Chapter 169

The next morning, Ei caught a cold, feeling chilly from being exposed to the cold night air. Jonathan drove Edward to the hospital for an injection. Edward wanted to go to the newest general hospital, but Jonathan insisted the Maternal and Child Health Hospital would suffice.

Edward was confused. "I'm neither a woman nor a child," he thought, "so why go to a Maternal and Child Health Hospital?" Just as Edward was about to speak, his nose started running. While blowing his nose, he felt wronged. "Teresa is such a—" he began, then continued, "She took my blanket to cover you. When she left, she didn't even give me a blanket back."

Jonathan glanced at Edward and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't she call to apologize this morning? She didn't mean to do that; she just forgot."

"Well, you weren't the one freezing," Edward muttered. "You were kept warm by two blankets."

Jonathan touched the new gray scarf around his neck, which warmed his heart that morning. The black one had been sent for dry cleaning. He transferred $10,000 to Edward and said, "This is Teresa's compensation to you."

Edward happily accepted the money, a grin spreading across his face. "A little runny nose isn't so bad. I'm a man, after all."

Jonathan smiled slightly and said nothing else. When they arrived at the hospital, Jonathan planned to register Edward first, using the excuse of seeing a doctor to meet Teresa's sister. Bringing Edward was all part of the plan.

Since Jonathan and Teresa were divorced, he couldn't simply show up at Teresa's sister's door empty-handed. Yet, after last night's incident, he had to clear things up to avoid misunderstandings.

As Jonathan and Edward waited for the elevator, they heard a cold voice behind them say, "Excuse me." Jonathan and Edward turned to see a female doctor in a white coat, accompanied by two young nurses.

Edward, with his keen eyes, noticed the name on Jennifer's badge. "Jonathan," he reported, "according to Miriam, that's Teresa's sister, Jennifer." Jennifer had already entered the elevator.

Jonathan greeted Jennifer politely, "Hello." She ignored him.

Jonathan continued, "I'm Teresa's ex-husband. My cousin has a cold, so I brought him to see a doctor. Also, I'd like to discuss something with you privately."

Jennifer glanced at Jonathan expressionlessly. "Coincidentally, I also have some things I'd like to talk to you about."

"Sure," Jonathan replied.

Edward went to the general outpatient department to wait for Jonathan. At the hospital café, Jennifer took off her mask. Jonathan casually glanced at her face, which somewhat resembled Teresa's but was less attractive.

Jennifer cut to the chase. "As Teresa's family, I expect you, her ex-husband, to have some boundaries. Since you're divorced, you both should move on."

She continued, "Last night, I saw the flirty messages you sent her and replied on her behalf. She got upset and argued with me for an outsider like you. I think it's not worth it. After all, you're merely her ex-husband."

Jonathan kept a neutral expression, calmly saying after Jennifer's complaint, "I apologize for last night's messages—that was rude. She never mentioned having a sister during our marriage. Had I known you two were close, I would have visited sooner."

Jennifer smirked sarcastically. "Don't bother with those high-sounding phrases. You don't need to question how close I am with Teresa."

She continued, "You've been divorced for three years. Now that you're rich and powerful, Teresa can't match up to you. Let her go. It'll bless your family."

Jennifer interrupted him. "There's no point in talking. I'm just telling you Teresa won't remarry you, nor does she want anything to do with your family. Doesn't your mother disapprove of you pestering Teresa? As Teresa's sister, I disapprove, too."

Jonathan was speechless. Jennifer had already left, leaving Jonathan frowning. It felt like he hadn't said a word before Teresa's sister bombarded him. Then, Jonathan went to look for Donald.

In the office, Jonathan crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the desk. "What's Jennifer's story?"

"It's not like that, Jonathan. Let me explain," Donald wrung his lips, feeling guilty. Donald confessed that when Jennifer needed a blood transfusion after a car accident, Teresa's family's blood wasn't usable.

A flicker of regret appeared in Jonathan's eyes. He thought, Teresa's sister had a car accident and lost so much blood. Teresa must have been terrified, but I wasn't there for her; she didn't even tell me about this.

Donald added, "I was thinking of telling you once you got back from your—"

Jonathan snapped back to reality, rubbing his temples. "I just met her sister. Her sister's personality is hard to figure out. I hadn't even said anything before she snapped at me."

Donald said, "That's just how Jennifer is. She speaks directly because she's had a tough time throughout the years, which has made her more sensitive. If she offended you, let me apologize on her behalf. Don't hold it against her."

Jonathan was confused. He stared at Donald in disbelief while Donald kept gently calling Jennifer's name. "Could it be you have feelings for Teresa's sister? Were you accompanying her on New Year's Eve?" Jonathan asked.

Donald's ears reddened, and he nodded shyly. "I've liked her for a long time, but I still haven't—"

Jonathan couldn't help but laugh. He considered checking the family registry to see if they owed something to the Johnston family. He thought, I'm already nearly driven crazy by Teresa. Now Donald likes her sister, who isn't even interested in him. Why does our family have such bad luck?

"Not winning her over just means it wasn't meant to be. Why not consider someone else? What decent doctor would be interested in his cousin's ex-wife's sister?" Jonathan asked, joking.

Donald responded seriously, "I just like her. I've already thought it through. Once she and I are married, she'll be mine. You'll be my cousin-in-law, and they'll remain as each other's sisters."

Jonathan didn't expect Donald to be planning so far ahead. He himself hadn't thought that far yet. However, seeing how thrilled Donald was, Jonathan couldn't help but cheer Donald on.

As night fell on January 15th, since Jonathan didn't return home, Irene made special arrangements and invited her sister, Heidi, over for dinner. Jonathan returned with Donald and Edward. Jonathan casually told Irene that Edward had fallen ill, so he took him to the hospital and returned together.

"Edward, how did you catch a cold?" Heidi asked, gently touching Edward's face with concern.

Edward felt a bit uneasy. "Mom, I'm fine. I won't die from it."

"Knock on wood! It's still January; don't talk like something bad is going to happen," replied Heidi.

"All right, everyone. Take a seat and let's eat," said Irene. "Donald, you sit down too."

"Thanks, Irene," Donald said as he rolled up his sleeves. "I'll help get the tableware."

Heidi pinched Edward's arm. "Look at him, being so polite and attentive. And you? All you do is play around all day!"

"I'm not playing all the time!" Edward immediately lost interest in talking to Heidi.