Chapter 121
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She looked up to see Donald , the young resident , offering it shyly as he asked , “ Dr. Nelson , you haven’t eaten yet , right ? Would you like to join me in the cafeteria ? ”
Jennifer was about to decline but something made her change her mind , and she agreed to join him .
Sitting across from each other , Donald placed some ribs from his plate onto Jennifer’s . “ Here , eat more . You’re so thin ; it’s like food never sticks to you , ” he teased .
Jennifer looked up and said , “ I have a question for you . ”
“ Go ahead , ” Donald said , holding his breath as he thought , ‘ Is she going to ask if I’m
interested in someone ? ‘
“ Your last name is Lynn – are you related to Jonathan Lynn , the CEO of Horizonlead Group ? ” she inquired .
“ Huh ? ” Donald blinked in confusion , caught off guard by Jennifer’s sudden interest in his family .
Jennifer clarified , “ It’s just that a friend of mine has a colleague named Teresa , who mentioned her husband is Jonathan Lynn . Your last name clicked because there aren’t many Lynns in Nareigh . I figured you might be related . ”
Donald chuckled , admitting , “ Jonathan is indeed my cousin , and Teresa is technically my ex – cousin – in – law since they haven’t remarried yet .”
Jennifer blinked , taken aback . It was baffling how small the world was . The persistent admirer who’d transferred departments just to be near her turned out to be Teresa’s ex-
husband’s cousin .
Curious , Jennifer asked , “ Why’d they split ? Doesn’t the guy care about his own kid ? ”
Donald blinked , visibly puzzled . “ I don’t know why they got divorced , but I’ve never heard of a kid . Where’d that come from ? ”
Jennifer froze for a second . “ No kid ? ”
Donald spoke frankly . “ None . Who told you that ? ”
Jennifer quickly responded , “ Oh , must’ve been a mistake or something I
misremembered . You know how gossip gets passed around . ”
Donald studied her as he dabbed at his lips with a napkin . “ I thought you weren’t into gossip . Isn’t work supposed to be your one and only passion ? ”
There was no mistaking the admiration he held for her enigmatic , distant charm .
Jennifer replied , “ You give me too much credit . I’m just an ordinary person . ”
As she lowered her gaze , sipping her corn soup , her thoughts churned . ‘ Teresa definitely has a child . Could it be that Donald truly has no idea ? Did Teresa deliberately
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keep the existence of Michael a secret from her ex – husband’s family , even from Jonathan ? ‘
‘ Michael must be Horizonlead Group CEO’s son . I even went out of my way to buy their magazines just to learn about Teresa’s life . He’s the spitting image of Jonathan . I’m almost certain they’re father and son , ‘ Jennifer pondered .
“ What’s on your mind ? I’ve never seen you so distracted , ” Donald asked .
Donald’s words brought her back to her senses . She smiled lightly and said , “ Just realizing it’s almost New Year’s Day , and , as usual , I’ll be spending it alone . ”
“ What about your family ? ” Donald inquired .
“ I don’t have one ,” Jennifer replied , shrugging . “ They don’t really care about me . ”
“ Then , ” he began , gathering his courage and reaching across the table to take her hand . “ Let me take you home . Spend New Year’s Day with my family . ”
Jennifer froze before pulling her hand away as she refused , “ Thanks , but I’m not into younger guys . Besides , I’m not interested in dating right now . ”
Jennifer’s heart was firmly locked on her career , not romance . She had clawed her way up , starting with nothing and overcoming life – threatening trials . There were still scores to settle , and she wasn’t about to lose focus now .
She aimed for greater respect and higher accolades . Right now , the only thing that truly captivated her was the prospect of professional advancement .
Still , Teresa’s story gnawed at her mind . ‘ A single mom raising her child without the father’s involvement , and the father , a wealthy businessman , doesn’t even know . Why ? Is she avoiding a custody battle ? Afraid he’ll leave her with nothing ? ‘
Jennifer’s heart ached for Teresa . She ‘ understood too well how children without love became adults who guarded their treasures fiercely . For Teresa , Michael was everything .
Jennifer ended her shift with these lingering thoughts and made her usual stop at the bakery .
She had always adored sweets , a small indulgence she clung to since her childhood . Yet , after so many years of hardship , even the sweetest flavors left a bitter aftertaste .
Suddenly , a hand clasped her wrist firmly , making her turn .
Evelyn’s eyes brimmed with disbelief , her voice shaky as she tightened her grip . ” Hannah … Hannah , is that really you ? ” she murmured .
Snapping out of her daze , Jennifer impatiently jerked her wrist away from Evelyn’s grip . “ Who’re you ? I don’t know you . Seems like you’ve got the wrong person , ” she snapped .
Evelyn looked at her with a mixture of emotions . “ Sorry , you look so much like my daughter . If she had lived , she’d have looked just like you ,” Evelyn explained .
Jennifer sneered , pointing behind her . “ Your daughter’s crying in the car for you . You
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should probably check on her .”
Evelyn continued gazing at Jennifer and muttered , “ I guess I must’ve been mistaken . I ‘ m really sorry . ”
Jennifer turned and walked away , her expression unreadable . As she walked , she
could hear Evelyn’s soft voice behind her , comforting the child , “ Isabel , it’s okay ,
sweetheart . Don’t cry . ”
Upon returning to Nareigh , Jennifer immediately dug into Evelyn’s life . She learned that Evelyn had remarried and now had a daughter . Jennifer had witnessed it firsthand- the way Evelyn doted on this little girl .
‘ She never cared to check on me all these years , so why reach out now with such warmth ? ‘ Jennifer’s thoughts twisted with bitterness . ‘ Such pathetic maternal love , so laughable and deplorable .’
The only family Jennifer had left was Teresa , someone who , like her , had been abandoned by their parents . But Jennifer had never realized how much struggle Teresa had faced on her own .
‘ Why does life deal us such a cruel hand ? Why are we condemned to this misfortune ? ‘ Jennifer thought sorrowfully . ‘ At least , Teresa didn’t suffer as much as I did when I was
a child . ‘
That night , Jennifer returned home , pouring herself drink after drink .
Nareigh , unchanged yet so different , mirrored the brokenness of her family . Her father ‘ s coldness , her mother’s selfish pursuit of happiness – both led to Jennifer being abandoned , left with a sister who felt more like a burden .
‘ Isn’t focusing on career better ? ‘ Jennifer thought bitterly . ‘ Had Teresa’s circumstances been different , she would have gone to a better , more reputable hospital . Nareigh was always just a temporary stop in her journey through this city and its inhabitants . ‘
Jennifer’s phone lit up . Reading the caller ID , she wiped her tears and picked up the call .
“ Jennifer , I’ve got everything set up for you at the Shaville hospital . You can transfer anytime, ” informed the person from the other end .
She took another sip from her drink and replied , “ I’m fine here at Nareigh Maternal and Child Health Hospital for now . I’ll stay a bit longer . ”
“ Why ? Don’t you hate Nareigh ? ” the person asked .
“ I do , but I ran into my sister here . She’s in a tough spot , and I need to help her out first . Once I can , I’ll leave Nareigh with her , ” Jennifer explained .
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