Chapter 421
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“ Alright , I’ll reach out to Teresa once the DNA test results for Isabel and Teresa are in , ” Sanford said , then left .
Teresa turned to Jennifer . “ See ? Good thing I never let him meet Michael . Do you think he could keep something like that under wraps ? ”
Jennifer frowned , “ Sanford really let me down . He never used to be like this . I don’t know what’s gotten into him this time . ”
“ And you , ” she turned her frustration on Teresa , “ what’s your deal ? You’ve let me down , too . ”
Teresa fell silent .
“ You slept with Jonathan again when you went on that business trip ? ”
“ What’s it to you ? ”
“ How is it not my business ? ” Jennifer grabbed Teresa’s wrist . “ I’m your big sister . It’s my job to teach you about morals and decency . ”
Hearing Jennifer talk about “ morals and decency , ” Teresa just found it laughable . “ Your job transfer and promotion were all thanks to Jonathan’s connections . You promised me you’d leave Nareigh for Shaville , but you broke your word .
“ And you’re perfectly fine spending the money Donald’s parents gave him , letting him buy you a house . So tell me , how do you have the nerve to lecture me about morals and decency ? ”
Jennifer snapped , “ Why are you dragging me into this ? I just don’t want you to get mixed up with Jonathan again . I’m doing this for your own good – l don’t want you to make the same mistakes . He’d already left Nareigh .
“ But now , thanks to you running off on that business trip and getting tangled up with him again , he’s back . And now he even thinks you’re pregnant . ”
Teresa shot back , “ Isn’t that what you’re here for ? The all – powerful Dr. Nelson who can ‘ fix ‘ any DNA test . With you around , what do I have to worry
about ?
“ Go ahead and keep climbing that career ladder . I’m sure your precious nephew will help you become director . ”
“ You ! ” Jennifer was so mad at Teresa’s sharp tongue that she could barely speak . ‘ When it comes to arguing , Teresa is a pro – who did she even get that
from ? ‘
She tried to calm herself down . Right now , she cared more about the fate of the child in her womb . “ When are you coming with me for the abortion? I can’t go alone , Teresa . I need you there . ”
“ I’m not going with you . It’s your baby – whether you keep it or not , that’s your call . ” Teresa turned to leave , her tone cold and final .
Jennifer froze for a second before blocking her path . “ I care so much about your feelings . But why can’t you ever see things from my side ? Do you really think I’m that heartless ?
“ If I have this baby , I’ll lose everything . I’ll fall behind , all my years of hard work wasted . My classmates and junior colleagues will laugh at me for giving up my career to be a stay – at – home mom , turning into a housewife .
“ My whole life plan will be ruined . I don’t want to be cruel to the baby , but I can’t stand the thought of anyone looking down on me . I’m so torn up . ”
Teresa yanked her hand free . “ First of all , no one ever told you to give up your career . You can have both – career and family . You’re the one overt
“ You’re not even thirty and already an associate professor . Jennifer , you’re already amazing , and your classmates envy your life . Who would look down on you ? ”
“ You’re the first to look down on me , ” Jennifer said with a bitter smile . “ Without Jonathan pulling strings , Donald , you and I would all be better . It’s all because he helped . Otherwise , I’d be in Shaville by now , and everything would be- ”
1/3
“ Enough . ” Teresa couldn’t understand Jennifer’s logic . Jonathan helped her , and not only was she ungrateful , but she even blamed him for messing up her plans .
After a pause , Teresa continued , “ Why don’t you blame Donald for the car accident that ruined your plans ? Why is it Jonathan’s fault ? ”
Jennifer took a deep breath . “ We’re sisters . Now you’re taking Jonathan’s side and blaming me ? ”
“ You’re the problem here . You always blame everyone else . You’re so self – righteous . Seriously , you need therapy . ” With that , Teresa walked away for good .
Jennifer’s eyes flushed red , and she clenched her fingers so tightly that her fingertips started to ache .
After a while , Jennifer thought it over and texted Teresa : [ Teresa , I’m just really stressed out . I was a bit on edge earlier and said some things I shouldn’t have . I hope you can understand . ]
Teresa didn’t respond .
Sanford had already gotten the DNA test report for Isabel and Teresa . The last page said the results supported that they were related , but there wasn’t enough evidence to prove they were actually mother and daughter .
Sanford got the two copies of the report and called Teresa . “ The results are out – Isabel really is your sister . Alright , I was wrong . You guys didn’t even tell me her last name is Davis . ”
“ She used to have her dad’s last name , Wilson . After my mom divorced her second husband , she changed it to her own . You took your mom’s last name , too , so what’s so strange about it ? ” Teresa replied .
Sanford paused , then said with a loaded tone , “ Don’t you want to know my dad’s last name ? ”
“ I don’t care about your personal life . Now that everything’s out in the open , just don’t bother me again , alright ? I’ll pay you back within a month ,” Teresa said and hung up .
Sanford sent her a copy of the report . Teresa immediately forwarded it to Jonathan , figuring he wouldn’t keep digging into the kid anymore .
After finally wrapping everything up , Teresa headed home , with Isabel tagging along . Isabel insisted she wanted Evelyn , and Teresa felt a massive headache coming on . After a long struggle , she finally managed to coax Isabel to sleep .
Michael woke up . “ Mom , did you get in touch with Dad yet ? My birthday’s coming up – will he come see me ? ” he asked .
Teresa’s long lashes fluttered . “ I’m still trying to reach him . ”
Michael let out a little huff and stared up at her . “ Mom , look me in the eyes and tell me – did Dad really leave us ? ”
“ Of course not ,” Teresa said , meeting his gaze . “ It’s just that your dad and I haven’t talked in a long time . ”
Michael thought for a second and said , “ Mom , if you can’t find my dad , I won’t make things hard for you . Just call Mr. Lime instead , okay ? I haven’t seen him in forever . ”
Teresa was speechless . ‘ Jonathan’s already suspicious of me . If I reach out to him now , it’s like I’m just handing him the truth . ‘
Just then , Evelyn called over – Teresa had actually been about to call her . “ Hello , Ms. Davis ? You need to come back and pick up Isabel . I can’t take care of her anymore .
“ I’ve got so much going on every day , and I just don’t have the money , time , or energy to look after your daughter . ”
Evelyn sighed , her voice low , “ I’ll be back tomorrow , and I have something important I need to talk to you about . ”
08:51 Fri , 30 May