Chapter 556
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She continued , “ You’re not a child anymore . Don’t go soft or lose your composure at every little thing . Think this through for yourself .
“ Face It , Teresa . There are only two possible outcomes – either Mike gets taken away from you , or he’ll be branded an illegitimate child . Period . With those final , brutal words , Jennifer simply walked away .
Teresa drove straight over to Miriam’s place to pick up Michael . She crouched down and looked Michael
up and down .
With a mix of relief and exasperation , she scolded , “ Didn’t I tell you not to run off ? Why did you sneak out of Miriam’s house ? ”
Michael said , “ You went to see Mr. Lime without me , so I had
but to sneak off by myself .”
Teresa took a deep , shuddering breath , her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she gently stroked Mike’s small hand . She said , “ Don’t ever sneak out like that again . Miriam and I searched everywhere for you . ”
Teresa held Michael tightly in her arms . Her tears flowed , seemingly out
them .
of
worry for Michael , yet there was also a deeper , unspoken anxiety behind
Seeing Teresa in tears , Michael hurriedly wiped them away . He said , “ Mommy , I won’t run off again . I promise . ”
Teresa’s tears fell onto Michael’s shoulder .
Miriam assumed Teresa was crying tears of joy after finding Michael , so she gently soothed Teresa , “ There , there , it’s okay now . We’ve found him .
“ I’ve already contacted the security camera installers
to
come and set them up . That
way , we’ll be prepared , just in case . ”
Teresa said , “ Miriam , I’m so sorry . I always seem to be causing you trouble . ”
Miriam scoffed , “ Come on , don’t be so formal with me .
Mike’s
practically my son . There’s no need to apologize between us . No more tears now . ”
Teresa nodded .
As soon as Cathy received the car purchase contract from Werner , she immediately called Cheryl .
She said , “ Your dad’s already got a car for you , so just relax and focus on getting your driver’s license . Once you pass , you’ll be able to hit the road in your
own car . ”
Cheryl said , “ Thanks , Mom . And thank Dad too . My dad’s the absolute best . ”
Cathy asked , “ When are you coming home ? ”
Cheryl didn’t even hear Cathy’s question – her mind was racing . She thought , ‘ I have get my driver’s license as soon as possible . Then I can drive Serena around , and we won’t have to walk our legs off anymore . ”
Cathy called out , “ Cheryl ? Cheryl ? ”
Cheryl snapped out of her thoughts and asked , “ Mom ? What is it ? ”
Cathy said , “ Cheryl , I asked when you’re coming back . What’s keeping you so busy over there ? ”
Cheryl replied , “ I’m in training sessions , Mom . It’s crazy busy . I gotta go , gotta get back to it . ” With that , she quickly hung up the phone .
Cathy didn’t press further . She was preparing to call Werner to ask when he’d be back .
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She felt that ever since Werner returned from Shaville , he’d been acting strange . He had been constantly distracted and absent – minded these past few
days .
Whenever Cathy pressed him for a reason , Werner would simply reply that he hadn’t been sleeping well .
That evening , Jennifer and Donald were going home for dinner , just as Cathy’s dual – cancer screening results came back .
Two high – risk HPV markers tested double positive , indicating an active HPV infection .
Previously , Cathy had always gotten her checkups at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital . But now things were different .
With Jennifer serving as department head of gynecology, it was only natural for Cathy to feel more at ease having Jennifer oversee the examination .
By this point , Jennifer had already reviewed the report , and so had Donald .
On the way home , Donald turned to Jennifer and said , “ Let’s not tell my mom just yet . I’ll check with my dad first . I don’t want her worrying over nothing . ”
Jennifer said , “ I don’t think your mom is that kind of person . Maybe the issue is with your dad . ”
Donald bristled slightly .