“Jonathan, I just saw Teresa in Nareigh,” Benny said as the call connected.
“Are you sure?” Jonathan sounded skeptical. “She was just in Silvar. We stayed at the same hotel, and she checked out not long ago.”
“Look, she’s back in Nareigh now. I’m tailing her as we speak. Just trust me on this!” Benny hung up, his eyes fixed on the car ahead.
Teresa glanced down at Michael, fast asleep on her lap, his little face peaceful and unaware. Then, she looked at the red sedan trailing them in the rearview mirror. Afraid Benny might see Michael, she urged the driver to go faster.
“Sorry, miss, speeding’s gonna cost me a fine,” the driver replied, maintaining his usual pace.
“I’ll give you an extra 300 bucks. Just lose the car behind us,” Teresa said firmly.
“Got it, miss,” the driver said with a grin.
The taxi surged forward. Benny noticed the sudden acceleration and pressed his own foot hard on the accelerator. But just as he was about to catch up, the light ahead turned yellow. He could have run it, but he was driving his father’s car. This was Nareigh, after all. Benny might get away with it, but his dad wouldn’t. “Shit, shit, shit!” Benny cursed under his breath, watching helplessly as the taxi disappeared into the distance.
Teresa and Michael’s flight from Nareigh to Jarisburg had already taken off. An hour later, Jonathan landed in Nareigh. Walking briskly, he made a call: “Push back my trip to Jarisburg. I can’t leave Nareigh right now.” He headed straight to Horizonlead Group. Benny was waiting for Jonathan there. When he saw Jonathan walk in, he said, “I’ve been calling you nonstop, but your phone was off. Figured you must’ve been on a plane.”
“Where’s Teresa?” Jonathan asked directly.
“Don’t even get me started,” Benny sighed. “I couldn’t catch up to her. She looked like she was in a rush, probably just coming back for a quick family visit. And…”
Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “And?”
Benny hesitated before saying, “And… I don’t know, man. I just have this feeling Teresa’s got someone else. Why else would she take off like that?”
Jonathan’s expression darkened. Benny coughed awkwardly. “I’m just guessing, okay? But think about it—she hasn’t even reached out to Miriam. Odds are, she’s seeing someone new. She cut ties with you so cleanly. Doesn’t that tell you something?” Jonathan’s emotions were a tangled mess. She’d been in Silvar, staying at the same hotel, and still, they hadn’t crossed paths. Now, back in Nareigh, it was the same story. Every time, it felt like fate was playing a cruel joke on him.
He couldn’t quite put his feelings into words. Maybe forcing things would only make it worse. And Benny’s words lingered. Teresa might have someone new. Even if she did, he had no right to interfere.
Benny was already on his way to find Miriam, who was feeling quite anxious herself. When she got back to the office, the receptionist, unable to contain herself, finally spilled the beans—Teresa had come back.
Miriam got excited, but her excitement quickly fizzled out when the receptionist added that Teresa had only stayed for half an hour before leaving.
She thought back to earlier when Edward had taken her home after she got drunk. Out of gratitude, she’d treated him to a meal today and even dropped him back at school. If she’d known Teresa was coming, she wouldn’t have wasted her time.
As Miriam mulled over her regret, her eyes landed on a note sitting on her desk: [Miriam, I stopped by the office to check in. Seeing that you’re all doing well puts my mind at ease. I’m doing fine. Don’t worry about me.]
Miriam grabbed her phone, only to pause—she didn’t even have Teresa’s number.
Just then, her phone rang. Thinking it might be Teresa, she quickly answered, only to hear Benny’s voice on the other end. “I just saw Teresa today. Has she contacted you?”
“Nope,” Miriam replied.
Benny was speechless.
Miriam told Benny to come find her, and soon enough, he showed up at Teresouth Group. “What’s going on? Teresa saw me and bolted like I was chasing her. She even rolled up her car window in a panic. Who’s she with now?”