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Teresa chuckled coldly , her tone sharp and cutting . She glanced at the time as she prepared to board . “ Cut the crap , Hannah . I’m not coming back , and I’m sure as hell not dragging your nephew into this mess . Unlike you , I’m not that cruel . ”
“ How could you think that about me ? Do you even know why I kept switching the DNA test results ? It was all for you . I was terrified Irene would take Mike away , scared you’d end up trapped in that miserable marriage again . ”
“ And what did I say ? You’re happy now , aren’t you ? What more could you possibly want ? ”
“ Teresa , your words really cut deep , ” Jennifer said , her voice firm . “ Fine , go ahead and come back . Let Irene snatch your child right in front of you . Would that make you happy ? Everything I did was for your own good , but you never appreciated it . ”
I
Teresa closed her eyes , suppressing the surge of emotions threatening to spill over . She could have lashed out at Jennifer right then , unleashed all the harsh words she’d been holding back , and severed ties completely . But there was no deep – seated hatred .
between them .
They were like two flowers struggling to grow in the barren soil of their dysfunctional family , never properly nurtured . Both she and Hannah had their flaws . But Hannah had endured more pain , and that pain had twisted her into someone even more obsessive .
Unless Hannah could come to terms with her own obsession and see it for what it was , nothing would change . Even if Teresa argued with her now , Hannah would still believe she was right, that everything she did was for Teresa’s sake .
“ Jennifer , I still hope you can find happiness , ” Teresa said softly . Her words carried both a blessing and a farewell . She ended the call , pulled out the SIM card , and without hesitation , tossed it into the trash .
Holding Michael’s small hand , she walked away without looking back . As the plane roared to life and lifted off , Teresa felt the weight of her old life finally begin to fade .
Jonathan had been receiving mysterious bouquets repeatedly . The cards always carried the same cryptic message , [ Guess who ? My last name is Larkin . ] Jonathan frowned and called his assistant . “ Throw these out , ” he ordered .
“ Mr. Lynn , Ms. Larkin is downstairs and wants to see you ,” the assistant reported .
“ Which Ms. Larkin ? ” Jonathan asked .
“ She said her name is Simona , ” the assistant replied .
Jonathan glanced at the card again , and everything clicked . His brows furrowed event deeper . He wondered what the woman who had drugged him before wanted .
Simona had been waiting for Jonathan for what felt like forever , but instead of seeing
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him , she was greeted by his assistant . She quickly asked , “ What did Jonathan say ? ”
The assistant handed her a card and said , “ Ms. Larkin , Mr. Lynn asked me to pass this
on to you . ”
Simona grabbed the card and froze when she saw it was for the Psychiatric
Rehabilitation Center . Her face twisted with fury . She slammed the card to the ground
and stomped on it .
Irene arrived at Jonathan’s office and happened to see Simona driving away , her expression stormy . Confused , she asked Jonathan about it when she saw him . “ Why was Simona leaving your office ? ”
“ I have no idea ,” Jonathan replied flatly , not even bothering to look up .
“ Ugh , that Simona is no good . She even drugged you . Her character is just awful . ” Irene pulled out some photos from her pocket , her tone shifting . “ Look , I’ve found a few good ones for you . ”
“ Just leave them there ,” he said , his voice distant .
“ Let me guess , the moment I leave , you’ll just throw them away , right ? I know you too well . ” Irene softened her tone . “ At least take a look . I specifically picked ones who resemble Teresa . You can’t say they don’t remind you of her . ”
Jonathan froze at the mention of Teresa , his hand hovering over the desk . Slowly , her set down his pen and fixed Irene with a piercing stare . “ What did she say to you before
she left ? ”
“ Still thinking about her , huh ? Fine , keep obsessing over her . If it weren’t for her , you’d have been ruined ! ” Irene snapped , her voice laced with frustration .
“ And how , exactly , would I have been ruined “ ? ” Jonathan shot back , his tone sharp and unyielding .
“ Don’t think I don’t know you took her to Chicoham . You’re so careless . Do you even realize your current status ? Taking random photos with strangers ? What if they’re criminals or fugitives ? You wouldn’t even know . ”
Jonathan’s gaze darkened as he pressed her further , his voice low and tense . ” Criminals ? What are you talking about ? Did something happen ? ”
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