Chapter 1020

Benny sized Teresa up and said, “Next time you post a video, try to look a little less pretty, just in case other guys start noticing you. I don’t want Jonathan to come back and find his wife has been snatched away.”

It turned out Benny had seen Teresa’s social media post.

Benny added, “Maybe Jonathan saw it too–maybe he even watched it over and over.”

Teresa said, “Are you crazy? Do you really think it’s funny to mess with me? Just go, I’m not walking you out.”

Benny replied, “Alright, don’t come out. Look at you, dressed to kill but freezing out here. Go back inside.”

Once Benny left, Teresa opened the video she’d posted again and saw the views had shot up. She thought to herself, ‘Don’t think too much. There is no way Jonathan would ever come across my account. He is busy. Since he is starting a new life, it is time for me to get busy too.’

Suddenly, her phone rang—it was Gary.

Gary said, “Jonathan’s not around, and Hayden is dead set on going to Forlisle Rose Estates. I can’t talk him out of it. I mean, I can’t just let him show up at your place, right? He’ll say Jonathan’s neglecting you guys and give him a hard time.”

Teresa fell silent. She thought, ‘It’s true—Jonathan gave me Forlisle Rose Estates, and I’m the one who chose not to move in. Jonathan isn’t to blame for that.’

Seeing Teresa’s silence, Gary added, “The only way out of this is for you to move to Forlisle Rose Estates with the kids. Mike’s kindergarten is full of rich and influential families, and I put that address down for him.”

Gary’s words filled Teresa with guilt. What really struck her was hearing that every child in Mike’s kindergarten came from money or power–an uncomfortable truth she couldn’t ignore. She wondered if she simply wasn’t capable—if she was holding her child back—and whether clinging to the past was the right thing to do.

Teresa replied, “I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll bring Mike over in a bit.”

Gary said, “Don’t wait too long. How am I supposed to answer?”

“Answer to who?” Teresa asked, puzzled.

Gary said, “I mean, you guys really need to move in as soon as possible. Hayden’s coming over soon, and we can’t let him show up and find no one there. His health isn’t great, you know.”

Teresa replied, “I don’t need Hayden coming all the way to look for me. That’s not a good idea. I’ll take the kids and visit him myself.”

Gary said, “Geez, you’re stubborn, you know that?” Realizing he couldn’t talk Teresa into it, Gary just surrendered. He came over to pick up Teresa and the kids. They planned to go visit Hayden first, then check out the kindergarten.

Hayden was at home, and when he found out Teresa had already given birth, he was completely stunned. With Werner supporting him, he immediately turned to Gary and started scolding him the moment he walked in.

Hayden snapped, “Why am I only hearing now that Teresa had the baby?”

Gary quickly explained, “Grandpa, Teresa was in Jarisburg resting during her pregnancy. She just got back yesterday.” As he spoke, he shot Teresa a look, telling her not to let anything slip.

Teresa caught his meaning and chimed in, “Hayden, please don’t blame Gary, I was the one who asked him not to say anything. I wanted to wait until I could bring the baby to see you myself.”