Chapter 165

Teresa informed Denny that she'd missed Jonathan's call because her phone had been off, charging. He suggested she keep it on at all times; otherwise, with Jonathan acting like that, people might think she was marrying someone else.

"I could hear it in his voice," Benny added. "The man sounded on edge. I texted him to let him know you're at Luviston Estates. You should probably head there first. Miriam and I will meet you shortly."

Taking his suggestion, Teresa decided to go alone. As she stepped outside, rain began to fall softly. She stood beneath the eaves of a nearby building, watching the rain with quiet contemplation. She tried calling Jonathan, but the call didn't connect—he was likely still on his flight.

As the drizzle created a delicate rhythm, Teresa's phone buzzed. It was Benny again, informing her that Jonathan's IP address had switched to Nareigh. He had responded with just a period, probably too busy to talk.

"I'm already at Luviston Estates," Teresa replied.

"Okay," Benny said. "I'll track down Miriam, and we'll see you soon."

Shortly after the call ended, a sudden squeal of brakes echoed behind Teresa. She turned to see a sleek Rolls-Royce pulling to a sharp stop. From the car emerged a man in a tailored suit, looking a bit travel-worn. His shoulders were damp from the rain. Droplets clung to his hair and slid down the sharp lines of his face, tracing the curve of his nose.

It was Jonathan. His eyes burned with a mixture of fury and hurt as he strode toward her. He grabbed her wrist, his grip firm and demanding. "What's with the message? Who were you showering with? Who were you with?"

"Ouch!" Teresa exclaimed, frowning. "Let go! It was my sister who sent that message—my real sister."

Jonathan released her wrist but immediately placed his hands on her shoulders, his gaze drilling into hers. "I got on the first flight out of Saintnam because of that message!"

"I took over from the driver, sped over 75 miles per hour, ran three red lights, and racked up enough fines to lose my license—all because of that message! And now you're telling me it was your sister?" Jonathan pressed.

He continued, his anger unabated, "Teresa, do you think I'm stupid? You're an only child! Your mom just had your baby sister, but she's barely a year old, is she not?"

"I really do have an older sister," Teresa protested.

Before Teresa could finish, Jonathan interrupted, his tone sharp with disbelief, "You might as well tell me Mike sent it; I'd buy that more easily."

He continued, "I can stomach the idea of you moving on after our divorce, but sleeping with me on January 4th and someone else before the month's even up? Do you think I'm a fool? If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I swear, I'm not letting this go."

"Jonathan, are you done?" Teresa asked, her voice strained with exasperation. "You're not letting me explain! Just stop for a moment and let me talk!"

Jonathan hesitated, his jaw tightening as he tried to rein in his temper. He stood there, lips pressed into a thin line, but said nothing.

Teresa drew a steadying breath. "My sister's name is Hannah. She's my biological sister. She went missing when I was three, and for years, we all thought she was dead."

"After three years of grieving, we had no choice but to move on," she explained. "Then, on January 9th, she had a car accident, and that's how we found each other again."

"I was in the shower when you texted me. I asked her to collect a parcel for me, and she saw your message. She replied to you without telling me. That's the truth, whether you choose to believe it or not," Teresa concluded.

With that, she yanked her hand from Jonathan's grasp. Jonathan stared at her, a storm of emotions playing across his face. Then, suddenly overcome, he leaned in and kissed her, his lips fierce and demanding. His breath mingled with hers, as though he were searching for the possibility of another man's presence.

Teresa struggled in his arms, but he only held her tighter. It wasn't until she was nearly breathless that he finally pulled away. "You've got me completely wrapped around..."