Chapter 142

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‘ Was it because I had too much to drink ? Teresa wondered .
She stepped outside , feeling better as the cool breeze caressed her face . Yet , she still felt warm . She had on a black cardigan beneath her white coat , and even with the coat unbuttoned , the heat wouldn’t fade .
She was about to drive home when she suddenly remembered she’d been drinking . Just as she reached for her phone to call Miriam , headlights flashed in her direction , and Jonathan’s car pulled up . He stepped out of the vehicle .
Teresa stepped out of her car , and Jonathan handed her a bag . “ Sorry for missing your call . I was tied up . Here’s your scarf . ”
She nodded , taking the scarf from him . As she turned to leave , she staggered and nearly lost her balance .
Jonathan grabbed her arm , steadying her . Noticing his flushed cheeks , he asked , “ Are you okay ? ”
“ I’m fine . It’s probably because of the alcohol , ” Teresa replied .
“ You had alcohol ? ” He frowned , then seemed to remember something . “ I saw the photo . I don’t have that kind of wine at home ; Simona probably brought it over . My mom sent her to meet me , but I only had a brief chat with her at a café nearby before sending her on her way . ”
“ You don’t need to explain that to me . I’m leaving . ” Teresa said .
“ Let me give you a ride , ” Jonathan offered ,
Teresa accepted the offer , which saved her the trouble of getting Miriam to come pick . her up . She felt so dizzy and uncomfortable that she just wanted to go home , take a bath , and sleep .
“ How are you feeling ? ” Jonathan stole glances at Teresa as he drove , concerned . Seeing the flush creep from her cheeks all the way to her neck , he felt her forehead . Are you feeling feverish ? ”
Teresa shook her head , too weak to push him away . The cool touch of his palm was strangely comforting .
Jonathan’s phone rang again with a call from Irene . She’d been calling him nonstop , which was why Teresa couldn’t reach him .
“ Hello ? ” He answered the call .
The moment Irene heard Jonathan’s voice , she chided , “ Simona came all the way to see you , bringing gifts for you ! I left so you two could have some quality time together . How could you not appreciate her efforts and even threaten to call the police ? She’s devastated ! ”
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“ She’s been stalking me ! She even followed my car today ! How could I not call the police ? ” he retorted .
Irene came to Simona’s defense . “ I was the one who told her you’d be back on January 3rd ! She probably just happened to be heading the same way as you . You’re overthinking . ”
“ Stop making excuses for her . I’m not just uninterested ; I’m outright disgusted by her , ” Jonathan snapped .
“ You … ” Irene began , then paused to calm herself down . “ If you’re not into her , I’ll talk to her . You can’t just treat her like that when she’s come all the way here . ”
“ Do whatever you want . I’m driving . ” Impatient , Jonathan hung up and tossed his phone to the backseat .
Teresa raised a hand to cradle her throbbing head ,
rise and fall . “ Could you get me a bottle of water ? ach breath causing her chest to
I’m thirsty . ”
Jonathan cast her a quick glance before pulling into a nearby convenience store . He returned moments later with a bottle of water .
Teresa could barely open her eyes . Her vision blurred , but she could just make out his figure as he unscrewed the cap and handed her the bottle .
“ I think you’re having a fever . Let me take you to the hospital , Jonathan expressed his
concern .
“ No need .” The bottle slipped from her weak grasp , spilling water onto her skirt .
Jonathan frowned and grabbed a tissue , wiping her damp skirt . As he dabbed at the water on her leg , she instinctively drew her knees together . “ Can I have some more water ? My throat feels so dry . ”
Warm breath brushed against her
Jonathan opened another bottle of water and held it steady for her , their bodies . naturally drawing closer as he helped her drink . His skin , and for a moment , it felt as if the slightest movement would close the distance between their lips .
Overwhelmed , Teresa wrapped her arms around Jonathan’s neck and kissed his lips .
Jonathan dropped the second bottle of water , and it spilled all over the car mat .
Teresa reluctantly pulled away , her hazy eyes lingering on him . “ Something’s wrong with me . This isn’t just being drunk ; it feels different . I don’t know what’s happening … it ‘ s like I’m burning up . It must have been the wine . I noticed the bottle was already open , with a glass sitting beside it . ”
It suddenly dawned on Jonathan , and his expression turned grim . “ Simona was there before I was back . She was the one who brought that wine . I think she wanted to drug me . ”
Teresa teased weakly , “ Just how charming do you think you are ? Why would she try to
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drug a divorced older man like you ? ”
“ You don’t believe me , do you ? ” Jonathan arched a brow .
Teresa gazed at his stunning face and the redness at the corner of his lips , a reminder . of the intimate moment they had just shared . “ Fine , I believe in you . I feel terrible right
now .
Teresa kept tugging at the collar of her sweater . She felt like she was on fire .
Jonathan started the engine and turned the steering wheel . Instead of turning right . toward Rosary Estates , he veered left . “ You have three options now . Hospital , your lover , or me ”
She instantly knew what he was implying , but she wondered who he referred to as her
new lover ,
“ The one at the movie theater ,” Jonathan explained .
* You mean Truman ? We’re not together ! I hardly see him ! ” she exclaimed .
Jonathan narrowed his eyes . “ Really ? You’ve been so distant , avoiding me completely . When I asked if you were seeing someone else , you ignored me . ”
That’s because I’m hiding our son from you , Teresa thought , licking her dry lips . All she could think of was to keep him from discovering that Michael was her son . That was why she avoided him for nearly a month .
“ I’m not going to the hospital ! It’s too embarrassing to go to the hospital for something like this , ” Teresa said .
“ Do you want me to help you then ? ” he asked .
Teresa shut her eyes , leaning back against the car seat . It was better to lose face int front of Jonathan than in a hospital full of strangers . Her voice hoarse , she muttered , ” Yeah . I’ll pay you after this . ”
The car came to a sudden , jarring hall , jolting Teresa in her seat . If it hadn’t been for the seatbelt , she would have been thrown forward , She looked ahead and realized they were in the deserted Southmoon Lake Development Zone .
She could feel Jonathan’s anger simmering beneath the surface .
Without a word , Jonathan unbuckled Teresa’s seatbelt and leaned in , kissing her deeply . This kiss was far more intense than the one before .
“ Sit on my lap ,” he commanded .