Chapter 131
131. 131
131. 131
Jonathan opened the report and read it from beginning to end , his eyebrows slowly furrowing . Then , he crumpled the report into a ball in his hand and tossed it onto the floor beside him .
He explained inwardly , ‘ As I thought , he’s not my child ! What was I even expecting ? I feel like an idiot ! ‘
He had secretly done another DNA test without telling anyone , even lying to Donald , saying it was for a friend . He even secretly drove to the hospital alone instead of having his driver take him .
Despite all that , the child wasn’t his . Everyone said the child looked like him , but so
what ? The evidence was clear .
Feeling frustrated , Jonathan grabbed his suit jacket and walked out .
On New Year’s Eve , every household was bustling , and fireworks were going off everywhere .
Jennifer sat alone in her office , gazing at the fireworks outside . She reached into her drawer , took a photo , and looked down at it .
A knocking echoed in the room .
“ Come in , ” she said as she casually placed the photo back in the drawer .
The door opened , and Donald walked in with a cup of hot coffee . He wasn’t wearing his coat , just a simple white shirt and gray pants , looking quite fresh .
Jennifer stared at him in confusion . “ Why aren’t you home having New Year’s Eve dinner ? ”
Donald glanced at his watch and said , “ It’s only six – thirty . No rush . I thought you might still be here , so I came by to check on you ! ”
A strange feeling rose in Jennifer’s heart . She looked away to the window and casually said , “ The day is getting shorter . It’s already dark so soon . ”
He asked , “ Yes . Are you hungry? How about I take you out to a restaurant ? ”
She stated , “ It’s New Year’s Eve . I doubt any restaurants are open . ”
Donald walked over and placed the cup of coffee on her desk . “ There’s a gnocchi restaurant across from the hospital run by a foreigner . They’re not going home for New Year’s Day this year , and I just saw it’s still open . ”
The aroma of coffee filled the air . Jennifer looked at his warm expression , pressed her lips together, and slowly nodded .
They went downstairs to have gnocchi and ordered a few side dishes , making it a
1/3
131 131
satisfying meal . Donald cleaned the fork and handed it to Jennifer .
The steam from the gnocchi enveloped Jennifer’s face , and she looked down and said , “ I’m sorry . ”
Donald raised an eyebrow . “ For what ? ”
Jennifer was silent momentarily , then shook her head without saying anything more .
Donald smiled . “ If you feel bad about not reciprocating my feelings , there’s no need to apologize . I won’t guilt – trip you . Just because I like you doesn’t mean you also have to . ”
Jennifer licked her lips . “ Why do you even like me ? ”
Donald was taken aback . “ What ? ”
“ What do you mean ? Are you saying you’re not good enough ? ” Donald continued to question her . “ You’re a beautiful and exceptional doctor , Dr. Nelson . You have no idea how many at the hospital secretly admire you . ”
Jennifer’s lips curved slightly . You’re flattering me . ”
He added , “ I’m not just buttering you up . In my heart , you truly are an amazing woman . ”
It had been long since anyone had called Jennifer an exceptional woman . Even though she was a few years older than Donald , his gaze toward her felt like he was doting on a little girl .
She thought , ‘ He is younger than me , but his gaze is clear , pure , and warm . No. What am I even thinking ? ‘
Jennifer quickly snapped out of it , suppressing the faint flutter in her heart . “ I’m full .
Let’s head back .”
“ I’ll drive you ,” Donald offered .
*****
At the Lynn residence , dinner was ready , and the New Year’s Eve ball drop was on TV . Cheryl was back to celebrate the holiday with Hayden .
Cheryl’s and Donald’s parents were out of town and couldn’t make it back . They might come home tomorrow or the day after .
Shortly after dropping Jennifer home , Donald drove home . It was freezing outside . It even snowed in the morning , though it had stopped at noon .
Only Jonathan hadn’t returned yet . Irene called him , but he didn’t answer .
Donald stated , “ I called Jonathan , but he didn’t answer . Maybe he’s busy .”
Hayden frowned with displeasure . “ What’s the point of being so busy on New Year’s Eve ? He is always working and can’t even give me a great – grandchild . ”
Beside him , Cheryl suddenly coughed and didn’t dare say a word , keeping her head down .
2/3
132. 132