Chapter 610

609
Jonathan looked back and locked eyes with Sanford . “ … ” Sanford hesitated , frowning , unsure if he should speak .
Jonathan asked , “ What do you want to say to me ? ”
After a long pause , Sanford finally said , “ Thanks for today . ”
Jonathan didn’t answer . He just turned and walked away , disappearing from Sanford’s view . Sanford’s expression grew complicated . He wondered i
Jonathan would feel happy or worried if he knew Teresa had a son with him .
At 2:30 a.m. , by Starlace River , the calm water hid dangers beneath the surface . There weren’t many people on the roadside , just a lone figure staring ahead . She slowly walked to the spot closest to the river and then stepped over the railing .
It was Cathy . At that moment , there was no warmth left on her face . Her eyes were sunken , and tear stains dried on her cheeks .
She stood with her arms outstretched , holding that pose for a long time . In the wind , she looked as if she might collapse at any moment .
A patrolling security guard spotted her and froze . He shouted , “ Ma’am , are you okay ? Don’t do anything stupid . Come down . It’s dangerous here ! ”
Cathy said , “ My life is meaningless . It’s all my fault . Everything’s my fault .”
The guard urged , “ Life’s still worth living ! Come down and talk to me . ”
Cathy snapped back , “ You don’t get it . Don’t worry about me . If I die today , it’s not your problem . You’re just a security guard . ”
Then she jumped into the river with a splash . She felt weightless falling through the air . In a daze , she heard a voice calling her name . It sounded familiar , but she didn’t want to think about who it was .
The security guard saw her jump and immediately radioed , “ We have a woman who jumped into Starlace River ! ”
Then , with another splash , someone else jumped in too . The security guard was shocked and radioed again , “ Two people jumped in . We need backup
now ! ”
Cathy was struggling in the water , flailing desperately . The instinct to survive drove her to reach for anything she could grasp . Mouthful after mouthful of river water poured into her throat , into her lungs . She felt like she couldn’t breathe anymore .
Suddenly , a hand grabbed hers . Cathy felt the strength , and her survival instinct kicked in . She couldn’t think clearly . She just held tight to the other person’s neck . It all felt like a dream .
When she opened her eyes again , the bright white room was hard to adjust to . Slowly , she realized she was in a hospital . A doctor came in . She sat up , holding her head , and asked who had saved her .
The doctor said , “ A young man saved you . ” Then he turned away , saying , “ Strange . He was just here , but now he’s gone . ”
Cathy looked around but saw no one . She asked , “ Doctor , what’s his name ? ”
The doctor said , “ He didn’t say . He looked about thirty , his clothes still wet . He left without changing . ”
Cathy went quiet . Then a familiar voice echoed in her mind . As she was about jump at the time , someone suddenly shouted , “ Don’t jump ! ”
‘ It was him ! ‘ Cathy knew right away who had saved her . She threw off the covers and jumped out of bed . The man who’d saved her was heading down the stairs , about to leave .
“ Wait ! ” she shouted . The man slowly turned around . Cathy hurried down after him , and there he was – Sanford , the man who saved her . She couldn’t
believe it .
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She stepped closer and stared at hlin . “ You saved me , didn’t you ? Why did you ? ”
Sanford looked back and asked , “ Why did you want to die ? ”
Cathy scoffed . “ You want to know ? Try putting yourself in my shoes . How am I supposed to live after knowing my husband has a son older thân mân .
Sanford’s eyes dropped , a flicker of something passing through them . “ I’m sorry . If it weren’t for me , none of this would’ve happened , I thould be the
one gone .”
Cathy said nothing . Sanford went on , “ You can hate me , hate Werner , but I still don’t get the full story . How did two people with no connection end up with a kid ? Why was that kid me ? ”
Cathy forced a bitter smile and shook her head . “ It doesn’t matter now . Werner says it’s all my fault , and that I shouldn’t have dug so deep or caused trouble . He accused me of ruining this family .”
Sanford sighed , frustrated . “ I don’t get why you think that way . You believe that if you keep silent , this secret will stay hidden forever ? How long can they keep it ?
“ One year ? Two ? Five ? Ten ? This truth’s like a thorn heart . No matter how long it takes , I have to pull it out to feel better . ”
my
Cathy broke down and collapsed to the floor . “ We just can’tcept the truth . My family’s gone . Werner destroyed it . Divorce is the only way . ”
“ Then get a divorce . Love yourself . Live well . ” Cathy froze and looked up at Sanford , shocked . She never expected those words from him .
“ Cathy , I hope you live well . Don’t buy into Werner’s blame . You’re not at fault . Neither Donald nor the others . You’re all innocent . Take care of yourself . ” Sanford said and started to walk away .
“ Wait . ” Cathy’s eyes filled with tears as she held his gaze . “ You’re right . You kids really are innocent . Thanks for saving me . I hope you live well too . ”
Sanford didn’t look back . Every step he took was heavy and filled with pain . In just a moment , he completely disappeared from Cathy’s sight .
In Nareigh . It was 2:30 a.m. Teresa didn’t know why Jonathan was looking for her so late . Usually , if he showed up this time , she figured he was drunk .
Jonathan leaned against his Maybach , his back turned to her . Teresa tapped his shoulder. “ You’re looking for me – uh . ” Before she could finish , he pulled her into a strong , warm hug .
Teresa stared blankly at him . Jonathan breathed in her scent and buried his face in her shoulder . “ Sanford isn’t my dad’s kid .”
“ What ? ” Teresa asked .
“ Remember when we went to Shaville ? On the way back , we saw Werner . You told me on the plane he looked like Donald . I should’ve been more careful , ” said Jonathan .
Teresa understood and was shocked . “ You mean Sanford is Werner’s son ? That makes him Donald’s half – brother ? ”