Chapter 215

“Enough, Hannah,” Teresa finally snapped. The moment she called out Jennifer’s real name, even Jennifer herself froze in shock.

“Stop pushing me. I can’t take you anymore. I’ve told you a million times, stay out of my life. I’m an adult now, not that naive little girl from back then.”

“And most importantly, this is my kid, not yours. It’s my call whether I keep it or not. You don’t get to worry about it,” Teresa added.

Jennifer’s fists clenched so tight her nails bit into her palms as she glared at Teresa. “You’re already raising one kid by yourself, and now you want to take on two? Get real, Teresa. Wake up.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing. I’ve made up my mind to leave Nareigh, and this time, I’m serious. What else do you want me to do?”

“I knew you’d try to force me into getting an abortion, which is why I never told you in the first place. I was scared you’d find out just like this.”

“Flip out? You’re the one who’s flipping out here, Teresa. You’re so immature.”

But Teresa had already turned and walked away. Jennifer stood there, staring at her retreating back. It was late, and she really didn’t feel like arguing with Teresa in the middle of the night. She decided she’d deal with this tomorrow.

Jennifer was sure she could get Teresa to agree to the abortion. She believed it was her job as the older sister to look out for Teresa.

Meanwhile, Jonathan, who was still in Archulea, heard from the nanny that Teresa had moved out. He called her immediately, while she was stepping out of the shower.

She said she moved out because Evelyn and Isabel had left. Then she lied again, saying she’d already sent Michael back and that his mother had come to take him.

Jonathan asked, “Christian is back?”

“He’s not back. It was my colleague, Sherry, who returned and took Michael,” she replied.

‘By the time you’re back, Michael, the baby, and I will be long gone from Nareigh,’ Teresa thought to herself.

Jonathan paused for a moment. No matter how amazing Michael was, he wasn’t their kid. Right now, all that mattered was whether Teresa was pregnant. “Did your period come this month?” he asked.

Teresa’s fingers tightened around the phone. She glanced at the pregnancy test stick she’d just taken. “Not yet. It should be here soon. I saw some spotting today,” she replied.

“I don’t think I can believe you,” Jonathan said, his tone laced with doubt.

“Believe it or not, I don’t care,” Teresa shot back. She knew she was lying.

Jonathan’s nagging just kept going. Just as he’d said before, if he didn’t nag her, it meant he didn’t care. Teresa had had enough, though. She hung up the call without a second thought.

Jonathan transferred 100,000 dollars to her account shortly after with a text: [That’s ten times the rent you gave me. If you ever want to come back, the place is yours, free of charge.]

Teresa didn’t want it. She gave him the 10,000 dollars for rent; there was no reason for him to give it back tenfold. Jonathan sent another 100,000, along with a note: [A little something for that watch you got me. You’re always thinking of me. Gifted to Mrs. Lynn.]

Teresa’s mind drifted back to when they first got married. She’d shown Jonathan a news story back then.

It was about a couple who’d been together for three years before breaking up. The guy was super stingy and wanted the girl to give back every penny he’d ever sent her. When she said no, he dragged her to court.

At the time, Teresa had complained to him, “How cheap can someone get? After being together with her for three years, does he really have to make it so unpleasant?”

The story had caused a huge stir. Afterward, girls—smarter—wouldn’t accept money from guys unless it was clearly labeled as a “voluntary gift” to avoid legal trouble.

“You can rest assured, Teresa. I might take anyone to court, but never my own wife,” Jonathan had said back then. [Jonathan, I’m not Mrs. Lynn anymore. I hope you find someone who really fits you. The money will go back to you automatically when it expires.] After hitting send, Teresa powered off her phone. If she didn’t, Jonathan would definitely call.

Chapter 214

Her eyes were filled with tears, and she felt utterly exhausted. Before going to bed, Teresa reached out to Truman, asking if he was still working as a psychologist. Truman didn’t reply.

The next morning, after breakfast, Teresa was about to head to the office when Jennifer pulled up in her car, offering her a ride.

“We’re not going in the same direction,” Teresa said flatly.

“Get in the car, or I’ll tell Ainam and Cheryl about your pregnancy right now and let them decide if your choice is right,” Jennifer threatened.

“Go ahead. They’re women—they’ll understand and respect my choices,” Teresa shot back.

“I respect you, too,” Jennifer said. “But you’re my only sister, and I can’t just sit back and watch you go down the wrong path.”

Teresa silently got into the car. “Jennifer, there’s no such thing as a right path or wrong path. Who can say they are perfectly right these days? Once you’re out there in the real world, how many people are really pure and flawless?”

“I don’t care about what others do. But you’re my sister, and I have to step in,” Jennifer said firmly, driving straight to the hospital.