Chapter 165

164. 164
Jennifer then deleted the conversation , erasing all of Jonathan’s messages as if nothing had ever happened .
The message read . [ She’s in the shower . ]
The response that Jonathan had been anticipating left him stunned . A storm brewed in his eyes as he frantically called
Teresa
“ Sorry , the number you have dialed is currently unavailable … ” The automated voice echoed
He gripped his phone tightly , almost crushing it .
Though he was scheduled to return in a few days , he couldn’t wait any longer . He ordered his secretary to book the fastest flight back to Nareigh , not even bothering to choose a seat . He was determined to go back immediately
Meanwhile , at Rosary Estates , Teresa changed into clean loungewear as she emerged from the shower . Upon exiting her room , she saw Jennifer opening her parcel . Smiling , she walked over . “ I bought these clothes for you . Do you like them ? ” Jennifer shot her a glare . “ How many times do I have to tell you not to buy me stuff ? I wear a lab coat at work , so it doesn’t even matter what I wear underneath ! ”
Teresa smiled . “ But you still have weekends and holidays , right ? You’ll need a few nice outfits . Don’t be too frugal with your clothes . You might hesitate to spend , but I’m not . ”
“ You’re unbelievable .” Jennifer chuckled .
“ Oh , right . ” Teresa looked around the room . “ Where’s my phone ? ”
Jennifer pointed to a socket below the television . “ It ran out of battery , so I charged it for you .”
“ Okay then . ” Teresa went to dry her hair .
A woman’s hair care routine was never a simple task . After drying her hair and soothing her limbs with moisturizer , Teresa finally picked up her phone , only to find it had turned off .
Unbothered , she went to tuck Michael into bed . It wasn’t until she settled into her own bed that she powered on her phone , which immediately began ringing .
She answered the phone upon seeing Miriam’s name on the screen .
Miriam’s voice sounded frantic . “ Why was your phone turned off for so long ? I tried calling so many times ! ”
Stunned , Teresa replied , “ My phone was charging and I just turned it on . What happened ? ”
Miriam was on the verge of breaking down . “ Jonathan said you weren’t answering his calls , so he called to ask me who you were with . I told him I didn’t know , and he got so upset , demanding answers . I was terrified ! I’ve never seen him this . anxious before . He’s flying back now , probably already on the plane . Seriously , what’s going on between you two tonight ? ” Teresa struggled to find words .
“ What’s wrong . Teresa ? Why aren’t you saying anything ? Did something happen ? Talk to me ,” Miriam said .
Teresa snapped back to reality , utterly confused . “ Nothing happened . I texted him earlier today but haven’t looked at my phone since . ”
Teresa then opened WhatsApp , but her chat history with Jonathan had somehow been deleted . She clicked into his profile . but all their messages were gone . Their entire conversation history had just disappeared .
Teresa frowned , a pang of emotion tugging at her heart . No matter how angry she got , she only ever blocked him . Blacking him wouldn’t erase their chat history, after all . She couldn’t quite explain it , but she couldn’t bring herself to delete their
messages .
“ He’ll arrive in Nareigh around dawn . Let me know if he calls you . I thought something serious had happened between you two . I was so scared ! ” Miriam continued .
“ Okay , got it . You don’t have to worry now . ” After hanging up . Teresa went to Jennifer’s room .
Jennifer told her the truth , “ He texted you when I was receiving the parcel . I saw it and told him you were in the shower . ”
Teresa frowned . “ What ? Why would you respor
ch a suggestive message , no less ? ” Any adult who received a text like that was bot S
Successfully unlocked !
Jennifer lifted her head , displeased . “ You’re one to talk . You’ve been sleeping with him ? Since when ? And why don’t I know ? ”
Teresa was taken aback . “ What did he send ? ”
Jennifer replied , “ I forgot . I deleted them all . It was just a load of harassing texts anyway . ”
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Teresa’s voice tightened with displeasure . “ No matter what he sent me , it should have stayed between us . I have a right to my privacy , and even as my sister , you shouldn’t be responding to my messages . I gave you my password because I trusted you , not so you could snoop through my messages . I told you to help me with receiving the parcel , not invade my personal
space ”
Jennifer was puzzled “ You’re still in love with him ? You’re still hung up on him , aren’t you ?
“ I’m not hung up on him ! ” Teresa exclaimed .
“ You’re lying ! Jennifer snapped . “ You’re still attached to him , aren’t you ? That’s wit you can’t let him go , always holding onto some soft spot for him. Haven’t our parents ‘ failed marriage tought you anything ? Look at you , drawn back in like a moth to a flame . You’ve hit a dead end , gotten a divorce ; so why are you going back now ? ”
Teresa calmed down . I’m not going back to him . I’ve said that I won’t get back together with him . What more do you want ? ” Jennifer demanded , “ I want you to stop talking to him and cut all ties with him . Pack up your things and leave Nareigh behind . Let’s you , me , and Mike move to a new city and start over as a family . ”
Just as Teresa was about to respond , her phone rang , Glimpsing the caller ID , she turned to leave without a word
“ You’re not going anywhere ! It’s late ! Jennifer shouted . “ Don’t you dare leave , or you’re no longer my sister ! ”
Despite her words , Teresa walked out without a second glance .
Jennifer was seething with rage . Teresa was her only family . She cared for Teresa and Michael more than anything , and if it weren’t for them , she would’ve left Nareigh for another city long ago .
Alas , Teresa did not appear to appreciate her effort . She was frustrated .
Jennifer stepped out of the room and saw Michael at the doorway of his room , looking at her with teary eyes .
She walked over , asking , “ Mike , why are you awake ? ”
Michael wiped his tears . “ Please don’t fight with Mommy , Aunt Hannah . Mornmy is a scaredy – cat . Don’t scare her , please ! ” Jennifer was overwhelmed with guilt . She crouched down , comforting him , “ I’m sorry , Mike . I didn’t mean to frighten you My voice was too loud , wasn’t it ? I promise I won’t do it again . ”
Memories of her childhood with Teresa flooded Jennifer’s mind – how they used to hide by the door whenever Evelyn and Philip argued , too terrified to make a sound .
At that moment , Jennifer realized that she couldn’t repeat her parents ‘ mistake .
She hugged the boy , saying , “ I’m sorry Mike . From now on , I’ll make sure to talk to your mom more kindly . But there’s one thing I want you to remember . You and your Mommy are my only family Everything I do is to protect both of you . ”
Teresa drove to Luviston Estates
The call that she had received earlier came from Benny
According to Benny , Jonathan was so desperate to contact Teresa that he reached out to almost everyone he could , including Miriam and Benny himself .
It had been a long time since Benny had seen Jonathan so anxious .