Chapter 373
Just as Teresa was about to take a sip , Jennifer snatched the glass right out of her hand . “ Teresa , are you out of your mind ? You have to drive later ”
“ It’s none of your business , ” Teresa muttered , frowning as she grabbed the glass back .
Hayden spoke up , “ Teresa , I know you mean well , but don’t drink . You have to drive . It’d be dangerous . ”
Teresa pressed her lips together , refusing to put the glass down . Jonathan , who’d been silent all night , finally stood up .
He poured two shots , raising one to Hayden . “ Grandpa , let me drink this for her . If anyone’s at fault , it’s me . Teresa never did anything wrong ”
He downed it in one go . Then , with the second glass , Jonathan turned to Teresa’s family . “ Evelyn , thanks for raising such a great daughter . I wouldn’t have met Teresa without you . Jennifer , Donald , I wish you guys a happy marriage . ”
He paused , looking at Teresa . “ Teresa , I hope things only get better for you . ”
He chugged down the shot of strong wine in one gulp . Among everyone here , only Hayden heaved a genuine sigh , brimming with regret and helplessness over their failed marriage .
After dinner , everyone said their goodbyes . Evelyn got into Teresa’s car , asking her to drop her off at the hotel .
“ Get in , ” Teresa said , pulling the car around . She hadn’t touched a drop , but Evelyn was already wasted .
“ Your sister found a good man . Why don’t you just do what Hayden said and get back with Jonathan ? He still cares about you , you know , ” Evelyn said .
Teresa spun the wheel with one hand . “ Mom , just drop it . ”
Evelyn mumbled , “ I just want you and your sister to be happy ; that’s all a mom wants .”
Teresa shot back , “ Do you really care about if I’m happy ? ”
“ How could you even say that ? Every mom wants the best for her daughter . If it weren’t for Irene … What does she think she is ? ” Evelyn’s voice faded as she dozed off , her snores softly filling the car .
Teresa kept driving , the stereo playing a gentle love song – the kind she used to love when she got married . She didn’t wake Evelyn up until they pulled up to the hotel .
She watched Evelyn enter the hotel before heading off to pick up Michael .
Michael was still mad that Teresa went to the dinner without him , so he didn’t speak to her the whole way home .
Once they got home , Teresa pulled out two big crabs . “ Look , I didn’t forget about you – I snuck these crabs out just for you .”
“ Wow , Mom , these crabs have huge claws . ” Michael’s eyes lit up .
“ You’ll have them tomorrow morning .”
Michael nodded , making up with Teresa right away . “ Mom , was the party fun ? When will you take me to one ? ”
“ Next time , ” Teresa replied , always quick to make big promises to Michael .
The next morning , Teresa suddenly had a stomachache . She wondered if it was something she ate yesterday , though she really hadn’t eaten much .
She went to the hospital for a checkup . She hadn’t booked with Jennifer , but Jennifer just happened to see her pulling into the parking lot and rushed over , insisting on doing the prenatal exam herself .
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Since it was all about the baby’s safety , Teresa nodded and agreed .
Jennifer scolded her , “ I saw you eating a bunch of seafood last night . ”
“ I didn’t even touch the crab , just had a little abalone , ” Teresa replied .
“ If I hadn’t stopped you , you would’ve had wine too . What about the baby ? Good thing I was there , ” Jennifer shot back .
Teresa frowned . “ Can you stop nagging me ? ”
Jennifer fell into silence .
After the checkup , everything looked good . The baby was healthy , and the ultrasound was even clearer than the last one they’d had in Everport . They could clearly see it was a boy .
Jennifer looked a little disappointed . “ I was hoping maybe it’d be a girl . ”
“ Doesn’t matter to me , ” Teresa said . “ I’ll love my child no matter what . ”
As Teresa was about to leave , Jennifer called out to her , “ From now on , come to me for all your checkups . Don’t go to anyone else – unless you’re ready to stop hiding this . ”
Teresa didn’t say anything .
Jennifer added , “ That baby is my nephew . I care about him more than any other doctor . ”
“ And you should also look out for Cheryl’s baby . She’s due this month . That’s a life , and she’s your boyfriend’s sister . You really should tell her family . I just can’t understand what you’re thinking, ” Teresa said .
Jennifer said , “ Because I don’t want to lose Donald . I’m not willing to risk even the slightest chance of losing him . ”