Chapter 367

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Once Donald and Jennifer were back on the road , Donald suddenly spoke up while driving . “ You mentioned an ex’s kid earlier . That child should be about three now , right ? Jonathan and Teresa have been divorced for over three years . ”
Jennifer’s fingers tightened , and she shot Donald a glare . “ My sister’s just like me . We’d never have a kid with an ex . Stop letting your imagination run wild . ”
At a red light , Donald glanced over at her . “ Ex ? Didn’t you say I was your first love ? Are you hiding some ex from me ? ”
Jennifer stayed calm . “ It was just an example . Don’t go making up stories in your head . ”
She quickly changed the subject . “ Oh , by the way , I called my college friend from Shaville . He’s coming to Nareigh for my engagement party ”
“ A guy ? ” Donald asked .
“ Yeah , ” Jonathan replied .
“ I remember you mentioned him before . What’s his name again ? ” Donald tried to recall .
If it hadn’t been for Donald’s car accident back then , Jennifer probably would’ve already moved to Shaville to work with that friend .
“ Sanford , ” Jennifer replied .
Donald grinned , a bit jealous . “ Is he good – looking ? More handsome than me ? Let me see a photo . I haven’t met him yet . ”
Jennifer pulled up a recent photo from his Facebook and handed her phone to Donald .
Donald only meant to take a quick look , but then he frowned , “ This guy kind of looks like
my dad . ”
“ Really ? ” Jennifer leaned in for a closer look . She’d only
met Donald’s dad a few times , but now that she paid attention , there was a bit of a resemblance .
Donald joked , “ I trust my dad . He’s not that kind of guy . No way Sanford’s his secret son or anything . ”
Jennifer laughed , “ The world’s full of surprises .”
“ Seriously , ” Donald said with a chuckle . “ The more I look , the more that little kid looks like Jonathan . ”
Jennifer nudged his shoulder . “ Alright , that’s enough . Now you’re just being ridiculous . ”
Donald shrugged . “ Maybe I’m just overthinking it . ”
The next day , Teresa was at home when she suddenly got a call from Evelyn . Evelyn told her that she and Isabel had just arrived in Nareigh .
“ What ? ” exclaimed Teresa .
“ It was your sister’s boyfriend . He had Jonathan give him my address in Fernlandia . That’s when I found out he’s Jonathan’s cou sister’s marrying him , ” Evelyn said .
“ Oh . ” Teresa’s response was icy . Evelyn frowned , clearly annoyed by her attitude .
d now your
She said , “ It’s one thing if your sister complains about me . I know I owe her from when she was little . But you ? I have no idea what you’re thinking , just running off to Fernlandia without a word .
“ Now your sister’s getting married , and all this time you never even told me her fiancé is Jonathan’s cousin . By the way , what’s his mom like ? She’s not as bad as your ex – mother – in – law , is she ? ”
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“ Ask her yourself . I don’t want anything to do with you or Jennifer anymore . As long as you’re happy , that’s all that matters With that , Teresa hung up
Back when Teresa married Jonathan , Evelyn couldn’t have cared less . She never even bothered to ask what her in – laws were like or if they’d get along
But now , for Jennifer’s engagement – just the engagement , not even the wedding – Evelyn rushed back right away . Teresa didn’t want to say anything more , but her eyes still stung with tears .
In the early evening , Evelyn stood outside Rosary Estates , holding Isabel in her arms , suitcase by her side , already downstairs from Teresa’s apartment complex .
Evelyn couldn’t remember which unit Teresa lived in , and no matter how many times she called , Teresa just wouldn’t pick up . Alone , dragging her suitcase and carrying a child , she stood in the chilly courtyard , dressed far too lightly for the weather .
It was Michael who spotted them first , leaning over the balcony . “ Mom , Grandma and Aunt Isabel are downstairs ! They’re back ! Come look ! ”
Teresa’s heart sank at the sight of Evelyn and Isabel waiting downstairs with all their things . Annoyed , she hurried Michael back to his room . “ Don’t worry
about them . ”
Downstairs , the neighbors had already started whispering .
“ Who’s that woman standing there with a kid ? ”
“ Tsk , her kids are really heartless . Just leaving her out here ? ”
“ It’s freezing tonight . She’s going to catch a cold if she stays out much longer . ”
“ Yeah , and she’s got a child with her . They should get inside before the kid gets sick . ”
Isabel’s nose was already running . Teresa couldn’t hold back anymore . She grabbed a jacket and stomped downstairs .
Teresa tossed the jacket at Evelyn , barely looking at her . “ Put this on Isabel . ”
Evelyn finally put her phone away , freeing up a hand to poke Teresa’s forehead . “ You little brat , I called you so many times and you didn’t answer . ”
“ Why should I ? Go find Hannah . She’s the one getting married , not me . Why are you here looking for me ? ” Teresa shot back .
“ I can’t get in touch with your sister at all . As soon as I heard she was , marrying Jonathan’s cousin , I rushed back , ” Evelyn said .
“ Oh , so you only care about her ? What about me ? Have you ever asked how I’m doing ? She’s your daughter , but I’m not ? ” Teresa couldn’t hold back her
resentment .
Evelyn just waved her off . “ Aren’t you doing fine here in Nareigh ? You even look like you’ve put on some weight . ”
“ I’ve only been back in Nareigh a few days . I left Fernlandia months ago and have been drifting around ever since , ” Teresa replied .
“ So where did you go ? Anyway , let us in . It’s freezing out here . We can talk inside , ” Evelyn pleaded .
But Teresa’s tone was icy . She was determined to be as distant as Hannah . “ I’ll book a hotel room for you two . You’re not staying here . ”
Evelyn blurted , “ What ? Isn’t there space here at Rosary Estates ? You- ”
“ This is my home . Mine and Michael’s . I don’t want anyone else here , ” interrupted Teresa .
That stung . Evelyn’s face fell . “ Fine , it’s not like don’t have anywhere else to go . With that attitude , no wonder you ended up divorced . I really give up on you . ”
With that , Evelyn grabbed her suitcase and walked off with Isabel .
Teresa took a deep breath . In the past , she would’ve stopped her mom . She did feel bad , but this time , she just couldn’t bring herself to do it .
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When they got home , Michael , who had seen what happened downstairs , asked , “ Mom , where did Grandma and Aunt Isabel go ? ”
Teresa explained , “ They’re staying at a hotel tonight . They’re not staying with us . There just isn’t enough space for four people here ”
Michael looked up at her . “ But Mom , are hotels even open this late ? ”
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“ Of course . Nareigh has plenty of hotels , so there’s nothing to worry about . Come on , let’s get ready for bed . This is our home , remember ? ” said Teresa .
Teresa gently nudged the little guy into his room , and only then did he nod .
Once he was asleep , Teresa pulled out her phone , took Jennifer off her WhatsApp block list , and sent her a message .
Teresa wrote : [ Evelyn is back for your wedding . She and Isabel are staying at a hotel . If you want to see her , you’ll have to reach out yourself . ]
After sending the message , Teresa didn’t give it another thought . She pulled the covers over herself and went to sleep .
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