Jennifer clicked her tongue, opened a can of beer, and took a sip. “If I were you, I’d want her to be unhappy. If a woman can’t even love her child, how can she expect the child to love her?”

She looked at Teresa and finally asked, “Have you ever considered leaving Nareigh? That way, you wouldn’t have to worry about your ex-husband finding your child.”

Teresa said, “Teresouth Group’s doing well right now. I want to earn more money.”

Jennifer nodded. “You could relocate your company or open a branch in another city. Put someone you trust in charge here and visit several times a year.”

Teresa frowned. “I think I’ll wait a bit longer.”

Jennifer saw right through her. “You’re not still hung up on your ex-husband, are you?”

Teresa got anxious. “Why would I be? He’s just a guy. I haven’t seen him in ages.” In Jennifer’s eyes, Teresa clearly hadn’t moved on. After all, they were once married; there had to have been some feelings involved, even just a little.

She asked, “Why did you two get a divorce back then?”

Teresa suddenly laughed. “Do you want to hear my story with him?”

Jennifer said, “If you’re willing to share.”

Teresa took a sip of her drink while gazing out the window. “Oh, the story with my ex-husband is long. The reason we got divorced is quite complicated. Back then, he wasn’t as wealthy as he is now. He was just a manager at a company and earned around one hundred and seventy thousand dollars a year.

I was a big spender—I’d shell out tens of thousands of dollars on a bag. But I used my own money. I loved buying luxury items because I had savings.

His mother never liked me. She thought I was inconsiderate, not a good housewife, and couldn’t cook. She believed I was holding her son back from achieving more.

She’d call me a troublemaker and always pick on me, throwing sarcastic comments whenever he was away on business trips. But she was my mother-in-law, after all, so I put up with it because I didn’t want to ruin their relationship and distract him from work. I never told him about her.”

Teresa paused for a moment. “There was another woman named Yvonne at that time. She had known him for far longer than I did; I think they were childhood sweethearts, but I’m not too sure. His mother really likes Yvonne. She thinks Yvonne’s gentle and virtuous and perfect for her son.

Yvonne claimed she had depression and always used it to pressure me. She even texted me once, saying Jonathan went to see her and was concerned about her.

I really couldn’t take it anymore. I argued with Jonathan, and he told me he didn’t go to see Yvonne. He said he was too busy with work to have time for any other woman. He said I was the only one for him.”

Teresa took a sip. “Then, one day, it hit me. This marriage was pointless and unfulfilling. It was filled with suspicion, arguments, conflicts with my mother-in-law, and a two-faced woman. It was meaningless. It wasn’t the kind of marriage I wanted.

So, I deliberately got drunk and told him I didn’t love him and married him because I had just broken up with my ex-boyfriend at that time. I told him he was so kind and considerate to me, and I was really moved, which was why I married him. But it was gratitude, not love.”

Jennifer asked, “What happened? Did he get mad?”

Teresa chuckled. “Yes, that was the first time I saw him that angry.” She didn’t go into detail about how he was particularly rough with her in bed.

She continued, “No matter how angry he became, I still told him the same thing—I didn’t love him, and I only felt gratitude for him, not love. He was probably heartbroken and told me he was tired. He said to get a divorce, and we finalized the papers. Then, he left Nareigh.”

Teresa took another slow sip of her drink. “I thought he wouldn’t return to Nareigh. He’s been doing so well these past few years and could go anywhere other than Nareigh. I didn’t expect him to return and suddenly ask to get back together. I have no idea why. Is it because he’s made money and wants to make it up to me? In any case, I don’t want to repeat the same mistake.”

Teresa sounded melancholic. “Jonathan’s a decent guy, but we’re just not right for each other, so I chose to cut my losses.”

She didn’t know why she told Jennifer all of that. It was the first time she shared her story. Perhaps it was because she was a bit drunk, or maybe it was due to a sense of sadness; a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.