Chapter 261

Miriam and Teresa, inseparable best friends with matching ringtones, received a call from an unknown number. Miriam rarely answered unknown numbers, but after a recent argument with Jennifer, she decided to take this call.

Teresa's voice sent a shockwave through Miriam. She froze, her mind struggling to catch up. Then, overwhelmed, she let out a piercing scream, "Teresa?"

Jonathan, about to leave, stopped dead at the mention of Teresa's name. His expression hardened, his sharp gaze fixing on Miriam.

"Teresa! Finally! Do you know how worried I've been? Where have you been all this time? Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"Sorry, Miriam. I changed my number in a fit of anger. But I'm doing fine now, really."

"Really?" Miriam pressed, her voice full of concern. "Are you sure you're okay? You left Fernlandia, didn't you? You're not in Nareigh, and you're not in Lonisburg either. So where are you?"

"Jonathan went to Lonisburg to look for you, but he said you weren't—" Miriam froze, her hand flying to her mouth. Seeing Teresa fall silent, she panicked, fearing she'd upset her.

Miriam quickly added, "I didn't tell Jonathan about your place in Lonisburg. It was Jennifer who mentioned it. She knows you have a house there, too."

Jonathan shot Miriam a meaningful glance, subtly nodding toward the phone, indicating he wanted to speak to Teresa.

But the mention of Jennifer brought Miriam's frustration bubbling to the surface. She turned away, dodging Jonathan's hand, and clutched her phone tightly.

"Teresa, be honest with me. Is Jennifer giving you a hard time? Tell me, okay? Don't keep it to yourself. If she's bothering you, I'll give her a piece of my mind."

"No, there's nothing going on between her and me."

"But she—"

Before Miriam finished, Jennifer snatched the phone and rushed into the bathroom, slamming the door. "Teresa, it's me."

Teresa remained silent.

Successfully unlocked!

Jennifer locked the door and moved to the window, her voice calm yet laced with concern. "Don't worry, I haven't told anyone about your pregnancy. You know I care about you, Teresa. Please, come back."

"I know I made mistakes before. I forced you to have an abortion and used it to threaten you into coming back. Did I scare you?"

"If you really want to come back, I can make it work. I'll help you keep the kids a secret. Once you've safely delivered the second baby, we can be—"

"That's not necessary," Teresa interrupted, her tone indifferent. "Jennifer, I hope you can let go of the pain and resentment. I truly wish you and Donald happiness. I mean it. I'm happy now, really. Mike and I are doing great, and the baby is healthy, too. You don't need to worry about us."

Jennifer stayed silent, her gaze tinged with bitterness. "Teresa, I hate that things have come to this between us. We're family, yet you won't even tell me where you—"

A sudden knock startled her. Jennifer composed herself. "Miriam and I are at Jonathan's company right now. We came to see if he'd heard from you. That's why we're here."

Teresa didn't respond.

A soft breeze stirred the wind chimes outside a nearby shop. Teresa, wearing a black baseball cap, her thick hair loose over her shoulders, lowered her head, gripping the phone tightly, her gaze filled with a complex mix of emotions.

"Jennifer, give the phone to Jonathan. I need to talk to him," she said firmly.

Jennifer turned and walked out, handing the phone to Jonathan, who had been waiting anxiously. Jonathan took the phone, stepped outside, paused to compose himself, and then spoke into the receiver, his deep, magnetic voice carrying through, "Hello."