Chapter 679

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“ Gary has known about this all along , ” Jennifer admitted .
Donald asked , “ What do you mean ? ”
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Jennifer explained , “ Before Sanford even changed his name , he already knew about Mike’s true parentage . He threatened me again and again , saying he would expose it publicly .
“ I was terrified of losing everything – my career , and you – so I could only appeal to our old school ties , hoping he wouldn’t
say anything . That’s the only reason I ever met with him .
“ I swear , everything I’ve said is true . There was never any romantic involvement between Gary and me , and since marrying you , I’ve never done anything to betray you . ”
Donald let out a bitter laugh . He sneered , “ Is the department head title really that important to you ? Are you so afraid that being exposed will ruin your career that you live in constant fear every day ? Does that make you happy ? ”
“ That’s not how it is , ” Jennifer protested , her heart wrenching in agony . She said , “ At least in your heart , I’m still kind . You say I don’t love you , so why would I go through all this trouble to hide everything ?
“ I was terrified you’d find out I faked the report , that my perfect image in your heart would be ruined . I don’t care what
anyone else thinks of me , but I just couldn’t bear to see you disappointed or disgusted with me .
“ The first time I faked a report , I hadn’t even fallen for you yet. You always said I was the best , the most outstanding girl in your heart .
“ I was just so afraid you’d be disappointed , so afraid you’d end up hating me – exactly like what’s happening now . ”
She clutched Donald’s arm desperately , gazing up at him with beseeching eyes . She said , “ Donald , I can’t bear for you to hate me . I just wanted to keep that flawless image you always had of me – the goddess you believed me to be .
“ That’s why I kept lying to you , again and again . Don’t you realize how exhausted I am ? Night after night , I wake from nightmares , terrified you’ll leave me . I’m so weary . But this weariness is still better than losing everything . ”
དེ་ ༴ ང་ འཁོ ༩
At this moment , Donald was lost in confusion . He thought , ‘ Is this love ? Every word she utters now is a desperate plea- declaring her love for me , her fear of losing me , and her dread that I might come to hate her .
‘ Maybe this love was twisted from the very beginning . A feeling that’s pure worship – able to embrace only someone’s virtues and never their flaws – isn’t love ; it’s sickness .’
Donald took a deep breath as he listened to Jennifer plead desperately , “ You can deny everything about me , but you can’t deny my love for you . ”
He lifted his gaze to the sky , still heavy with clouds and gray with gloom . He insisted , “ No matter what , I have to tell Jonathan about Mike’s true parentage today . Please forgive me – I can’t keep enabling this selfishness with you . ”
He told himself , ‘ Before I am ever a husband , I am a human being – one who knows how to be grateful and how to repay it . Men of the Lynn family are no ingrates .
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“ Donald , Donald . Please don’t go , don’t leave me alone , ” Jennifer cried out desperately .
Donald had already driven away .
Jennifer collapsed , desperate to run after Donald , when a searing pain ripped through her abdomen .
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She had planned to wait until the baby’s heartbeat was steady before telling Donald about her pregnancy , so he wouldn’t get the wrong idea .
There was nothing else she could do now . The finality in Donald’s eyes stabbed at her heart . She decided to use their child as her last card , desperately begging him not to leave . She didn’t want a divorce or to lose Donald again .
Jennifer dabbed away her tears , composed herself with effort , then got into Teresa’s Porsche and drove off .
Meanwhile , at Rosary Estates , Teresa kept trying to call Jennifer , but the calls just wouldn’t go through .
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