Chapter 158

“Chappy” Teresa was caught off guard. She had been too young to remember her village’s first mistress. Philip, leveraging his good looks, had never lacked for female companionship. Ultimately, Philip married the wealthiest of them all, a woman six years his senior, Hannah. Isn't it funny how we're kind of alike? Both entangled with someone surnamed Lynn, both hurt by a woman named Chapman, Teresa mused.

Jennifer stiffened slightly. She asked, “You’re referring to Yvonne, the woman who ruined your marriage and later died of depression? But how am I entangled with anyone from the Lynn family?”

Teresa chuckled. “Jonathan’s cousin. Relax, Donald told me. He likes you, but you don’t like him. He’s just harboring unrequited love.”

Jennifer frowned. “I really don’t like him.”

“Oh really? Then why are your eyes darting around? Do you not like him even a little?” Teresa teased.

Seeing Teresa’s mischievous expression, Jennifer pinched her cheek. “How could I possibly like your ex-husband’s cousin?”

Teresa dropped her playful smile and turned serious. “Hannah, don’t let this stop you if you both like each other! I have no objections.” She didn’t want her ties with Jonathan to interfere with Hannah’s happiness. There was no rule saying one couldn’t be with her sister’s ex-husband’s cousin.

But Jennifer shook her head firmly. “No, even if I never marry, I won’t get involved with anyone from your ex-husband’s family. Imagine how awkward it would be if our families met.”

“But—” Teresa began.

Jennifer cut her off. “That’s enough. No buts. I’m content as I am now, having reunited with my sister. I’m happy and fulfilled. I don’t need love, and I certainly won’t let a man disrupt the life I’ve built.”

Just as Jennifer finished speaking, the urgent ring of a phone broke the silence. Looking up, she saw Donald standing outside the door. She didn’t know how long he had been there.

Awkwardly, Donald fumbled to silence his phone before coughing to announce his presence. Smiling, he stepped into the room. “Sorry to interrupt your sisterly chat. I just came to check on you before heading off.”

“You two chat. I’ll step out for a bit,” Teresa quickly excused herself, leaving the two alone.

Jennifer broke the silence. “You must have overheard what I said just now.”

Donald nodded, his eyes clouded with disappointment and sadness.

Jennifer averted her gaze. Seeing his sorrow made her feel a pang in her chest. She couldn’t deny that he was a good person. Despite being a few years younger than her, he exuded warmth and care.

She said, “I truly appreciate all you’ve done for me, and I’m grateful for your feelings. But now that I’ve reunited with Teresa… you are her ex-husband’s cousin. Because of this connection, we can’t be together.”

“And if that connection didn’t exist? If it were just you and me, would you like me? Even a little?” Donald asked, his gaze unwavering.

Flustered, Jennifer licked her dry lips and shook her head, but Donald smiled knowingly. “You’re flustered. That means you do like me, even if just a little. Right?” he asked.

“I don’t!” Jennifer stammered.

Donald reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Whether you do or not, I’ll still treat you well. I like you, Jennifer,” he said.

Jennifer thought of his kindness and the complications of their connection. She also remembered the DNA sample swap she had orchestrated and lowered her gaze.

She burst out, “You don’t even know the real me! The person you like is just the version of me you see! I’m not as good as you think I am. I—”

Her words caught in her throat as she felt the warmth of Donald’s hand on her forehead. His breath, so gentle and protective, lingered for only a moment before he straightened. "Successfully unlocked!"

"Do you know how scared I was when you got hurt? You’re precious to me. I just want to see you happy and never think you’re unimportant or unloved. You are… I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I want to free you from the pain I see in your eyes. Whatever you’ve been through, I hope I can help you leave it behind.”

Clutching a blanket tightly, Jennifer, if not for her firm resolve, would have cried. She offered a ride and said, “Thank you, but I’m sorry.”

Donald smiled faintly in return, his expression tinged with sadness as he turned to leave.

That night, Jennifer gazed out at the city lights, her heart a turmoil of emotions that refused to settle.

