Chapter 578

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Cathy’s mind went blank with shock . Her phone slipped from her hand and hit her instep .
It felt like a hammer blow to her heart . Her mind went blank , her whole body numb , and only her fingers trembled .
Cathy managed to pick up the phone and put it back , and she leaned against the wall and stumbled into the room .
Lying on the guest bed , Cathy only then realized this was Donald’s bedroom . When she saw the family photo of four on the nightstand , she suddenly broke down completely .
After showering , Werner noticed Cathy wasn’t home . He figured she’d gone out and didn’t give it a second thought .
Late that night , Werner called Cathy , only to hear her phone ringing from the guest room . When he tried the door , he realized it was locked from the inside .
Werner banged on the door and shouted , “ Why the hell did you lock the door ? Open up now . ” But all he got in response was silence .
No matter how desperately Werner called out to her , even threatening to break down the door , Cathy remained completely unresponsive .
Realizing something was seriously wrong , Werner immediately called Donald .
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Jennifer had just gotten home when she saw Donald answer a call . His expression changed instantly . Without a word , he grabbed his things and hurried
out the door . He was heading home , and Jennifer offered to accompany him .
On their way , Teresa called Jennifer , hoping to meet her . This was a rare call from Teresa to her .
Jennifer said bluntly , “ Can’t talk now . Donald has an emergency . I’m going home with him . ”
“ Well , what happened ? ” Teresa asked .
“ It’s probably nothing serious . Unless it’s urgent , we’ll talk another time . ”
Teresa fell silent . She wanted to come clean about Michael , and Jennifer had to know . No matter what Jennifer said this time , she wouldn’t be swayed . She just hoped Jennifer would be prepared , because there was nothing more Teresa could do .
But with the emergency at Donald’s home and Jennifer away , Teresa said , “ It’s nothing urgent . We can talk about it another time . ”
Teresa hung up the phone . Jennifer didn’t give it a second thought , but then she noticed that Donald’s face had gone ashen . She took his hand , only to find it ice – cold .
Jennifer had to call his name several times before Donald finally snapped out of it . “ What’s wrong ? ” he asked , looking lost and confused .
Jennifer asked with concern , “ Are you okay ? How about I drive instead ? ”
“ Almost there , ” Donald said tersely .
At the Lynn residence , Cathy’s door remained stubbornly locked . Werner was frantic with worry , pacing back and forth . Donald finally returned , unexpectedly , with Jennifer in tow .
Werner pulled Donald aside and whispered urgently , “ I don’t know what’s wrong with Cathy . She’s locked herself in and won’t com anything to your mother ? ”
id you say
Donald shook his head . “ I didn’t say a word to her . ”
“ So , what the hell is going on with your mom ? ”
Donald was equally baffled . He knocked on the door , trying to get Cathy to come out . But from inside , there was only silence in response to Donald’s
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knocking .
Donald called out , “ Mom , whatever’s wrong , please come out . Let’s talk this through properly . ”
Werner chimed in , “ Cathy , Donald , and Jennifer are all back . Come out . Don’t make a fool of yourself in front of our son and Jennifer . ” But the door remained stubbornly shut .
Just as Werner and Donald were about to force the door open , it unexpectedly swung open from the inside .
Cathy’s eyes were swollen and red , as if she’d been crying her heart out . Her gaze first fell blankly on Werner , then turned deep and searching as it shifted
to Donald .
“ Mom , ” Donald called out softly .
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