Chapter 55

Jonathan stared at the surveillance footage, his gaze tightening at the unexpected reaction seeing her on the bed stirred in him. He rose and made his way to the shower to clear his head.

“Teresa! Teresa!” Sherry called out, breaking through Teresa’s distraction in the office at New Edge Media. Sherry felt Teresa’s forehead, worried she might have a fever. Teresa shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“Where were you last night! You only came back early this morning,” Sherry asked, her hand still on Teresa’s forehead.

“I just went out for a bit and ended up staying at a hotel because it was too late,” Teresa replied, her voice steady. She wasn’t lying about the hotel; after her hurried exit from the house at Luviston Estates, she indeed spent a sleepless night there, her mind racing with memories of Jonathan pinning her down. If not for her quick reflexes, she would have been bedridden this morning. She couldn’t understand why her heart was racing like it was back in her teenage days, not like the flutter she felt when she was seventeen.

Thanks to her poor sleep, Teresa was a bit dazed that day. While driving in the afternoon, she failed to notice a car behind her while reversing and scratched it. The man’s car wasn’t as nice as Teresa’s, and seeing how attractive and elegant she was, he tried to take advantage of the situation.

“Sixty thousand dollars!” the man demanded.

“Are you kidding me?” Teresa retorted, not being the one to be messed with. “It’s just a scratch. A few thousand should cover it. Besides, your car isn’t even worth sixty thousand, is it?”

“Yeah, my car isn’t as nice as yours. You drive a Porsche; can’t you spare sixty thousand?” the man said.

“Dude, I’m just a poor renter. Are you trying to take advantage because I’m a woman? Sorry, but I’m not that easy to bully,” Teresa shot back.

Seeing Teresa’s sharp tongue, the man compromised and said, “Alright, give me six thousand, and we’ll call it even. No need to make a scene.”

“Six hundred,” Teresa said firmly, not backing down.

The man complained it wasn’t enough, but when Teresa mentioned calling the insurance company, a car horn sounded, and a black Audi pulled up. Out stepped Benny.

“Benny, you’re just in time. This guy’s trying to scam me,” Teresa said.

“Don’t worry. Get in my car, and I’ll handle this,” Benny replied.

The man thought Benny was Teresa’s husband, but Benny didn’t confirm or deny it. After some negotiation, the man left.

Once Benny was in the car, Teresa quickly asked, “How much did you give him?”

“Three hundred bucks,” Benny said.

“You’re the best,” Teresa said, giving him a thumbs-up.

“Of course, I’m a lawyer,” Benny replied.

Teresa chuckled, forgetting that the laid-back Benny was a lawyer. She remembered when she and Jonathan divorced, Benny had offered to help divide their assets, but neither of them took him up on it.

“I’m actually heading to the hospital now to see Jonathan,” Benny mentioned.

“Jonathan,” Teresa’s heart seemed to clench at the sound of his name.

“That’s right,” Benny replied.

“What happened to him?” Teresa asked.

“Acute gastroenteritis,” Benny said.

Teresa was puzzled, thinking to herself, How did he suddenly get gastroenteritis? Did he drink too much?

Then Benny rushed into the hospital with Teresa, his phone buzzing with non-stop work calls. “Got to split,” he told Teresa. “The office is hitting the roof.”

“Jonathan’s on the eighth floor. Could you swing by and see how he’s doing? I can’t make it up there,” Benny added, his fingers already dancing over his phone screen.

Teresa headed upstairs, the antiseptic smell of the hospital hitting her as she stepped off the elevator and made her way to the wards. She was passing a room when she heard a woman’s overly sweet voice. Simona stood by Jonathan’s bedside. From Teresa’s angle, Jonathan’s face was a blur, but Simona’s fawning expression was as clear as day. Teresa’s face darkened as she caught Jonathan’s gaze through the doorway.

As Teresa turned to leave, Jonathan struggled to sit up, his voice rough with surprise. “What are you doing here? Come in.”

“Nah. I’m good,” Teresa replied casually. “Benny couldn’t make it, so he sent me. But it looks like you’ve got all the company you need.”

Simona bit her lip and explained, “I was just in the neighborhood and heard about Jonathan’s…”

“Save it,” Teresa cut her off. “I’m done with him, so who he’s with now is not my problem.” Then Teresa walked away without a second glance.

“Teresa, please don’t…” Simona tried to keep her from leaving, but Jonathan stopped her.

“Let her go,” Jonathan mumbled, pulling the sheets over himself, his voice sulky.

Simona’s spirits lifted, a thrill running through her. With a voice as soft as honey, she called out, “Jonathan.” Her hand was hovering over his blanket, ready to give it a gentle pat…

But then, Jonathan barked, “You can leave, too. I don’t want to lay eyes on you, either.” His words hung in the air, a shockwave that hit Simona like a bucket of ice water.

“I care about you,” Simona protested. “I took time off just to be here.”

“I’m not interested in the concern of someone I’m not into. You’re bothering me. It’s annoying,” Jonathan retorted, his voice barely audible through the sheets.

Simona, who was used to being chased by guys, had never been called annoying before.

“What’s the big deal with you, Jonathan? You’re just a divorced man!” Simona snapped.

“That’s right, so leave me alone,” Jonathan said, his voice firm.

“Your…” Simona huffed out, her anger and frustration palpable. Then she turned to leave.

Jonathan’s stomach twisted with pain, his brows knotting in discomfort.

Meanwhile, Teresa stormed out of the hospital, fuming. She thought, He called out for me when he was drunk, saying he missed me, but then he got cozy with Simona—same old story, except back then it was Yvonne. If I ever remarry him, I deserve to be miserable!

Back at the office, Teresa’s tardiness didn’t slip by unnoticed. Wayne pounced on her, summoning her to his office.