Chapter 486

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When they walked out of the mall , Cheryl muttered , “ Teresa , you can’t treat me like this . Or I’ll tell Benny about Michael , ”
Teresa heard her . “ Really ? Threats again ? Want me to drop you off on the side of the road ? ”
Cheryl shook her head dramatically , her braids swinging . “ I know you won’t dare . ”
“ Wanna see if I will ? ” Teresa said and actually stopped the car . Cheryl knew when to quit and quickly apologized .
They got home earlier than planned . On the way up , Cheryl swore Serena would still be asleep .
But as soon as they walked in , they saw Michael gently patting Serena’s tummy , trying to soothe her . “ Sleepy baby … go to sleep … ”
Cheryl smacked her forehead . She messed up .
“ Michael , ” Teresa called .
“ Mommy ! ” He looked up and ran over , smiling . “ You and Auntie Cheryl are back ! ”
Teresa patted his head . “ I bought you some snacks .”
“ Thanks , Mommy ! The baby woke up , so I took care of her . I did good , right ? ” asked Michael .
“ You did amazing , ” Cheryl chimed in , pinching his cheek . “ See , Teresa ? I told you we could trust Michael . ”
Teresa gave her a look . “ Quit grinning . Go check if Serena’s hungry . ”
“ Okay , ” Cheryl said and headed over .
Teresa’s phone started ringing . When she saw who it was , her smile vanished .
It was Donald’s number , but the voice that came through was Jennifer’s . “ You still haven’t taken me off your block list , so I had to use Donald’s phone . I
need to talk to you . It’s about my wedding . ”
Teresa walked into a room , closed the door behind her , and answered , “ You can talk to Evelyn about that . ”
Jennifer said , “ It’s about the house . I’m in Nareigh right now and I don’t have a place to stay . Evelyn doesn’t either . The only place left is your place at Rosary Estates . ”
“ You’re saying you want to leave for your wedding from my house ? ” Teresa finally got it . She replied , firmly , “ No. ”
“ Why not ? I can have Michael stay in a hotel .”
“ Why should my son stay in a hotel ? Cheryl and Serena are staying with me , too . You want to use my house , and I’d have to rearrange everything for you . I don’t have the time , and honestly , I don’t want my house used for that . ”
Jennifer paused for a few seconds , then her tone cooled . “ I’m already at Rosary Estates . Let’s talk in person .”
Teresa didn’t say anything .
As she rushed out , Cheryl called after her , “ Teresa , where are you going ? ”
Teresa didn’t respond . She just asked Cheryl to look after the two kids .
Down in the garden , Jennifer parked her car .
As soon as she saw Teresa , she started questioning her . “ Why is Cheryl here again ? And she brought her daughter too ? ”
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“ That’s none of your business . Just stick to talking about the wedding , ” Teresa replied .
Jennifer dropped the Cheryl topic and got to the point .
“ I really didn’t want to bother you , but this is my wedding . It matters . Packing up is no It’s just for show , ” she said .
big deal . Just stash Michael’s stuff somewhere . Nobody will notice .
“ If it’s just for show , then use a hotel . Or stay at your dorm at the hospital . Or pick any place and fix it up however you want . Do whatever you like , Teresa said , turning to leave .
Jennifer grabbed her wrist .
“ So that’s a no ? Grandpa and Grandma gave you that house because they thought I was dead . If they knew I was alive , I think they would’ve split it , ” she
said .
Teresa was clearly annoyed and pulled her arm back . “ What are you trying to say ? ”
“ I’m not trying to fight you over the house . I’m just really hurt . I was hoping I could be picked up for my wedding from Rosary Estates , like it was my home . But you won’t even allow that , ” Jennifer said , her voice cracking .
“ All these years , I had no one . You had Grandpa and Grandma . They raised you , loved you . But I didn’t have any of that . I had to depend on myself . You had a better life , but you never appreciated it , ” Jennifer went on .
Teresa clenched her fists tight . Something in Jennifer’s words clearly hit a nerve .
She shut her eyes for a second , then opened them and said coldly , “ Fine . Just tell me how much you want . I’ll give it to you . I’m not going to your wedding . And after this , we’re done . ”
“ Done ? ” Jennifer narrowed her eyes . “ That’s not what I meant . ”
“ Then what did you mean ? ” Teresa shot back .
Jennifer didn’t know how to respond .
Seeing the look in Teresa’s eyes , full of anger and resentment , Jennifer took a deep breath and said , more calmly , “ I’m just sad . You seem to have so many issues with me now … so many misunderstandings .
“ Before we knew we were sisters , we got along really well . You’d drink and talk with me , and we’d go shopping . Besides Miriam , you told me everything .
But now …
“ Ever since we found out we’re sisters , why did things have to get so ugly between us ? ”
“ Was it me who wanted to end up like this ? ” Teresa asked her calmly .
“ Or was it me who left you all alone these years ? You keep using our grandparents to play the victim . What’s the point ? I don’t owe you anything . Your bad luck isn’t my fault . I don’t have to carry your pain , ” Teresa said .
“ As sisters , I thought I did enough , financially , help – wise , support – wise . But what about you ?
“ Every time I mess up even a little or don’t do what you want , you start mocking me or playing the victim about how hard your life has been , telling me how tough things were for you .
“ Jennifer , it’s not only you who’s had a tough time . Everyone has struggles .
“ You say you’re helpless and suffering , but you didn’t want to come back . ”
Jennifer froze , staring at Teresa .
Teresa stared right back , every word sharp as a knife .
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“ You had the chance to come back , but you were scared . Scared to face Evelyn and Philip fighting , scared of their yelling and pressure . So you didn’t dare
come back .
“ You said I was your only family , but you didn’t care if I lived in their chaos . You ran off to hide in Genevieve’sarms and live your new life .
“ You betrayed me long ago . ”
“ No. ” Jennifer shook her head , her face turning pale . “ Don’t think like that of me . I never meant to ignore you . I always thought of you as my sister . I wanted us both to be happy . ”
Teresa shook her head . “ From start to finish , you only ever thought about yourself and whether you could be happy ” Teresa walked past Jennifer .
Suddenly , light rain started to fall .
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