Chapter 241
Jennifer let out a dry laugh. “Don’t compare yourself to Donald,” she said. “Teresa divorced you ages ago. She told me she only married you because she was moved by your kindness, not because she loved you. If someone you didn’t love kept pestering you, wouldn’t you be frustrated? Let her go, Jonathan. You two were never right for each other, especially with your mother involved.”
Jennifer was about to confront Irene when Irene and Cathy walked in. Cathy asked Jonathan, “How’s Donald? Is he going to be okay?” Jonathan told her not to worry, but Cathy couldn’t help herself. She pressed her hand against the operating room door, as if she could somehow see through it and catch a glimpse of what was happening inside.
Irene turned her sharp gaze toward Jennifer and asked Jonathan, “And who might this be?” Jonathan didn’t mention that Jennifer was Teresa’s sister. Instead, he said casually, “She’s Donald’s friend and a doctor here, Jennifer Nelson.” Jennifer and Irene exchanged brief, polite nods, their expressions distant. Jennifer thought, So this is Jonathan’s mother. Why does she look so much like Genevieve? No, it must be my imagination. Genevieve has always been warm and gentle, but Irene possessed a sharp, commanding presence that made it clear she wasn’t someone to cross.
Cathy walked over to Jennifer and grabbed her hand tightly. “Jonathan told me you saved Donald,” she said. “I can’t thank you enough.” Jennifer’s eyes widened in surprise. She turned to Jonathan, her face full of confusion.
Once Cathy and Irene were out of earshot, Jonathan explained, “If they knew Donald got hurt saving you, you might as well kiss your relationship goodbye.”
Jennifer asked, “Why are you helping Donald and me?”
Jonathan said with regret, “I don’t want my relationship with Teresa to affect you two. Donald’s the kind of man you can trust with your future. I just hope you don’t end up like Teresa and me.” With that, he turned and walked away.
Jennifer’s heart tightened with guilt as she clenched her fingers. She suddenly wondered if she had made a mistake. She found Jonathan didn’t seem as bad as she had imagined. Then she thought, But it is too late. I’ve already deceived him.
The red light above the operating room finally went out. A doctor stepped out. Pulling off his mask with a relieved sigh, he said, “We managed to save him. Don’t worry.”
Cathy exclaimed, “That’s wonderful!” She rushed forward, clutching the doctor’s hand as tears streamed down her face. “Thank you, doctor,” she said. “Thank you so much! Can I see my son now?”
The doctor replied, “He’s still unconscious. Are you his family? Please wait a little longer.” Cathy nodded and followed the doctor. Jonathan walked alongside Cathy to handle the hospital fees. Cathy tried to decline his help, but Jonathan waved it off.
In another hospital room, Heidi said to Irene, “Irene, the doctor gave Dad a sedative. He’s asleep now. I can’t believe he managed to make it to Nareigh on his own. He’s still got some fight in him.”
Irene sighed deeply. “He must miss Mom too much,” she said. “We just visited her grave.” Everyone believed Fiona had passed away long ago, so they had buried her belongings. But Gordon believed Fiona was still alive.
Irene called Jonathan over and said, “I gave you a photo of your grandmother. Have you found any leads?”
Jonathan shook his head. In a world this vast, finding someone who disappeared years ago felt impossible, like chasing a ghost.
Heidi said, “Irene, Mom is definitely gone. Let’s stop looking and stop putting pressure on Jonathan.”
Irene grasped Gordon’s arm. Her voice tinged with sorrow as she said, “Dad’s so stubborn. He just wants to see her one last time. Look at him now. He’s so thin, like a shadow of his former self.”
Just then, Cathy burst into the room. She shouted, “He’s asking for you, right now!”