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The betrayal , delivered by the one Teresa trusted most , struck her already broken heart like a fresh blade .
Jennifer was in agony . She desperately tried to grasp Teresa’s hand , but failed .
“ I know I was wrong , ” Jennifer sobbed , “ but I had no choice . I’ve lost everything ”
Jennifer had already lost her baby . If she lost her job too , she’d have nothing left .
“ You lost everything ? ” Teresa shot back coldly . “ And what about me ? Do you think I had it easy ? You forced your good intentions on me , and now you’re making me pay for your choices . Some sister you are . ”
Jennifer’s eyes were red – rimmed . “ Teresa , I know I wronged you , ” Jennifer said tearfully , “ but I can’t beg your ex . If you took the blame , Jonathan would go easier on you for old times ‘ sake . ”
Teresa’s heart chilled even further . She thought , ‘ So she can’t swallow her pride to beg Jonathan , but mine is always negotiable ?
“ And her dignity is sacred , but mine is worthless ? Are my pride and self – respect supposed to mean nothing ? ”
“ Do you know how I felt when I came to see you at the hospital ? ” Teresa demanded . “ Jonathan confronted me , shattered the bracelet he gave me , and took Mike away . I was left alone . Then the traffic police called , yet I still rushed to you . ”
No one could have known the depth of sorrow and exhaustion Teresa hid behind her calm facade that day .
Jennifer gritted her teeth . She knew none of it
Teresa wiped the tears from her eyes . “ So I won’t help you , ” she said firmly . “ I told you we each walk our path and bear our consequences . I don’t think you’re cut out for this line of work . Just switch careers . It’s for everyone’s good . ”
“ How can you say that ? I’ve sacrificed to get into a medical university . After fighting my way to this position , I’m turning thirty soon . How can you stand by and watch me lose everything ? ”
“ Why can’t I ? ” Teresa shot back . “ You had no qualms letting me take the fall . Why should I hesitate to watch you lose everything ? ”
“ Who said anything about jail time ? ” Jennifer protested . “ I said Jonathan would let you off the hook because of your history together . All you have to do is help me . ”
“ I won’t help you , ” Teresa cut Jennifer off and said mercilessly , enunciating each word with cold precision .
“ In my heart , you’re no longer the Hannah I once knew , ” Teresa said coldly . “ You’ve used our sisterhood to guilt me for years . You’ve hurt me too many times , and I won’t let you control me anymore . ”
“ Just leave ,” Teresa said coldly and flung the door open .
Then Teresa said one final word to Jennifer , “ You’re on
your
own now . ”
Just as she had chosen her path , Teresa no longer wanted Jennifer’s empty concern . She only wished to be left in peace – no more turning to her , no more disruptions . She owed Jennifer nothing .
Jennifer’s eyes brimmed with tears . “ Fine , ” she said , “ if you’re going to be this heartless and refuse to help me , then I’ll have to call Evelyn and have her come back to help me instead . ”
“ Go ahead ,” Teresa sneered , her eyes cold . “ You used Evelyn to trick me into going to Gorthany . It’s the same old trick again . But
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I’m not afraid anymore , and I won’t let you guilt me again
This was the last straw that broke the camel’s back .
Disappointment never arrived suddenly . It accumulated through countless letdowns and silent fractures , until the weight became unbearable and silence was no longer an option .
Teresa didn’t want to consider anyone else anymore . The weight on her shoulders all . She had a breaking point too , a moment when she couldn’t endure it any longer .
This time , Teresa shoved Jennifer out and slammed the door behind her .
snt too much . She was only human , after .
She finished her words in her mind . “ I wish I never had a sister like you . Life would be so much better without you .
On his way home after dropping Michael off at Teresa’s place , Gary ran into Jennifer .
Jennifer sat slumped by the roadside , her face streaked with dirt and her hair a tangled mess . She looked utterly broken , like a soulless shell , as if she had given up on herself .
Gary’s heart softened . He got out of the car and handed Jennifer a tissue .
Jennifer’s eyes brimmed with tears as she forced a bitter smile . “ Are you here to gloat ? I’ve lost everything , my baby , my family , and now I’m about to lose my job too , ” Jennifer said .
Gary realized what Jennifer was getting at and asked , “ Did Jonathan come to settle the score with you ? ”
“ He gave me two options , ” she said . “ Either I resign , or he’ll sue me for falsifying the DNA test results . No matter which I choose , he’s determined to block every path forward and make sure I lose this job .”
Gary said , “ Then maybe it’s time to find a new job .
“ Are you sure this job is right for you ? You didn’t choose it out of passion , just for the status and prestige . But without the title , we’re all just ordinary people with simple needs . ”
“ No , ” Jennifer said , fists clenched . “ I fought so hard to get here , through med school , grad school , and all of it . I’m thirty already . How can I throw it away now and let it all be for nothing ? ”
“ Turning thirty can be a fresh start , too . It doesn’t have to mean the end , but a chance to start fresh . ”
“ I can’t , ” Jennifer said . Then she buried her face in her hands , her body wracked with agonizing sobs .
Gary knew he couldn’t make her any more promises . He had given Jennifer every chance , but she consistently chose concealment and deceit . In the end , this was the path she chose for herself .
Letting go was hard . Jennifer couldn’t give up the respectable job she had , let alone accept her failures and mistakes . She still wouldn’t face reality .
Gary drove away . From that moment on , he felt no lingering attachment to Jennifer . He owed her nothing more .
As Teresa tidied the pile of toys and clothes , she sent Michael to bathe . Jonathan had Gary deliver so many expensive toys that
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their small apartment couldn’t hold them all , and some ended up in her room .
“ Mommy , ” Michael said proudly , looking all fresh and squeaky clean after his bath , “ when I stayed at Mr. Lime’s house , heavie helped wash my back . I felt so shy . ”
“ Really ? ” Teresa asked .
“ Did Jonathan bathe with Michael ? Teresa wondered .
“ Mr. Lime has a well – built physique , far surpassing what we usually see on TV shows ”
Teresa’s cheeks warmed inexplicably .
She thought , “ Looks like I do need to cut back on his screen time from now on . ”
“ Mommy ,” Michael chattered excitedly in front of Teresa , “ let’s not live here anymore . Mr. Lime’s house is so huge . Why don’t we go live with him together ? ”
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