Chapter 420

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“ How am I supposed to know what Sanford meant ? I told you , he’s nuts , ” Teresa said .
“ Still not going to tell the truth , huh ? ” Jonathan pressed .
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“ I … ” Teresa closed her eyes . She knew if she didn’t explain now , Jonathan would definitely start digging , and he’d end up finding out about Michael .
After weighing her options , Teresa finally gave in . “ Alright , I guess I have to clear this up , or my reputation’s toast . Sanford was talking about my mom’s youngest daughter , Isabel .
“ My mom’s been busy lately , so she left the kid with me . That’s why Sanford thought Isabel was my daughter .”
Jonathan felt like something was still off . “ Why does everyone ask you to babysit ? First your coworker’s son , and now your mom’s kid . Doesn’t your mom know you can barely take care of yourself ? ”
“ So you’re saying my mom should’ve asked my sister , who’s a gynecologist , for help ? ” Teresa asked .
Jonathan did think so . After all , Evelyn didn’t just have Teresa as a daughter .
Teresa explained , “ My sister and my mom have never gotten along . My mom’s too scared to ask her for help . Even at my sister’s engagement party , my mom barely spoke to her . That’s why she could only come to me . ”
Jonathan’s thin lips pressed into a straight line .
Teresa continued , “ If you don’t believe me , I’ll call Isabel and Sanford over right now . We can clear this up face – to – face . I don’t want to get dragged into your mess – I haven’t done anything to either of you . ”
Jonathan frowned , “ I don’t even know Sanford . I have no idea why he came at me today .”
Just then , Teresa’s phone rang . Speak of the devil – Sanford was calling . She hung up , but he called again .
Teresa was about to decline the call again , but Jonathan spoke up beside her . “ Answer it . If you don’t , it’ll look like you’re hiding something .”
Teresa frowned and hit the answer button .
“ Where are you right now ? ” Sanford’s voice came through the phone .
Teresa cleared her throat . “ Just say what you need to say .”
“ Look , I already called your sister . I shouldn’t have let it slip about Isabel today . I’m so sorry . Now your ex is going to get suspicious , ” Sanford said .
Teresa cursed Sanford in her head , ‘ Can you just shut up already ? ‘
Sanford kept rambling , “ I really didn’t want to hurt you , or the kid- ”
“ That’s enough , ” Teresa cut him off and lowered her voice . “ Jonathan is right here .”
Sanford went silent .
Teresa said , “ It’s all a misunderstanding . Isabel isn’t my daughter at all . I’ll send you the address – come over now . That’s it . ” She hung up .
Jonathan’s face was unreadable . “ Sending him the address ? Why not just go straight to the hospital ? I want to see this so – called daughter of mine and do
a DNA test with her . ”
Teresa ignored him and quickly texted Jennifer , filling her in on what was happening .
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< = 82 % Jennifer headed to Rosary Estates and picked up Isabel , then drove her to the café near the hospital . Sanford followed shortly after . Teresa explained , “ Isabel’s not my daughter – she’s my mom’s child . ” Sanford scoffed , “ Your mom’s kid ? Come on , how old is your mom ? No way she could still have a baby . ” “ Plenty of celebrities have kids in their fifties . If my mom wanted to , why couldn’t she ? ” Teresa shot back . Sanford still didn’t buy it . He turned to Jennifer and asked , “ Is that true ? ” Jennifer hummed in response , her eyes carrying a hint of disappointment with him . Sanford licked his lips , stubborn . “ No way . I even did a DNA test . ” Jonathan finally spoke up . “ Where’s the DNA test report ? Mind if I take a look ? ” Sanford didn’t have it on him . Teresa said , “ There’s a DNA testing center right next door . Let’s just do another test . ” Sanford and Jonathan both agreed , and they handed over samples for testing . Sanford then called the friend who’d helped with the last DNA test . The friend said , “ Didn’t you just ask me to check if they were related and send you the result ? They are related . ” Sanford’s heart dropped , and he realized he’d messed up . Still not willing to give up , he asked Isabel , “ Is Teresa your mom or your sister ? ” Isabel was startled and burst into tears . Sanford fell silent – he didn’t want to lose face , especially in front of Jonathan . Still scared , Isabel looked at Jonathan through her tears and cried , “ He’s so handsome . I want a hug from him . ” Jennifer quickly scooped Isabel up and said to Jonathan , “ It’s just a misunderstanding . Since there’s nothing else , you – Teresa’s ex – should leave . The rest is our family’s business . ” Jonathan didn’t budge . “ Teresa might be pregnant with my child . I’m taking her for a checkup .” Jennifer shot Teresa a sharp look , as if asking , “ Did you tell Jonathan ? What’s wrong with you ? ” “ I’m not pregnant ! ” Teresa shouted at Jennifer irritably . Jennifer took a moment to compose herself , then turned to Jonathan . “ Why do you think Teresa might be pregnant with your child ? ” Jonathan replied , “ Last week in Strico , we- ” “ I’m not pregnant , ” Teresa cut him off . Jonathan stopped and glanced at Teresa , who looked stubborn as ever . Jennifer pretty much got the picture . She let out a sharp laugh and turned to Jonathan . “ I know Teresa . She’d never get pregnant with you . If y worried , I’ll do a check – up myself and send you the results . ” Jonathan went silent . Jennifer gave a slight smile . “ I’m a gynecologist . If Teresa is pregnant , I’ll tell you right away and make sure you take responsibility . After all , it’s a life we’re talking about . ” She added , “ And now that I’m Donald’s fiancée , that basically makes you my half – cousin . We’re all family here . ” rii , su may 419 Jonathan , out of respect for Donald , didn’t say another word . He turned and walked away . 82 % Once Jonathan left , Jennifer’s expression turned serious as she looked at Teresa , But she addressed Sanford first . “ You really let me down . You promised to keep the child a secret . Now , you broke my trust . ” “ Jennifer , I know I was too impulsive . I misunderstood – I thought he was just some jerk who abandoned his wife and kid . I was so angry . I did it to protect Teresa , ” Sanford said . Honestly , seeing Jonathan up close reminded him of his own childhood without a father , and his mother’s pain . He just couldn’t hold back from confronting Jonathan , almost hoping to see Jonathan get upset , as if that would make him feel better . After a while , Sanford snapped back to reality . “ Anyway , it really was my fault this time . It won’t happen again . ” Jennifer sighed . “ You should go . I want to talk to Teresa alone . ”