Chapter 442

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Cheryl grabbed Benny’s arm . “ Why do you have to see Teresa ? Aren’t you Jonathan’s friend? Are you trying to steal his girl ? ”
“ If you think so . Whatever ,” Benny said , not bothering to explain . He still wanted to go check out Teresa’s place .
Right then , Cheryl wrapped her arms around Benny’s neck and started to whine , “ You can’t go . I can’t let you mess up Jonathan and Teresa’s relationship . You can’t go after your friend’s woman ! ”
Benny sucked in a breath and turned to look at Cheryl , who was clinging to him for dear life . “ Then tell me , is there a baby at Teresa’s place ? I heard a baby crying just now . ”
“ Huh ? ” Cheryl blinked . “ Oh , you mean the crying ? That’s just this . ” She pressed the cactus toy again , and it let out another wailing sound .
“ You really think I’m that easy to fool ? Fine , it’s the toy’s sound . But why were you at Teresa’s place so early ? Arid why did she send you down to meet me ? You two are definitely up to something . ”
“ Benny , you’re overthinking it . I borrowed some money from Teresa before , and I just came to pay her back . Oh , I need to go home , but I can’t drive . Can you give me a ride ? ”
Benny still looked suspicious .
Cheryl bit her lip . “ You seriously think Teresa had a baby ? That’s ridiculous . Women are pregnant for ten months – did you ever see Teresa with a big belly ? ”
That made Benny frown . If Teresa really had a kid , by the timeline , she would’ve given birth when she was with Nareigh . But that seemed impossible .
Seeing Benny start to waver , Cheryl quickly added , “ I swear , you’re totally wrong about this . ”
Benny didn’t move and just glanced up at Teresa’s room .
Suddenly , Benny felt his cheek heat up . He froze and then turned to see Cheryl , face bright red , giving him a quick kiss .
She said , “ Come on , just drive me home , okay ? Stop trying to hit on Teresa . There are plenty of good women out there – don’t go after your friend’s
woman . ”
Benny didn’t say a word . The next second , he suddenly leaned over lowered Cheryl’s seat , and pinned her underneath him .
With his face so close , Cheryl’s heart started pounding . “ W – what are you doing ? ”
With a click , Benny buckled her seatbelt and stared at her . “ Men in their thirties are dangerous , you know . Don’t pull this again , or next time I won’t go easy just because of Jonathan . ”
Cheryl was somehow startled and nodded blankly .
Only then did Benny sit up straight , start the car , and make a U – turn . “ Hey , why do you smell like milk ? ”
“ I- ” Cheryl clutched at her shirt . “ I just really like drinking milk , okay ? ”
Benny shot her a look and thought , ‘ She really can’t handle a little flirting . ‘
He joked , “ I have a cousin who’s into girls like you . Want me to set you up ? ”
Cheryl shook her head . “ No , thanks . I’m just not feeling guys right now . ”
Benny grinned . “ So , there’s already someone , huh ?”
Cheryl’s mind was full of Nareigh . She nodded quickly . “ Something like that . ”
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Benny didn’t press further .
When they got to the Lynn residence , Cheryl said goodbye and invited Benny in , but he declined .
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Cheryl came home , ready to face the music .
Cathy looked at her , clearly exasperated . “ Donald got engaged and you didn’t even bother to come back . You missed so many family dinners . Are you just never coming home again ? ”
“ Sorry , Mom , Dad ,” Cheryl said softly , her gaze dropping to the floor as she fidgeted with her fingers . “ I know I messed up . But I’m here now . ”
Werner sighed and stepped in , “ Come on , let’s not be too hard on her . Look at her – she looks like she’s been through a lot .”
Cathy snorted . “ Through a lot ? She looks like she’s put on a few pounds . ”
Cheryl quickly changed the subject , hoping to deflect any further scrutiny . “ Hey , where’s Donald ? I haven’t seen him in ages .”
“ He and Jennifer went to get their marriage certificate , ” Cathy replied .
“ Wait , what ? ”
While her family was distracted , Cheryl slipped away to the corner and pulled out her phone . She quickly texted Teresa , letting her know that the Benny situation was sorted out and that Donald and Jennifer had just gone to get married .
She added : [ Mom said they were supposed to get their certificate on July 7th , but Jennifer wanted to do it earlier . Today’s the 26th , a Friday – if they didn’t do it today , they’d have to wait until next Monday . ]
Teresa didn’t respond but thought , ‘ Michael has just had his birthday yesterday , and now Jennifer’s getting married ? Did she really go through with it ? Well , whatever . I don’t even feel like asking . ‘
An hour after Cheryl finished talking , Teresa scrolled through her Facebook feed and saw Donald’s post : [ Let’s make this official ] .
The post showed their marriage certificates and a photo of Donald and Jennifer holding hands , with the location tagged as the Nareigh’s city hall .
Teresa had been there twice before – she knew it well . She just hadn’t expected Donald and Jennifer to show up there so suddenly .
Teresa opened the window . The sky outside was a bit gray , but there was no thunder or rain . She closed the window again .
After Donald announced their marriage on Facebook , Cathy , Evelyn, and some colleagues from the company all liked it . Jennifer could also see these
names .
Donald handed his phone to Jennifer and said , “ Teresa hasn’t liked it . ”
Jennifer replied , “ Maybe she just hasn’t seen it yet .”
Donald nodded . “ I didn’t set any privacy groups – it’s public . Teresa hasn’t blocked me , so she can definitely see it . Don’t worry . ”
As he spoke , he squeezed Jennifer’s hand and kissed the back of it . “ Jennifer , you’re finally my wife . No one can ever come between us again . I’m just so happy today . ”
Jennifer let Donald hold her hand . She lowered her head and glanced at her belly , where their baby was just starting to grow . “ Donald , I …”
“ What is it ? Go ahead , ” he prompted .
Just then , his phone rang . Donald gestured for Jennifer to wait a moment – it was Cathy calling to ask if they’d gotten their marriage certificate and when
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they were coming home for dinner .
“ Mom , Jennifer and I are already on our way back , ” he replied .
“ Your sister and grandpa are back too . We’re all having dinner together tonight to celebrate ,” Cathy said .
“ Sounds great , ” Donald said , hanging up .
He turned to Jennifer , puzzled . “ What were you about to tell me just now ? ”
Jennifer had overheard the conversation . She shook her head and quickly asked , “ Cheryl’s back ? Did she bring someone home ? ”
Donald chuckled , “ Who else would she come home with ? If she ever started dating , she’d be the first to tell me .”
AD