Chapter 278

277. 277
Jonathan glanced at them briefly before looking away , their words barely registering in his mind .
At the same time , Teresa was back at the hotel with Michael . He sniffled , his voice trembling as he repeated over and over that he had seen Jonathan . Exhausted , hel curled up on Teresa’s lap , his small body relaxing as he drifted off to sleep .
As Teresa gently stroked his hair , her mind wandered . Earlier today , she had caught a fleeting glimpse of Jonathan’s reflection in a glass window . So she thought Michael might be seeing things .
Or Jonathan really was in Silvar . Probably on a business trip – he was always traveling , so it wasn’t entirely unexpected .
Teresa had initially booked a flight from Silvar to Jarisburg , but she ended up changing
her ticket .
After his nap , Michael went to Teresa and apologized . “ I know I was wrong , Mom . Even
you worry
if I saw Mr. Lime , I shouldn’t have run off like that . I promise I won’t make
again . ”
Teresa said firmly , “ This can’t happen again , especially in a city you’re not familiar with . You absolutely can’t run off like that . Understand ? ”
“ Got it . ”
“ Since you’ve been so good about admitting your mistake , I’ll take you back to Nareigh for a day . After that , we’ll head to Jarisburg . ”
“ Wow , really ? ” Michael’s eyes lit up as he clapped his hands in excitement . “ Does this mean I can see Mr. Lime ? ”
“ We’re only staying for a day . I’ll ask Sherry to take you to see him , but I won’t be going , ” Teresa said , her tone leaving no room for negotiation .
-Michael nodded quickly, recalling his promise . “ Got it , Mom .”
*****
Jonathan had arrived at the hotel earlier that morning for the evening gala . As he walked from the entrance to the elevator , he felt a strange sense of familiarity , like the air was carrying traces of Teresa’s presence .
Jonathan had always been sensitive to scents , and though it seemed unlikely , the thought lingered . Just as he was about to head upstairs , he stopped and turned to the front desk . “ Excuse me , has Teresa Johnston checked in here ? ”
“ One moment , sir ,” the receptionist replied , typing quickly . After a brief pause , she looked up . “ Ms. Johnston checked out two hours ago . ”
Jonathan froze in place , his mind reeling . She had been here and he had missed her
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by just two hours . His breathing grew uneven as frustration and urgency gripped him . ” Do you know where she went ? ” he asked , his voice tight with emotion .
“ Sorry , sir , we’re not sure . ”
**
Teresa and Michael had already arrived in Nareigh . They initially planned to stop by the company , but at the entrance of Teresouth Group , Teresa noticed Miriam driving with Edward in the passenger seat . The two seemed to be heading somewhere .
Miriam’s cheerful expression caught Teresa’s attention , and she couldn’t help but wonder if Miriam and Edward were dating .
After Miriam drove off , Teresa finally led Michael into the building . The receptionist’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her .
Teresa kept her voice low . “ Shh . Don’t let the managers know
soon . ”
“ Understood , Ms. Johnston . ”
I’m here . I’ll be gone
The company seemed to be running smoothly under Miriam and Sherry’s management , which reassured Teresa . She scanned the office floor but didn’t see Sherry , which meant she couldn’t leave Michael in her care .
As they left the company , Michael tugged at her sleeve , his eyes wide with excitement . “ Mom , can we go to Horizonlead Group ? Please ? ” Teresa shook her head firmly . Taking that route would mean passing by Jennifer’s hospital , and that was something she wanted to avoid .
Lost in thought , Teresa suddenly spotted Jennifer through the taxi window . She asked . the driver to stop for a few minutes but didn’t step out of the car . Instead , she observed the scene outside the mall entrance through the glass .
Jennifer clung lightly to Donald’s arm , his eyes never leaving her as he carried two shopping bags . Beside them stood Cathy , her enthusiasm almost overwhelming as she fussed over Jennifer , who maintained a cool and distant demeanor .
Watching Jennifer , cherished and surrounded by Donald and Cathy , Teresa felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite name – regret , perhaps , or longing . Her chest tightened . She couldn’t let herself go back – it would only bring trouble .
Jennifer’s secret about swapping the DNA test samples at the hospital could be exposed by Jonathan or the Lynn family . Her mèdical license would be revoked , her bond with Cathy would shatter , and Donald wouldn’t escape the fallout .
Even without her , life seemed to move on just fine for everyone else . At least , Jennifer who had endured so much hardship growing up seemed to be living a good life .
Yet , witnessing this warm scene brought a pang of sadness . It reminded Teresa of the days before her divorce from Jonathan , when she used to hold his arm . Now , it was Jennifer and Donald . If Hannah could find happiness , then perhaps that was enough .
277 277
by just two hours . His breathing grew uneven as frustration and urgency gripped him . ” Do you know where she went ? ” he asked , his voice tight with emotion .
“ Sorry , sir , we’re not sure . ”
Teresa and Michael had already arrived in Nareigh . They initially planned to stop by the company , but at the entrance of Teresouth Group , Teresa noticed Miriam driving with Edward in the passenger seat . The two seemed to be heading somewhere .
Miriam’s cheerful expression caught Teresa’s attention , and she couldn’t help but wonder if Miriam and Edward were dating .
After Miriam drove off , Teresa finally led Michael into the building . The receptionist’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her .
Teresa kept her voice low . “ Shh . Don’t let the managers know I’m here . I’ll be gone
soon . ”
“ Understood , Ms. Johnston . ”
The company seemed to be running smoothly under Miriam and Sherry’s
management , which reassured Teresa . She scanned the office floor but didn’t see Sherry , which meant she couldn’t leave Michael in her care .
As they left the company , Michael tugged at her sleeve , his eyes wide with excitement . “ Mom , can we go to Horizonlead Group ? Please ? ” Teresa shook her head firmly . Taking that route would mean passing by Jennifer’s hospital , and that was something she wanted to avoid .
Lost in thought , Teresa suddenly spotted Jennifer through the taxi window . She asked the driver to stop for a few minutes but didn’t step out of the car . Instead , she observed the scene outside the mall entrance through the glass .
Jennifer clung lightly to Donald’s arm , his eyes never leaving her as he carried two shopping bags . Beside them stood Cathy , her enthusiasm almost overwhelming as she fussed over Jennifer, who maintained a cool and distant demeanor .
Watching Jennifer , cherished and surrounded by Donald and Cathy , Teresa felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite name – regret , perhaps , or longing . Her chest tightened . She couldn’t let herself go back – it would only bring trouble .
Jennifer’s secret about swapping the DNA test samples at the hospital could be exposed by Jonathan or the Lynn family . Her medical license would be revoked , her bond with Cathy would shatter , and Donald wouldn’t escape the fallout .
Even without her , life seemed to move on just fine for everyone else . At least , Jennifer who had endured so much hardship growing up seemed to be living a good life . Yet , witnessing this warm scene brought a pang of sadness . It reminded Teresa of the days before her divorce from Jonathan , when she used to hold his arm . Now , it was Jennifer and Donald . If Hannah could find happiness , then perhaps that was enough .
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“ Teresa ? ” A sudden , sharp shout pierced through the air , jolting Teresa out of her thoughts . Benny stood on the road nearby , staring at her in disbelief . He couldn’t fathom that she was in Nareigh .
Teresa snapped out of it , her hand darting to the window controls . “ To the airport , now ! ” she urged the driver , her voice trembling with urgency .
With a barrier separating Benny from Teresa’s taxi , he couldn’t follow her directly . He
had no choice but to turn around at the next intersection and chase after her cab .
Meanwhile , he didn’t forget to call Jonathan .
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