Chapter 441

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Teresa handed a glass of water to Cheryl and glanced at Serena , who was sitting on the couch . “ How’d you get here ? ”
“ Me ? ” Cheryl blinked . “ Of course I took a cab . I can’t drive , and I don’t even own a car . ”
“ You came all the way from Lonisburg ? What do you need from me ? ” Teresa asked .
Cheryl grinned . “ Teresa , I have to go home today . My parents have been nagging me forever , but I can’t exactly show up with my daughter . So I’m begging you to watch her for me . ”
Teresa sighed , shaking her head with a mix of disbelief and resignation . “ I thought you were finally going to bring her home and face the music .
“ Like I’d ever have the guts , ” Cheryl said , looking pitiful . “ My parents would kill me . ”
“ So you come running to me ? ” Teresa said . “ Last time I gave you over 20 thousand . I’ve done my part . And I’m not even Jonathan’s wife anymore . If you need help with your kid , shouldn’t you be asking Jennifer ? ”
Just the mention of Jennifer made Cheryl fume . “ When I had Serena , she wouldn’t even stick around for a few days . She left me in the hospital and just walked off , telling me to handle my own problems . I can’t even begin to understand her . ”
Cheryl downed her water and slammed the glass down on the table . “ If I leave Serena with Jennifer , who knows if she’ll even take care of Serena properly ? No way . I don’t get what Donald sees in her . I seriously regret setting them up . ”
“ I have to look after Mike , and I’ve got work to do . I don’t have the energy to babysit little Serena for you , ” Teresa said , shaking her head .
After all , kids at this age were always a handful — crying , fussing , and needing their diapers changed constantly . There was never a moment’s peace .
Cheryl pressed her hands together , begging , “ Teresa , please . You’re so kind and amazing , the best . For keeping Mike’s secret all this time , can’t you just help me out and watch Serena for half a day ? I promise I’ll be back before dark to pick her up . ”
Teresa pressed her lips together , hesitating .
Seeing Teresa waver , Cheryl immediately clung to her arm and , with a mischievous grin , reached out to poke her chest .
Teresa rolled her eyes and brushed Cheryl’s hand away . “ Show some respect , will you ? ”
Clutching her hand , Cheryl pouted dramatically . “ So you’re really going to leave us out in the cold ? Fine , I’ll just leave with Serena . Poor us – nobody
wants us … ”
“ Haven’t found Serena’s dad yet ? ” Teresa asked .
Cheryl shook her head . “ That jerk – slept with me and never even bothered to check in . I’ve made up my mind . I’ll raise my daughter on my own and just pretend he’s dead . ”
Teresa gave Cheryl a thumbs – up . “ That’s the spirit . Keep it up . ”
“ Wait … Teresa , are you praising me or making fun of me ? How can you treat me like this ? Back when you married Jonathan , I was our bridesmaid . And now you’re just leaving me hanging , ” Cheryl said .
Suddenly , she heard her phone ring and began frantically searching through her pockets .
But the ringtone wasn’t coming from her phone but from Teresa’s . When Teresa saw the caller ID , her heart skipped a beat — it was Benny , as expected . She held up a hand to silence Cheryl , answered the call , and stepped into the bedroom to talk .
Benny’s voice came through . “ You’re home / right ? My client gave me some organic superfoods . I don’t really need this stuff and thought I’d bring it over for you .”
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Teresa replied , “ I already have plenty at home , I can’t finish them all . Why don’t you
give them to Miriam ? ”
Benny laughed , “ Come on , I’m way closer to you than to Miriam . Whenever I get something good , you’re the first person I think of , you know ? Besides
a cup of coffee . ” I’m already at your door . At least let me in for
Teresa gritted her teeth in frustration . ‘ Nice one , Benny – showing up this early in the morning . You must have figured there’s no way I wouldn’t be home at this hour .’
Just then , a baby’s cry drifted through the door , faint but unmistakable . Teresa quickly covered the phone’s mic , but Benny had already heard it . He asked , “ Why do I hear a baby crying ? ”
Teresa replied , “ No , you must’ve misheard . ”
“ No way , there’s definitely a baby kid there with you . ”
“ Cheryl’s here , ” Teresa said quickly , thinking on her feet . “ I’ll send her down .
You can give the stuff to her . ”
“ What ? ” Benny was caught off guard for a second .
“ That’s settled then , ” Teresa said , hanging up before he could say more .
Then she opened the door and saw Cheryl cradling Serena , rocking her gently . Cheryl apologized , looking flustered , “ I’m so sorry , Teresa . I didn’t mean for this to happen . She must have wet herself , and that’s why she’s crying . I’ll go change her diaper right away . ”
“ Wait up . ” Teresa grabbed Cheryl’s hand . “ I’ll take care of her – just hurry downstairs . Benny’s coming over . He heard Serena crying earlier and thinks I’m hiding a baby here . ”
Cheryl caught on right away . “ Benny just won’t give up , huh ? Fine , you look after Serena , and I’ll go deal with him . ”
“ Yeah , just watch what you say , okay ? ”
Cheryl nodded and headed downstairs .
Then Teresa went to change Serena’s diaper .
With a fresh diaper , Serena was all comfy , kicking her legs and grinning up at Teresa . Teresa couldn’t help but smile back . Even though Serena was still tiny , it was clear she had Cheryl’s eyes .
“ Mom , who was crying just now ? ” Michael shuffled over in his muffin pajamas , rubbing his eyes .
“ Oh , you’re awake . Did the noise wake you up ? ”
Michael dropped his hands , spotted Serena on the bed , and instantly perked up . He hurried over . “ Mom , did you secretly have a baby sister for me ? ”
“ No , silly , that’s your Aunt Cheryl’s baby . ”
“ Wow , Aunt Cheryl had a baby ! ” Michael squatted down , cupping his face as he stared at Serena . “ But Aunt Cheryl promised get me a puppy . ”
Teresa grinned . “ Luckily she isn’t here , or you’ll be introuble . ”
Michael reached out and gently poked Serena’s cheek , and then his own , looking a little put out . “ Mom , her skin feels better than mine . ”
Teresa was once again amused by his innocent words .
Cheryl hopped right into the passenger seat next to Benny , pulled a cactus toy out of her bag , and handed it over . “ Here , Benny , try this out . Just press it and it’ll wiggle and make noise . ”
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Benny gave it a press , and the cactus started squeaking and squirming . Cheryl grinned . “ Pretty funny , right ? Doesn’t it sound just like a baby crying ? ”
Benny raised an eyebrow , studying her face . “ Trying to distract me , huh ? ”
Cheryl blinked as if she knew nothing at all . “ What are you talking about ? ”
Benny unbuckled his seatbelt . “ Wait here . I’m going to see Teresa for a minute . ”
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