Jennifer had reunited with Teresa, and all she wanted now was to live with her and Michael while focusing on her career. She believed that if Teresa committed to her work, they could both excel in their fields and raise a child together without difficulty. However, Michael shook his head. “I don’t want to leave, Aunt Hannah. I like it here. I don’t want to go.”

Jennifer opened her mouth to respond but stopped when she saw tears welling in his eyes. Panicking, she quickly wiped them away, pressing her lips together. She decided to drop the topic.

That night, Teresa came home late. Jennifer was still awake and greeted her warmly. “I made some supper; it’s still warm in the pot. You should eat something. You must be hungry,” Jennifer said.

Teresa shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m not hungry. Mom was discharged from the hospital today. Her husband didn’t pick her up, so I drove her home.”

Jennifer nodded. “Okay. Get some rest. It’s good to have you back. I’m heading to bed.”

“Good night, Hannah,” Teresa said, watching Jennifer retreat to her room. She could tell Jennifer still cared about Evelyn, even if she tried to hide it.

Before heading to bed, Teresa peeked into Michael’s room, as she always did. “Is my little muffin asleep?” she whispered.

There was no response. The room was dark, and she assumed he was asleep. But as she turned to close the door, something felt off. The blanket on his bed was bunched up strangely, trembling slightly as if something underneath were moving.

Alarmed, Teresa switched on the light and rushed over. Pulling back the blanket, she found Michael curled up, his face streaked with tears. “Mommy…” Michael opened his arms, asking for a hug.

Teresa’s heart ached as she scooped him up, stroking his soft hair. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Were you waiting for me? Or were you worried about me?”

Michael sniffled, burying his face in her shoulder. “Aunt Hannah said we’re leaving here and never coming back.” Teresa frowned, thinking, ‘Why would Hannah say that to him?’

Michael tugged on her sleeve. “Mommy, is it true? Are we leaving for good? Does that mean I’ll never see Mr. Lime again?” Teresa was quiet for a moment. Leaving was inevitable, but she hadn’t yet prepared Michael for the idea. She said gently, “Remember the last time we moved? We moved once and went to Lonisburg.”

Michael nodded. “Yeah, but we came back because Mr. Lime got sick.”

His words stirred something in Teresa. Back then, Jonathan’s high fever had broken her resolve, and she returned. Since then, she had stayed. Moving on would require strength, especially with the challenges Teresouth Group was facing. Jennifer had brought up the idea of moving so many times, urging Teresa to leave as soon as possible. Even while she was in the hospital, Jennifer had asked over and over when they would be leaving Nareigh, but Teresa had never given her a clear answer.

That night, Teresa held Michael close, telling him stories and singing lullabies until his tears dried and he finally fell asleep. Only then did she leave his room and head to Jennifer’s.

She hesitated, planning to address the issue in the morning, thinking Jennifer had already gone to sleep. But the next moment, Jennifer’s door opened.

Jennifer stood there, looking wide awake. “I couldn’t sleep. I was just coming to check if you were still up.”

Teresa sighed. “Hannah, we need to talk. Why did you tell Michael about us leaving like that?” She knew they were leaving soon, but she didn’t want to bring it up around him right now.

Jennifer replied, “I’m just being honest. It’s better to rip off the band-aid now. You don’t want Mike getting too attached to his biological father.”

Teresa’s voice grew sharp. “Michael is two and a half. He’s just a little boy! I don’t want to lay it all out for him like that!” Jennifer countered, “I wasn’t being harsh. I just told him that once we leave Nareigh, we won’t be coming back. He needs to understand that. We went through worse as kids.”

Teresa’s frustration boiled over. “I’m not Evelyn, and Jonathan is nothing like Philip! I would never let Mike go through what we did. No matter how hard or exhausting it is!”

Jennifer softened her tone but stood her ground. “Teresa, this is about your future. Clinging to the past will only hurt you both in the end.” Her voice became almost pleading. “You’re my sister, Teresa. I just want the three of us to be happy and move forward.” Teresa stared at her for a long moment and finally said, “I’m tired, Hannah. Let’s talk about this tomorrow. Get some sleep.”

The next morning, Teresa decided to bring Michael with her to see Hannah. On the way there, Michael, who was in the back seat, said, “Mommy, maybe you should find Aunt Hannah someone to make her happy.”

Teresa’s heart ached at his words. She chuckled at his innocent suggestion. “Oh? Do you have someone in mind?”

Michael said, “That doctor from the hospital! The one who kind of looks like Mr. Lee.”

Teresa thought, Donald would be perfect. Having previously married into the Lynn family, she knew Jonathan’s relatives well. Donald was polite, well-mannered, kind, and had a respectable, drama-free personal life. If anyone could heal Hannah’s weary heart, it was him. But Hannah’s stubbornness made it seem impossible. No matter how kind Donald was, she had no interest in dating.

While Teresa was busy with work that morning, Michael stayed in her office, entertained by watching the bustling city outside the window. By the time Teresa finished her meetings and returned, Michael ran to her as he always did at home. “Mommy, I’m starving! What’s for lunch?” he asked eagerly.

Teresa smiled and said, “What do you feel like eating? I’ll order something for us.”

“I want…” Michael tapped his chin, pretending to think deeply. Just then, Teresa’s phone rang. It was Jennifer. She had prepared lunch for Teresa and Michael and bought some snacks for him.

“I’m downstairs at your office. Are you in? Should I come up?” Jennifer asked.

Teresa quickly replied, “I’ll come down and get you.”

When Teresa met Jennifer in the lobby, she was holding bags of food, including Michael’s favorite snacks. Back upstairs, Michael spotted Jennifer and, still a little wary, peeked out from behind Teresa’s leg, clinging to her tightly.