Chapter 135

135. 135
135. 135
Jennifer asked curiously , “ So what about Yvonne ? Are they together now ? ” Teresa shook her head . “ She had a major depression . Jonathan told me that she tried to end her own life last year . After he and I divorced , I never saw her again . ”
“ I see . But honestly , whether that woman is alive or not , it’s been so long since your divorce . There’s no need for a remarriage , otherwise , it’ll just be like before with his mother picking on you or some pretentious woman showing up again ,” Jennifer said . Teresa nodded . “ I made my mind the day we divorced . I won’t go back . Even now , my stance hasn’t changed . Some of my friends think we divorced because of money issues and tried to convince me to reconcile with him , saying that I could live a better life with him since he’s so wealthy now . But I’ve ignored all of them . ”
“ If I truly cared about money , I’d have taken the matrimonial house Jonathan offered during our divorce . I still have my pride even though we’ve only been married for two years . That house was bought with his money . I / couldn’t shamelessly stay in a place I didn’t own , ” she continued .
Hearing that , Jennifer gently patted Teresa’s head to comfort her . “ You’ve been through so much . Things will only get better from now on . ”
11
Teresa smiled faintly and thought , ‘ Yes , it was all in the past . With the new year , everything would get better , and the past would fade away with the wind and time ! ‘
“ Thanks for listening to my story . How about you ? Your family ? And your sister ? ” Teresa asked . She was curious about Jennifer because the latter always seemed to be alone with no family or friends around .
Jennifer gazed deeply at Teresa . “ My sister , she … She’s actually … ”
“ Actually what ? ” Teresa asked , puzzled .
For the first time , Jennifer felt flustered with her ears burning red . She was afraid the truth might scare Teresa . After all , in Teresa’s mind , she had been dead all these years . She wondered how she could explain everything she had endured .
Just then , her phone rang . “ Hello ? Okay , I got it . I’m on my way. ”
After hanging up the phone , she explained to Teresa that a pregnant woman with severe bleeding had been rushed to the hospital and that the director of the hospital had asked her to perform the surgery .
“ So much to do even on New Year’s Eve , ” Teresa commented .
“ That’s just how this line of work works hectic and full of emergencies ,” Jennifer replied .
Successfully unlocked !
Teresa nodded in understanding . “ You better go quickly . Do you need a ride ? ” “ No need . My car’s downstairs , ” Jennifer said .
135 135
After she left , Teresa cleared away the empty wine bottles and nut shells on the coffee table .
Michael was already fast asleep . She placed the new clothes she had bought earlier- when she was with Jonathan – by his bedside , thinking that when he woke up the next day , he would be able to wear the fresh sets of clothes , socks , and scarf .
It was already past eleven . The tune of “ Auld Lang Syne ” began playing as the New Year’s Eve ball drop came to an end . The new year was about to start , and the Lynn residence had grown quieter .
In the living room , Jonathan stood by the window , with a coat draped over his shoulders , gazing at the fireworks outside . It was quiet all around , but his mind was crowded with memories from his wedding with Teresa and their shared moments . Memories would trap those who cling to them , and he was one of them .
“ Are you hungry ? ” Irene walked over and asked with concern . “ Shall I make you some pasta ? ”
Jonathan shook his head . He was not hungry .
Irene’s eyes glistened with tears . “ You’ve drunk so much and haven’t eaten anything . How can your stomach take it ? And to top it off you’ve gotten hit by Grandpa too . Does it hurt ? ”
Jonathan dismissed her concern . As a grown man , he could take it .
“ Why did you drink so much ? Do you have another dinner tonight ? ” Irene asked .
Jonathan kept silent . After a moment , he took a piece of paper from his coat’s pocket and handed it to Irene .
Confused , Irene took it and lowered hér head to read .
Jonathan spoke , “ I did a DNA test again . Last time , Cheryl took it to a DNA testing center . This time , I took it to Donald’s tertiary hospital . The results will disappoint you . ”
Irene’s heart sank when she saw the result that there was no biological connection between Jonathan and Michael . The child , who resembled Jonathan , was unrelated in blood .
Irene said , “ Fine . If he’s not your son , I’ll accept it . Even if I see that child again , I won’t say another word . But … ”
Then , her tone shifted . “ It’s not too late to have one of your own now ! You’re so handsome . How hard can it be to find someone better ? ”
“ The one I like is the best ! Jonathan said . “ I’m going out for a bit . ” With that , he stepped around Irene and strode – out of the room .
“ Where are you going this late ? ” Irene called after him , but he was already out of sight , At Rosary Estates , it was late and the festive air outside had mostly dissipated . Teresa had finished tidying the house and was about to take a shower before bed when her
2/4
135 135
phone rang .
It was a call from the security guard . “ Ms. Johnston , Mr. Lynn , the one who drives a Maybach , is downstairs . He says he wants to see you but can’t reach you , so he asked us to call . ”
Teresa was speechless . “ Okay . ”
She ended the call without more words . Then , she grabbed a pair of binoculars and peered through her window . Sure enough , Jonathan’s Maybach was parked there .
She checked the time . It was already midnight . ‘ What was he doing here on New Year ‘ s Eve instead of staying at home ? ‘ she wondered .
Shortly after , the security guard called again . Teresa ignored the calls but eventually put on a coat and went downstairs .
Jonathan was leaning against the car with his back to Teresa . He was dressed casually in a black shirt and trousers , with a long down coat over them .
Seeing him dressed like that made Teresa a little dazed . She had nearly forgotten what
he looked like out of formal attire .
“ Hey . ” She kicked him lightly from behind . “ It’s midnight! Are you out of your mind ? Coming to your ex – wife on New Year’s Day ? ”
Jonathan stared at Teresa’s face just inches away , his restless heart suddenly felt at ease . Frowning slightly , he commented , “ It’s been 20 days since we last saw each other , and the first thing you do is kick me : ”
‘ Has it really been 20 days ? How time flew , Teresa thought .
“ You’re cold – hearted . You won’t meet me and you won’t let me come find you either . Even after I agreed to you and yet I’m still on your blacklist . I have to contact you through the property management , ” Jonathan said .
Teresa came back to her senses and leaned against the car with him . “ Is there any reason for us to keep in touch ? We already clarified everything before . ”
Jonathan demanded , “ Take me off your blacklist , or I’m not leaving today . ”
At that moment , Teresa wanted to check if he was feverish for coming over at midnight on New Year’s Eve just to argue with her .
“Stay here and catch a cold if you want ! I won’t be taking care of you anymore . ” Teresa turned to leave , but Jonathan blocked her path , making her bump into his chest .
Jonathan steadied her and said , “ Do you really have to treat me like this on New Year’s Eve ? I got hit by Grandpa at home and didn’t even get a hot meal . I’m starving now . ” “ What does that have to do with me ? There’s no food left at my place , just some ravioli . I was saving it for the dog tomorrow , ” Teresa said .
“ I’ll eat them ,” Jonathan said . “ I’m so hungry that I’m seeing stars . If I drive back now , I ‘ Il probably crash into a tree . ”
3/4
135. 135
Teresa was speechless . Michael was sound asleep . If he woke up and saw Jonathan , he would likely be over the moon .