Chapter 433

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Jennifer and Donald had gotten engaged at the start of the month , with both fantilies ‘ elders there for the occasion . Teresa was at the ceremony too he even joined Jonathan and his grandpa for a family photo , which was still sitting at home .
Teresa rubbed her aching temples . She and Jonathan had already agreed that he would come back tomorrow .
Michael’s birthday was the day after tomorrow . Teresa had promised Michael that Jonathan would be there to celebrate with him – she couldn’t bear to see Michael disappointed .
That afternoon , Donald suddenly showed up to see Teresa just as she was about to get off work . He pulled out a bank card and handed it to her . “ There’s 400 thousand dollars on here . ”
Teresa looked at him , confused .
Donald finally explained , “ Jennifer only told me today that her mom owes a lot of money . Jennifer wanted to sell the place at Newuze Garden .
“ Turns out , someone in my department was looking to buy a place there , so I sold it to him . This is the money from the sale . ”
“ I can’t take this , ” Teresa said . “ That money was supposed to be from your parents so you could buy yourself a car . Otherwise , you wouldn’t still be driving that A7 . You could’ve at least gotten an A8 , or even a Range Rover . ”
“ My car’s fine . Jennifer and I are family now ; her problems are my problems . There’s no way I could just stand by and do nothing . She acts like she doesn’t care about her mom , but honestly , she cares more than anyone . ”
But Teresa didn’t buy it . “ She’s not exactly soft – hearted , ” she said , thinking of how Jennifer wanted to get rid of Donald’s child without even talking it
over .
At this point , Teresa honestly didn’t know if Jennifer had already gone through with the abortion on her own . She looked at Donald with a bit more sympathy – what if Jennifer had already done it ?
Donald noticed something was off and looked a bit puzzled . “ Teresa , what’s wrong ? Do I have something on my face ? ”
Teresa shot back , “ Do you really love her ? ”
Donald gave a helpless smile . “ Jennifer’s asked me that , too . She’s always worried I’ll leave her . I know she’s really sensitive . Her family background left her with a lot of insecurity .”
Teresa replied , “ Honestly , she seems pretty secure to me . If anything , she’s the one making everyone else feel on edge . ”
Donald frowned , “ Teresa , do you have some kind of issue with Jennifer ? ” He could hear the bite in her words .
Hearing that , Teresa didn’t want to say more . For one , it was between her and Jennifer . For another , even if she explained , Donald would probably just think she was being petty or trying to stir things up , not worth the trouble .
She changed the subject . “ So , when are you two getting your marriage license ? And the wedding ? ”
Donald finally answered , “ We’re planning to register on August 4th . ”
Teresa frowned , “ If you really want to be with her , why not just get your marriage license today ? Why wait ? ”
Donald grinned . “ She likes that date . What’s up , Teresa ? Got something you can’t say ? Don’t worry ; I won’t tell Jennifer . ”
Even with Donald saying that , Teresa still didn’t buy it . “ I really can’t take this money . Take it back , please . You and Jennifer don’t need to worry about
it . ”
“ No way . Jennifer insisted I bring it . If you don’t take it , she’ll totally chew me out when I get home . ”
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“ Then why not give it to Cheryl ? ” Teresa said helplessly . “ I haven’t seen her in ages. I wonder if she’s doing okay out there . ”
Teresa left it at that , but Donald just smiled , totally unfazed , “ Cheryl really hasn’t been back to Nareigh in a long time , but she said she’ll be home this
weekend . ”
Teresa froze , thinking . ‘ Cheryl is actually coming back ? She really dares to show up ? Is she coming alone , or bringing Serena with her ? ”
Teresa didn’t want to ask . She’d already given Cheryl money before . “ Just take the card back , Donald , I’ll talk to Jennifer myself , so you don’t have to get stuck in the middle . ”
“ You have to take it , Teresa . I’m out . ” Donald set the card on the table and walked out without another word .
Teresa was left speechless , feeling even more conflicted .
As night fell , a Porsche slowly pulled up to the entrance of the Lynn residence . Teresa had spent a long time at the office thinking things through .
She didn’t want to mess up Donald and Jennifer’s wedding , but she also hoped Michael could celebrate his birthday with Jonathan , and that Jonathan could spend more time with Michael .
The only way to fix this , she realized , was through Irene . If Irene could accept Michael first , then she wouldn’t take her anger out on Jennifer and Donald . That way , Jennifer and Donald could get their marriage license and have their wedding without any trouble .
This was the first time Teresa had ever taken the initiative to come see Irene . She sat in the car , taking deep breaths to steady herself , her slender fingers trembling with nerves .
She was just about to get out and grab the gift she’d prepared for Irene from the trunk . A Porsche – same model , different color – pulled up right in front of Teresa .
The door opened , and a dainty woman helped Irene out , her smile so bright it nearly reached her eyes .
Teresa narrowed her eyes . This woman looked a bit familiar .
The woman had already spotted Teresa , and Irene was staring too , her face darkening , a chill settling in her gaze .
Teresa got out of the car and walked over to Irene . “ Mrs. Lynn , ” she greeted .
Irene looked surprised . “ You came to see me ? ”
“ I actually- ” Teresa started to say .
“ Hello , Ms. Johnston ! ” the woman suddenly cut in , her eyes full of envy as she took in Teresa’s glowing skin and those sparkling eyes . She hated the truth that Jonathan couldn’t get Teresa out of his head .
The woman added , “ Hi , I haven’t introduced myself yet . I’m Winnie . My brother is Chase . You might know him . In Shaville , I saw Mr. Lynn with you . ”
That was when Teresa remembered why Winnie looked so familiar . Winnie was the one who’d followed Jonathan’s car all the way to the mistook her for Jonathan’s girlfriend .
Teresa
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Irene looked at Winnie , puzzled . “ Winnie , what are you saying ? Did Jonathan really take her to Shaville ? ”
Teresa admitted , “ Yes , I did go to Shaville with Jonathan . ”
Irene’s expression soured dramatically in an instant . Turning to Winnie , she said , “ Winnie , you should leave first . I have a few words to say to my shameless ex – daughter – in – law in private . ”
As soon as Winnie left , Irene’s face turned stormy . She gritted her teeth and immediately turned on Teresa . “ Why are you still hanging around my son ?
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“ Can’t you live without him , or are you just after his money ? Trying to get back together so you can get your hands on the family fortune ? ”
“ I owe Jonathan money . I only went to Shaville for business because I wanted to pay him back as soon as possible , ” Teresa explained .
“ Haven’t you already taken enough from him ? ” Irene’s chest heaved as she glared at Teresa . Looking at Teresa’s face brought back memories of her own past – how a rich girl almost ruined her happiness . That woman was still hiding out in Shaville , too scared to come back to Nareigh
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