Chapter 403

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When Teresa got home , Isabel and Michael both came running to greet her , and she pulled them into a big hug
Ever since Teresa came back from Strico , Isabel had really toned down her attitude . But every now and then , she’d look up at Teresa with those sad puppy eyes and ask , “ Is my mom going to leave me ? Will you leave me too , Teresa ? ”
Teresa would assure her , “ Your mom’s not going to leave you . And even if it’s just me by your side , I’ll take good care of you .”
The kids were munching on custard tarts , but Teresa seemed lost in thought . Her mind kept returning to Jennifer’s situation , leaving her feeling helpless . She didn’t want to know Jennifer’s secret , and when she did , she hoped Jennifer wouldn’t pull her into the mess .
After dinner , Cathy gave Teresa a call , which gave her quite a scare . She was worried for a second that Cathy had found out about Jennifer’s pregnancy .
“ Hello ? ” Teresa answered , sounding a bit more cautious than usual .
“ Teresa , you’re still up , right ? I hope I’m not bothering you , ” Cathy said .
“ No , Cathy . It’s only ten . I don’t usually go to bed this early . ” This time , Teresa made sure to lock her bedroom door . With Michael and Isabel already asleep , she didn’t have to worry about the kids suddenly barging in .
Cathy finally got to the point . “ I just sent you some money on PayPal . Can you check if I got your account right ? ”
Teresa had just gotten out of the shower and hadn’t checked her phone yet . When she opened PayPal , she saw that Cathy had sent back 220 thousand dollars she’d transferred earlier .
“ Cathy , what’s this about ? ” Teresa asked .
Cathy explained , “ Well , Teresa . Werner and I talked it over , and we really can’t accept that money .
“ You work hard for what you earn , and about the house , Donald was out of line . He should’ve told us before using the car money to help your sister buy a place .
“ But what’s done is done . Now that Donald and your sister are engaged , we’re all family . Werner and I think it’s best to just let it go . ” As she spoke , Cathy glanced at Werner sitting next to her .
Werner nodded , having just opened a bottle of fine wine that Jonathan sent over . He was sipping it as they talked .
“ Cathy , you and Werner really don’t need to worry . That money was just what my sister owed Donald , and I paid it back for her . I’m doing fine . Teresouth Group pays me a good salary , ” Teresa said , reassuring them .
“ Even so , Teresa . Werner and I just think if you and Jonathan ever got back together , we’d still be one family . There’s no need to make things so awkward between us , right ? ” Cathy asked .
Teresa went quiet . After a long pause , she finally said , “ Jonathan and I aren’t getting back together .”
“ Teresa , I’ve always thought of myself as your family , so I hope you don’t mind me asking something a bit personal . I’m just being honest , so don’t take it the wrong way , ” Cathy said .
“ Go ahead , Cathy , ” Teresa replied , not sure what was coming .
Cathy hesitated , sounding a little embarrassed . Was it because you and Jonathan didn’t have kids ? ”
Werner leaned in , motioning for Cathy to put the call on speaker . He wanted to hear Teresa’s answer , too .
Teresa couldn’t help but sigh inwardly . “ Cathy . Jonathan and I have been divorced for over three years . We just weren’t right for each other , and that’s
all . ”
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“ If it’s just a matter of personality differences , you can always work through it . But if it’s about not having kids … Technology has come so far , and Jonathan is rich now . Don’t give up so easily , ” Cathy advised .
Teresa was honestly at a loss . She didn’t get why Cathy kept thinking it was about kids .
She said , “ That’s not it at all , Cathy . It had nothing to do with having kids . We were both busy with our careers and just didn’t get around to it . It’s not that we couldn’t have kids . Really , please don’t overthink it . ”
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