The days passed quickly, and soon, it was January 14th. Teresa was exhausted from looking after Jennifer, while trying to keep Donald and Michael from crossing paths. She didn’t know how Evelyn was doing, either. Teresa hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for several days. One rare free afternoon, she took Michael to the pizza shop across from the hospital for a break.

Teresa left her phone with him while she queued for their order. Michael was browsing short videos when a message suddenly popped up:

[I’ve booked a flight for next week. I won’t be back by January 15th. I’ve prepared a gift for you; my driver will deliver it. Remember to answer his call.]

[The car is yours to use for as long as you need. Don’t worry about returning it. When I’m back, see you at Rosary Estates.]

Michael read the message, recognizing it as coming from the man who was saved in Teresa’s contacts as “Lime” instead of “Jonathan.” Though he couldn’t understand all the words, he grasped the gist: [Flight booked, won’t return, gift, car is yours. See you.]

Excited, the boy tried to reply but kept typing gibberish, so he scrolled through the stickers and sent a cute “I miss you” sticker.

In Nusridge, Jonathan paused, staring at the message for two seconds. The afternoon sunlight softened his features, lending him an unexpected warmth. He smiled faintly, thought for a moment, and replied: [I miss you b…]

The next second, another message arrived. It was a sticker with kisses.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised but undeniably pleased. He replied briefly before putting his phone away as his client returned from the restroom. Being on the phone in front of the client wasn’t polite.

His client noticed the residual warmth in Jonathan’s expression and that he had been on the phone, so he asked if Jonathan had been chatting with his girlfriend.

Jonathan replied, “My wife.”

Jennifer had only a few essentials during her hospital stay—nothing much beyond a washer and hot water bottle. Though Teresa thought they should just toss them, Jennifer insisted on bringing them home. “You have to be practical,” Jennifer declared.

“Sure, Hannah. Whatever you say,” Teresa chuckled.

Jennifer refused to ride in the car, but Donald had already helped load her things into the vehicle. “When’s my cousin coming back?” Donald asked Teresa.

“Next week,” she replied.

A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. “You two talk a lot, huh? I message him daily and he never replies.” Teresa coughed awkwardly, turning away. Meanwhile, Jennifer was getting impatient. “Teresa isn’t your sister-in-law anymore. She has nothing to do with the Lynn family.”

“Fine, fine,” Donald said, patting Jennifer on the head while she was unguarded. “You’re always so serious.”

Jennifer smacked his hand away, her face darkening with anger. She was determined never to let him touch her again. Teresa sighed as she observed the exchange. Her sister was much more ruthless than she could ever be. Her resolve to sever ties was much stronger than Teresa’s, and that was impressive.

As the car started, Teresa turned on the sound system. She was struck by the playlist—vintage classics like “Time Flies,” “Been Awhile,” and “My Love”—unchanged from when she and Jonathan were married.

“You should return this car. People will talk if they see you driving your ex’s car,” Jennifer scolded.

“I didn’t have a car to pick you up, so I had to use this one. My car’s still with Minam,” Teresa explained. “She’ll return it next week.”

“Then take mine—” Jennifer started to offer hers but stopped. Her second-hand Toyota—that she had scrimped and saved for—had been totaled in the accident. She bit her lip, realizing she would need a new car soon.

Halfway home, Teresa’s phone buzzed. It was Benny, confirming he’d completed what she tasked him to do. “Well, no surprise there. Benny always gets things done fast—like a bunny,” she thought.

As the car pulled into the residential area, Teresa grinned. “Get out of the car, Hannah, I’ve got a surprise for you.” Puzzled, Jennifer followed her gaze to a brand-new white Mercedes-Benz C260 parked in the driveway, gleaming in the sunlight. Benny jogged toward them, handing the keys over to Teresa.

“It’s the fully configured version. I got every discount possible,” he said. “Total came to 107 thousand dollars with tax. Just give me 100 thousand dollars; you can keep the change.”

“No way,” Teresa said firmly. “I’ll transfer you the full amount.”

Benny waved her off. “Use the extra to buy Jonathan a new scarf. He’s been wearing the black one all year. He’s always bragging about how it was a gift from you. Besides, he’s a CEO now, and that scarf needs a wash.”