Chapter 365

364
“ Don’t worry about her ,” Teresa said , hugging him . “ There are so many people who love my little muffin , and that’s all that matters . ”
After cheering him up , Teresa brought Michael along to the office today .
After parking in the B2 underground lot , she took the elevator straight up to her office and told Michael to be good and wait there . She had a meeting to
attend .
“ Mommy , am I still going to preschool ? ” wondered Michael .
“ Of course you are , ” Teresa said . “ I’ll think about which preschool is best for you . Let’s wait until after your third birthday , and when fall comes , you can start again , okay ? ”
Back in Everport , Michael had actually started preschool before he even turned three , since they made an exception for him .
Michael let Teresa squish his cheeks , put his hands on his hips , and huffed , “ You have to buy me a cake for my birthday this time ! I want chocolate . ”
“ Alright , ” Teresa couldn’t help but laugh .
She went off to a meeting . Not long after , the receptionist came over and said , “ Ms. Johnston , Jennifer is here to see you .”
Teresa’s face instantly darkened . “ I’m not seeing her . Tell her to leave . ”
The receptionist added , “ She said she wants to talk to you about her marriage . ”
Teresa paused . “ Let her wait in the lounge on the second floor . ”
“ If you’ve got something to say , just say it . Are we sticking to our deal or not ? ” said Teresa .
Jennifer finally cut to the chase . “ I heard from Donald’s mom that she called you . She even asked me if you’re playing stepmom now . I’m guessing she must’ve heard Mike’s voice in the background . ”
Teresa started to lose her cool . “ Yeah , Mike called me ‘ Mom ‘ and Mrs , Lynn overheard it . ”
Jennifer nodded . “ I told her you don’t have any kids and are just looking after a friend’s kid . Relax . I’ve got you covered . ”
Teresa curled her lips in a mocking smile . ‘ Indeed . With a sister like this , what’s there to be afraid of ? ‘ she thought to herself .
Jennifer switched topics . “ I’m getting engaged . ”
Teresa nodded . “ Yeah , Mrs. Lynn mentioned it . She hopes I’ll come to your engagement party and have a meal with both families . ”
Jennifer sighed , leaning back in her chair . “ Honestly , it’s mostly Hayden’s idea . He wants you there . Otherwise , I wouldn’t care if you came or not . ”
Teresa’s face was blank . “ I’m not going . Don’t worry . already said I’m not showing up at these kinds of things . ”
Jennifer saw the sarcasm in Teresa’s eyes . “ Are you mad I didn’t tell you about the engagement ? I just figured there’s no point . If you arene end up clashing again , it’s not worth it .”
“ Yeah , if I ruin your engagement party , I’ll be the villain for the ages . Better if I just stay away , ” sneered Teresa .
Jennifer shook her head . “ Girl , ruining my engagement isn’t the main thing . I’m just worried Irene might give you a hard time . ”
Teresa couldn’t be bothered to say anything else . She’d already said she wasn’t going . If a family member was required , Evelyn could go instead .
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09:02 Tue , 27 May
May
364
Jennifer took a deep breath . “ You call her . Ever since you left Fernlandia , I blocked her . I have no interest in keeping in touch with her . ”
“ It’s your engagement – you want me to call y
your
mom ? ” said Teresa .
83 %
“ She’s your mom too , isn’t she ? ” Jennifer shot back .
“ I haven’t talked to her since I left Fernlandia either . It’s your wedding , not mine . You tell her yourself . Don’t come to me . I’m busy . ” Teresa stood up , furious , ready to leave .
Jennifer called after her , suddenly handing Teresa a key . Teresa looked at it , confused .
Jennifer explained , “ This is a spare key to the apartment I bought in Nareigh , Newuze Garden on Haven Road . If you’re too busy to look after Mike , you can bring him over to my place . I’ll help take care of him . ”
“ No need , ” Teresa refused without hesitation . She’d already told Jennifer not to bother her . ‘ What is she trying to do now ? ‘ wondered Teresa .
Jennifer added , “ Or you can just live there yourself if you want . I don’t want to interfere .
“ After I get married , I won’t be living there anyway . I’ll move in with Donald , into the place his family prepared for us . Honestly , I got that apartment for you . ”
“ For me ? ” Teresa stared at Jennifer and went on , “ Is that really what you want ? You keep saying it’s for me , for your little sister , but honestly , it’s just for yourself .
“ You can’t let go of Donald , and you feel guilty for pushing me away in the first place . That’s why you bought that apartment – to make yourself feel a little better , right ? ”
“ Teresa , you- “ Jennifer tried to argue .
“ Let me finish , ” Teresa cut her off . “ I really do wish you happiness , you and the man you love . If this is what you want – living in Nareigh , being a wife and mom , always on edge – then go ahead and live that way .
“ If you’d gone to Shaville in the first place , maybe we wouldn’t have ended up like this as sisters . Don’t you think ? ”
Jennifer was about to say something , but she suddenly couldn’t get a word out . Her eyes turned red .
She took a deep breath . “ You’re right . If it weren’t for Donald , I’d probably be working in Shaville now . I wouldn’t have bought that apartment , and things wouldn’t be like this between us .
“ You wouldn’t misunderstand me , or even hate me as your sister Teresa , what should I do ? ”
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