Chapter 135

Jennifer asked curiously, “So what about Yvonne? Are they together now?” Teresa shook her head. “She had a major depression. Jonathan told me she tried to end her own life last year. After he and I divorced, I never saw her again.”

“I see. But honestly, whether that woman is alive or not, it’s been so long since your divorce. There’s no need for a remarriage; otherwise, it’ll just be like before, with his mother picking on you or some pretentious woman showing up again,” Jennifer said. Teresa nodded. “I made up my mind the day we divorced. I won’t go back. Even now, my stance hasn’t changed. Some of my friends think we divorced because of money issues and tried to convince me to reconcile with him, saying I could live a better life with him since he’s so wealthy now. But I’ve ignored them all.”

“If I truly cared about money, I’d have taken the matrimonial house Jonathan offered during our divorce. I still have my pride, even though we’ve only been married for two years. That house was bought with his money; I couldn’t shamelessly stay in a place I didn’t own,” she continued.

Hearing that, Jennifer gently patted Teresa’s head to comfort her. “You’ve been through so much. Things will only get better from now on.”

Teresa smiled faintly and thought, ‘Yes, it was all in the past. With the new year, everything would get better, and the past would fade away with the wind and time!’

“Thanks for listening to my story. How about you? Your family? And your sister?” Teresa asked. She was curious about Jennifer because the latter always seemed to be alone, with no family or friends around.

Jennifer gazed deeply at Teresa. “My sister, she… She’s actually…”

“Actually what?” Teresa asked, puzzled.

For the first time, Jennifer felt flustered, her ears burning red. She was afraid the truth might scare Teresa. After all, in Teresa’s mind, she had been dead all these years. She wondered how she could explain everything she had endured.

Just then, her phone rang. “Hello? Okay, I got it. I’m on my way.”

After hanging up, she explained to Teresa that a pregnant woman with severe bleeding had been rushed to the hospital and that the hospital director had asked her to perform the surgery.

“So much to do even on New Year’s Eve,” Teresa commented.

“That’s just how this line of work is—hectic and full of emergencies,” Jennifer replied.

Teresa nodded in understanding. “You better go quickly. Do you need a ride?” “No need. My car’s downstairs,” Jennifer said.

After she left, Teresa cleared away the empty wine bottles and nut shells on the coffee table. Michael was already fast asleep. She placed the new clothes she had bought earlier—when she was with Jonathan—by his bedside, thinking that when he woke up the next day, he would be able to wear the fresh sets of clothes, socks, and scarf.

It was already past eleven. The tune of “Auld Lang Syne” began playing as the New Year’s Eve ball drop came to an end. The new year was about to start, and the Lynn residence had grown quieter.

In the living room, Jonathan stood by the window, with a coat draped over his shoulders, gazing at the fireworks outside. It was quiet all around, but his mind was crowded with memories from his wedding with Teresa and their shared moments. Memories would trap those who cling to them, and he was one of them.

“Are you hungry?” Irene walked over and asked with concern. “Shall I make you some pasta?”

Jonathan shook his head. He was not hungry.

Irene’s eyes glistened with tears. “You’ve drunk so much and haven’t eaten anything. How can your stomach take it? And to top it off, you’ve gotten hit by Grandpa too. Does it hurt?”

Jonathan dismissed her concern. As a grown man, he could take it.

“Why did you drink so much? Do you have another dinner tonight?” Irene asked.

Jonathan kept silent. After a moment, he took a piece of paper from his coat’s pocket and handed it to Irene. Confused, Irene took it and lowered her head to read.

Jonathan spoke, “I did a DNA test again. Last time, Cheryl took it to a DNA testing center. This time, I took it to Donald’s tertiary hospital. The results will disappoint you.”

Irene’s heart sank when she saw the result: there was no biological connection between Jonathan and Michael. The child, who resembled Jonathan, was unrelated by blood.

Irene said, “Fine. If he’s not your son, I’ll accept it. Even if I see that child again, I won’t say another word. But…”

Then, her tone shifted. “It’s not too late to have one of your own now! You’re so handsome. How hard can it be to find someone better?”

“The one I like is the best!” Jonathan said. “I’m going out for a bit.” With that, he stepped around Irene and strode out of the room.

“Where are you going this late?” Irene called after him, but he was already out of sight. At Rosary Estates, it was late, and the festive air outside had mostly dissipated. Teresa had finished tidying the house and was about to take a shower before bed when her phone rang.

It was a call from the security guard. “Ms. Johnston, Mr. Lynn, the one who drives a Maybach, is downstairs. He says he wants to see you but can’t reach you, so he asked us to call.”

Teresa was speechless. “Okay.”

She ended the call without further words. Then, she grabbed a pair of binoculars and peered through her window. Sure enough, Jonathan’s Maybach was parked there.

She checked the time. It was already midnight. ‘What was he doing here on New Year’s Eve instead of staying at home?’ she wondered.

Shortly after, the security guard called again. Teresa ignored the calls but eventually put on a coat and went downstairs.

Jonathan was leaning against the car with his back to Teresa. He was dressed casually in a black shirt and trousers, with a long down coat over them. Seeing him dressed like that made Teresa a little dazed. She had nearly forgotten what he looked like out of formal attire.

“Hey.” She kicked him lightly from behind. “It’s midnight! Are you out of your mind? Coming to your ex-wife on New Year’s Day?”

Jonathan stared at Teresa’s face just inches away; his restless heart suddenly felt at ease. Frowning slightly, he commented, “It’s been 20 days since we last saw each other, and the first thing you do is kick me.”

‘Has it really been 20 days? How time flies,’ Teresa thought.

“You’re cold-hearted. You won’t meet me, and you won’t let me come find you either. Even after I agreed to you, and yet I’m still on your blacklist. I have to contact you through the property management,” Jonathan said.

Teresa came back to her senses and leaned against the car with him. “Is there any reason for us to keep in touch? We already clarified everything before.”

Jonathan demanded, “Take me off your blacklist, or I’m not leaving today.”

At that moment, Teresa wanted to check if he was feverish for coming over at midnight on New Year’s Eve just to argue with her.

“Stay here and catch a cold if you want! I won’t be taking care of you anymore.” Teresa turned to leave, but Jonathan blocked her path, making her bump into his chest.

Jonathan steadied her and said, “Do you really have to treat me like this on New Year’s Eve? I got hit by Grandpa at home and didn’t even get a hot meal. I’m starving now.” “What does that have to do with me? There’s no food left at my place, just some ravioli. I was saving it for the dog tomorrow,” Teresa said.

“I’ll eat them,” Jonathan said. “I’m so hungry that I’m seeing stars. If I drive back now, I’ll probably crash into a tree.”

Teresa was speechless. Michael was sound asleep. If he woke up and saw Jonathan, he would likely be over the moon.