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Rain soaked Jennifer’s hair . She sat alone in the garden pavilion , her slim fingers gripping the railing .
Teresa’s words echoed in her mind like needles stabbing her heart , hurting so much that she struggled to breathe .
She should have argued with Teresa . She wasn’t that kind of sister . She came back to Nareigh hoping they could live well , be happy , and escape their painful family past . She didn’t only want happiness for herself .
She wanted Teresa to know that .
She held her head in both hands , her shoulders trembling a little .
Her phone rang several times before she noticed .
Donald asked if he should pick her up from the hotel to the wedding site .
He’d booked a fancy five – star hotel close to his parents ‘ place , about twenty minutes away by car . From there , he’d drive her to his home .
“ Okay , the hotel sounds good , ” Jennifer said , feeling low .
“ Jennifer , are you okay ? ” Donald asked , worried .
“ I’m fine . ” Jennifer touched her forehead . “ I’m not home now . I’ll be back soon . ”
“ I’ll come get you . Where are you ? ” Donald asked .
“ No need . ” Jennifer rubbed her brow . “ I can drive myself back . ”
Hearing that , Donald just said okay .
He sent a message to Jonathan , thanking him .
Jonathan reached out asking where to pick up the bride .
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Donald told the truth . He planned to pick her up at Teresa’s place in Rosary Estates because no other house was available .
Jonathan suggested Donald talk to Jennifer , saying it wasn’t necessary to start from Teresa’s house . A hotel is also a good choice .
“ I talked to Jennifer . She agreed . How much was the hotel ? I’ll pay you back ,” Donald said .
“ No need , ” Jonathan replied , not wanting money .
Night fell deep . Teresa sat alone in her room , staring out at the light rain , wondering if it’d keep raining tomorrow .
“ Teresa , ” Cheryl knocked softly and peeked in , her clear eyes smiling . “ Can I use the cream on your vanity ? ”
“ Sure , ” Teresa said .
“ I knew you’d be the most generous , ” Cheryl said happily .
She hopped over to the vanity . Teresa had tons of cosmetics and skincare , all expensive brands . One cream alone cost over 3 thousand dollars .
“ Teresa , now I get why you can’t save money , ” Cheryl said , bouncing back . “ You live so lavishly . ”
Teresa ignored her .
Seeing Teresa holding her phone , practicing singing , Cheryl blinked . “ Are you singing tomorrow ? ”
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“ Kind of , ” Teresa said , wearing headphones .
“ Well , you gotta do your best . I’ll be your biggest fan . Can I use one of your caviar essence masks ? ” Cheryl asked .
Teresa didn’t catch that clearly and gave Cheryl a quick look . “ Go ahead and use it ,” she said .
“ Okay , love you . ” Cheryl bounced off happily .
That’s how the whole night
Early the next morning , Teresa woke up and checked the clock . It wasn’t even five yet .
The rain had stopped , but the sky was still gray and a bit foggy .
Michael was up super early too . The little guy knew Teresa was heading to a party .
“ Take me with you ! I wanna go too , ” Michael said .
“ It’s not that I don’t wanna take you , but it’s Jennifer and Donald’s wedding . They said no kids allowed ,” Teresa smoothly lied .
Cheryl backed her up . “ Yeah , Michael , no kids allowed . Look , I’m not bringing Serena . ”
She hired a top – notch nanny for the day to watch Serena . Once the nanny showed up , Cheryl would leave .
Michael didn’t buy it and threw a fit on the floor . “ Please take me ! I wanna go to a party . I’ve been alive forever and never been to one . I’m the saddest kid ever . ”
Cheryl gave a thumbs – up . “ Teresa , Michael’s awesome . He can roll on the floor and spin at the same time . ”
Teresa sighed and pulled him up . “ Next time , I’ll take you to a party , okay ? ”
“ You say that every time . When’s next time ? ” Michael sniffled , his long lashes still wet with tears .
“ When Aunt Cheryl gets married , I promise I’ll take you , ” Teresa said , glancing at Cheryl .
Cheryl looked clueless and pointed at herself , thinking Teresa was just feeding Michael empty promises .
Michael didn’t let up . “ When’s Aunt Cheryl getting married ? ”
Cheryl shrugged , “ As soon as I can . ”
Michael put his hands on his hips . “ How soon is ‘ as soon as you can ‘ ? Mom , Aunt Cheryl , you gotta tell me . ”
The kid wasn’t fooled anymore . Teresa had to soothe him for a while . He rubbed his eyes and finally nodded , still reluctant .
“ Mom , you gotta bring me crab , lobster , braised short ribs , roast beef . I saw on my phone all the grown – ups at parties eat the big plates , ” Michael said .
Teresa felt a little sad , Just as she was about to hand Michael off to the nanny , Sherry called like a lifesaver .
Sherry was back in Nareigh and had something to tell Teresa .
She’d heard from Miriam about Teresa’s sister’s wedding . Teresa stepped into the room and talked briefly with Sherry .
Sherry got the hint . “ Okay , I’ll come by later . I’ll take Michael straight to the hotel . No need to come with you to pick up the bride .”
“ No rush . Just take him to the hotel around noon . There are over thirty tables . You can sit anywhere with strangers , ” Teresa said .
“ Got it ,” Sherry said , understanding . After all , this was Teresa’s sister’s big wedding . She couldn’t mess this up . Then she hung up .
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Teresa told Michael Sherry would come for him and he could go to the party .
“ Really ? I get to go now ? ” Michael asked , excited .
“ If you behave and don’t run off , Sherry will take you , ” Teresa said .
“ Yes , ma’am , ” he smiled through his tears .
Teresa patted his head and reminded him a few more times . When the nanny arrived , Cheryl and Teresa left .
Miriam and the other bridesmaids were already busy at the hotel . Miriam and Jennifer didn’t talk .
Jennifer was getting her makeup done , dressed in her white wedding gown . She sat in front of the mirror while the makeup artist put on her false lashes . When Teresa got there , Miriam complained , “ This hotel’s like a presidential suite . One night costs over ten thousand . I bet Jonathan picked this place .”
Teresa frowned when she heard Jonathan’s name .
The people coming to pick up the bride included the groomsmen and Donald’s family , his brothers and younger brothers .
Whether Jonathan would come , Teresa wasn’t sure .
“ He’s not coming ,” Jennifer opened her eyes and interrupted , “ Donald told me your ex won’t come to pick up the bride to avoid any awkwardness . ”