothering to banter further , Teresa scooped up Michael and got out of the car .
Meanwhile , Donald was busy running up and down the hospital , arranging a bed and admission for Jennifer . Then he spotted Teresa holding the hand of Michael , walking toward him .
Michael wore a scarf and a white mask , revealing only a pair of bright , spirited eyes . Donald glanced at him once , then couldn’t help but look several more times .
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