Chapter 643

Gary yanked his arm free . “ What , your control freak act extends to me now ? I’m not your sister . I’m a stranger , remember ? You said it yourself . I’m free to do whatever I want . ”
“ You- ” For once , Jennifer was speechless . “ Fine . I’m begging . Is this what you want ? For me to grovel ? Right here , in the hospital ? Don’t do this to me .
“ I need to prove I have what it takes to be a good doctor . I can’t stand anyone looking down on me .
Gary didn’t answer , his silent fury more potent than any shout . She – grabbed his arm again , her nails digging into his sleeve . “ I’m begging you , Sanford … No , Gary . Please . I am begging . ”
He closed his eyes for a long moment . When he opened them , the look of pure disappointment was so intense it felt like a physical blow .
“ Go check on Hayden .” With those final words , Gary turned on his heel and strode away .
Jennifer stared at his retreating figure , her jaw tight , fists clenched . After a moment’s hesitation, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t touched in ages .
“ Hannah ? ” The voice on the other end lit up with surprise . “ Aren’t you supposed to be at work right now ? I wasn’t expecting a call from you . What’s going on ? Is everything okay ? ”
“ I’m fine , ” Jennifer said . “ It’s Teresa . She’s in trouble . ”
“ Teresa ? ” Evelyn’s voice was sharp . “ What happened to her ? ”
“ She’s in trouble here in Nareigh . She’s not doing well at all , ” Jennifer said . “ Look , she needs to stay with you in Gorthany for a while . But she won’t listen to me . So , we’re going to make her . Here’s what we’ll do … ”
Jennifer laid out her plan . Evelyn listened , then said , “ Hannah , this isn’t right . You know how Teresa gets when people lie to her .”
“ So you’d rather just let her struggle in Nareigh ? Raising Michael alone while pregnant with another kid ? ” Jennifer shot back .
“ Pregnant ? What are you talking about , Hannah ? Teresa’s pregnant ? Who’s the father ? It’s Jonathan’s again , isn’t it ? ” Evelyn asked in surprise .
“ I’ll fill you in later , ” Jennifer cut her off . “ Right now , Teresa needs to get out of Nareigh . Just do exactly what I say . ”
She paused , the word feeling foreign on her tongue . “ Mom .”
Evelyn was stunned into silence . “ Hannah , you … ”
Jennifer’s grip on her phone tightened . “ Mom , this is for Teresa’s own good . For all of us . Just trust me on this . Call her and say what I told you to . I’m sending you your medical report now . ” With that , she hung up .
Once Hayden’s breathing had evened out in sleep , Werner slowly pushed himself up from the floor .
Jonathan had handled everything – hiring the caregivers , managing the endless paperwork , all of it . He watched Werner get up but said nothing .
“ Jonathan . ” Gary walked in , eyes bloodshot and swollen .
Werner moved toward him , his face a mask of fatherly concern . “ What’s wrong ? Were you crying ? ”
Gary’s stare could’ve cut glass . “ Back off . Not your problem . ” Werner’s jaw clicked shut .
Gary turned back to Jonathan . “ I need to talk to you . Can you come outside for a second ? ”
11:20 Sun , 27 Jul A
642
Jonathan checked on Hayden’s sleeping form , gave a quick nod, and walked out . Gary followed closely behind him .
Werner frowned as he watched them go . He thought , ‘ What’s so damn important they can’t say it in front of me ? *
In the hallway , Gary came cleah . He told Jonathan everything – how he’d confronted Jennifer and confirmed she was the one who’d told Hayden all the family secrets .
“ Do you understand why she’d do it , Jonathan ? ” Gary asked . “ Why would she tell Grandpa right now , of all times ? ”
“ How would I know ? Just say it . ” Jonathan patted Gary’s shoulder .
Gary felt sick to his stomach . He let out a sigh , the burden of his secret almost too much to bear . “ Okay , so– ”
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