Chapter 634

633
Maybe there was no way for them to go back to how things were , and the best they could hope for now was simply to co parent their children .
“ Just do as I said ,” Gary said , his eyes lingering on a photo of Mike flashing a peace sign by the TV . He added , “ When Jennifer comes back , just tell her what we discussed . Since she doesn’t want to see me , I’ll leave first . ”
Teresa sat alone on the sofa , her mind racing with thoughts of what was about to unfold . She had to come clean .
Jennifer returned soon after . Teresa noticed the troubled expression on her face and asked , “ What’s wrong ? ”
Jennifer explained , “ I just dropped Donald off at the airport . He bought his mother a villa in Soronfield for over 600 thousand dollars .”
“ Where did Donald get that kind of money ? ” Teresa asked .
“ Where do you think he got it ? ” Jennifer shot back , her tone laced with irony .
Suddenly , Teresa understood . A wave of discomfort washed over her . She asked Jennifer , “ Did you tell Donald about Mike’s true parentage ? ”
“ How could I possibly tell Donald ? ” Jennifer’s face was etched with sorrow . “ Do you know what he said to me ? He told me Werner’s image had collapsed . and Jonathan would be his faith , someone he looks up to as a brother . ”
She let out a bitter laugh . “ He already respected Jonathan so much , and now that Jonathan lent him money , he practically worships him . He said this was his debt alone , and it wouldn’t affect my quality of life . ”
Jennifer’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Teresa . “ He’ll resent me . No , he’ll despise me . He’ll divorce me , convinced I’ve betrayed his trust and shattered everything he holds sacred . ”
Teresa remained unmoved , determined not to let Jennifer’s tears sway her . She was afraid of disappointing Jonathan .
Jennifer hung her head low . “ Even the car Donald’s driving now , ” she mumbled , “ was bought for him by Jonathan . ”
Teresa froze . She thought the car was bought by Werner and Cathy .
Jennifer continued , “ After Irene’s father – in – law ruined my wedding , the very next day , Donald showed up with a brand – new car , I didn’t bother to ask , and he never told me . I figured if he didn’t want to talk about it , I’d just pretend not to know .
“ Today , he finally told me . Can you believe it ? The car was a gift from your ex – husband , and even the money for the house was borrowed from your ex-
husband . ” Jennifer wiped away the last of her tears .
“ I tried to convince him . Jonathan’s loaded anyway . But he told me I was wrong , that I shouldn’t look down on Jonathan’s money . He just won’t let me
say a single bad word about Jonathan anymore .
“ Donald … ” Jennifer whispered , her voice trembling . “ He’ll be the first to leave me . He’ll leave me for good .” Tears streamed down her cheeks . “ I can’t live without him . He’s my only warmth . I can’t lose him . ”
Teresa took a deep breath . In the past , she would have just let herself be pushed around , she thought . But not anymore .
Donald admired and respected Jonathan immensely , and with Jennifer’s repeated deceptions , it was only natural he’d be disappointed when the truth came out . She wasn’t sure whether Jennifer and Donald would end up divorcing .
Teresa said , “ Jennifer , you’re still carrying his child . If you tell him you’re pregnant , he might reconsider for the baby’s sake .”
“ No , he won’t , ” Jennifer cut Teresa off , her voice laced with despair . “ If he knows I deliberately hid my pregnancy and lied about it just to get a promotion , what will he think of me ? He’ll see me as calculating , selfish , and heartless . ”
Jennifer couldn’t bear to imagine the look of utter disappointment in Donald’s eyes . Or even worse , Donald might loathe her .
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