Chapter 326

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When Teresa woke up again , her lips were red and a little swollen at the corners .
In the bathroom , as she was washing up , Jonathan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her . Teresa shot him an annoyed look . What do you want now ? Haven’t ‘ taken care of ‘ you enough already ? Two hours wasn’t enough for you ? ”
Jonathan frowned at her attitude , “ s it? Use me and toss me aside ? ”
Teresa was exasperated . “ Seriously ? And you even said I wasn’t good enough . Why don’t you find someone more skilled next time ? ”
Jonathan smirked . “ Practice makes perfect . Keep up the good work .”
Teresa was speechless .
Teresa returned to school . It was already afternoon .
Lysander wasn’t at school ; he was still stuck in bed after that beating , maybe even in the hospital . Jonathan had driven Teresa over , parked at the school gate , and got out to walk in with her .
Teresa glanced at him and asked , “ Don’t you have work to do at your company ? ”
Jonathan advised , “ You shouldn’t keep teaching here . Just quit . ”
“ I’m on a contract , ” Teresa replied . “ If I break it , I have to pay a penalty . ”
Jonathan nodded . “ I’ll pay the penalty for you . Don’t worry
about it . ”
Teresa was quiet for a few seconds . “ No , that’s okay . I can pay it myself , and I’ll handle the resignation on my own .”
“ I’ll go with you , ” Jonathan said , walking right beside her .
A bittersweet warmth welled up in Teresa’s heart . She couldn’t quite put the feeling into words .
They headed to the office first . Tina and Ivy were both there . Ivy had met Jonathan before , but seeing him walk in with Teresa still left her stunned . “ Ms. Johnston , who’s this handsome guy ? ”
“ This is my ex – husband , ” Teresa introduced Jonathan .
“ You told me before you didn’t know him . Teresa , you’ve been hiding things from us , huh ? And that little boy you always drop off at kindergarten is your son , right ? ”
Jonathan asked , “ What boy ? ”
Ivy said without thinking , “ I always see Teresa taking a little boy to kindergarten . ”
Teresa stayed calm and looked at Jonathan . “ She’s talking about Mike . ”
Jonathan didn’t think much of it . “ That’s our friend’s kid . ”
Ivy just went , “ Oh , got it , ” and immediately changed the subject . “ So , handsome , you’re rich and good – looking . Why did you and Teres et divorced ? Were you cheating or something ? ”
Jonathan glanced at Teresa , waiting for her to answer .
But Teresa just frowned and didn’t say anything about her and Jonathan . Instead , she said , “ I’m quitting . ”
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“ What ? You’re quitting ? Why would you quit ? ” ivy blurted out , totally clueless about what happened with Lysander .
“ If you’re quitting , you need to tell Lysander , but he’s not here today . ” Tina chimed in .
“ I’ll just talk to the vice principal later , ” Teresa replied .
“ Ms. Thompson , thanks for letting my ex – husband know yesterday , ” Teresa said . Otherwise , it would’ve been hard for her to get away from Lysander on her own .
Tina shook her head and , right in front of Jonathan , said on purpose , “ Come on , we’re good friends . No need to thank me .”
Teresa went to the vice principal’s office with Jonathan by her side , helping as the vice principal processed her resignation .
When Jonathan saw that she’d signed a three – year contract , he frowned deeply . “ Three years ? You were really planning to live here by yourself for three years ? ”
“ That was the plan , ” Teresa admitted . It worked out for Michael to go to kindergarten here , and after three years , he’d be ready for elementary school , Maybe they’d leave Everport then . Besides , most contracts like this start at three years anyway .
Jonathan could hardly believe her . “ What on earth goes through your mind every day ? ”
Teresa shot him a look . “ I’m feeling pretty emotional right now . Don’t ruin my mood. ”
“ What’s there to be sad about ? ”
“ I still have to say goodbye to my class . Those kids have been really good to me . ”
Teresa taught Class 2 , Grade 3. She went in to say goodbye to the kids , while Jonathan waited outside , leaning casually against the corridor window .
The kids crowded around the window , peeking out at Jonathan and whispering among themselves .
“ Ms. Johnston , is that your boyfriend ? ” one of them asked , full of curiosity .
“ Or maybe he’s your husband ? Ms. Johnston , is he your boyfriend or your husband ? ” another piped up , eager for gossip .
“ He’s so tall and handsome ! If you’re a princess , then he must be your prince ! ” a little girl said, eyes shining .
Teresa almost laughed . She thought they were just two regular people in real life .
She turned to the class and said warmly , “ Thank you . I’ve enjoyed being your teacher . I have some family matters to take care of , so I won’t be able to keep teaching you . I hope you all study hard and grow up healthy and strong . ”
“ Aw … ” The kids were caught off guard by her sudden announcement , and none of them wanted her to leave .
That little girl who’d come to school sick but still insisted on studying looked the most upset . Teresa had sent her to the nurse’s office to rest , and her mom had even made a fuss .
She cried the hardest , and not caring about the whole class watching , she ran up to the front and hugged Teresa tightly .
Teresa gently patted her head and wiped away her tears . “ Don’t cry . We’ll see each other again , okay ? ”
Only then did the girl reluctantly let go , her eyes still brimming with tears . She whispered , “ Ms. Johnston , I’ve kept that secret you asked me to keep . ”
Teresa suddenly remembered and nodded . “ Thank you . ”
The girl glanced out the window at Jonathan , who was quietly waiting for Teresa . She looked like she wanted to say something , but held back at the last
second .
After class , when Teresa left the classroom , the girl hurried after her, calling out , “ Ms. Johnston , please wait ! ”
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Teresa and Jonathan turned around .
Teresa asked , “ Is something wrong ? ”
Seeing Jonathan nearby , the girl said , “ Sir , could you give us a moment ? I want to talk to Ms. Johnston alone . ”
Jonathan didn’t say anything , just glanced at Teresa , then walked to the end of the hallway , giving the kid her space .
Only then did the girl turn to Teresa and ask , “ Ms. Johnston , is he your husband ? ”
Teresa almost said “ ex – husband , ” but worried a third grader wouldn’t get it . She didn’t want her own failed marriage to mess with the girl’s view of relationships , so she just said , “ Yes , he’s my husband . ”
“ Oh , I get it , Ms. Johnston ! You’re quitting because your husband came to find you , right ? Are you leaving with your family ? ”
Teresa didn’t know how to answer , so she nodded . She told her to study hard , love herself , and not let her parents guilt – trip her . Teresa had been pressured by her family , and by the time she realized it , it was already too late .