Chapter 649

Jennifer thought to herself, “I’ve lost my dearest sister and my closest friend. In one fell swoop, both were gone!”

The ringing phone snapped Jennifer out of her thoughts. Seeing Donald’s name on the caller ID, she hastily wiped away her tears. “Donald is at the hospital now. I can’t lose him either,” she thought desperately, “I can’t take it anymore.”

“Miriam, I’m here to pick up Michael.” Teresa had already arrived at Miriam’s doorstep. She’d called ahead, and Miriam let her in.

“Mike is still asleep. Have a seat and I’ll get you some water,”

As Teresa sat on the sofa, Miriam brought her some water. Earlier, when Teresa had just walked in, Miriam had already noticed the tears in her eyes and knew something must have happened. She asked with concern, “How’s your mom? Is it breast cancer?”

Teresa shook her head. “Miriam, you were right. My mom’s cancer report was forged, and Jennifer did it.”

“What?” Miriam was livid. “How could that woman do this? Does she have no professional ethics at all?”

“She wanted me out of Nareigh–she just didn’t want Jonathan to find out about Mike.”

Miriam was a bit puzzled. “Why is Jennifer so desperate for Teresa to leave Nareigh?” she wondered. Under her persistent questioning, Teresa finally cracked under pressure and told her the whole truth.

Miriam was utterly stunned. She never imagined Jennifer would repeatedly abuse her professional position to forge medical reports, while Teresa had been completely in the dark at first.

Miriam exploded, “That woman’s insane! I’m going to confront her right now.”

Miriam, fuming, was about to storm out, but Teresa quickly grabbed her arm. “Forget it,” Teresa didn’t want to drag Miriam into her mess.

“Then I’ll go find Jonathan. I’ll tell him that Mike is his son.”

“Miriam,” Teresa held her back. “Not now. His grandfather just had a stroke and is hospitalized at Jennifer’s hospital. Donald is there too. I can’t drop this bombshell at a time like this.”

Miriam gritted her teeth. She had no choice but to sit back down. “Edward told me that Jonathan asked him to help plan something for the 10th anniversary of meeting you.”

“I had no idea you two had known each other that long. I even told Benny I was sure you guys were getting back together this time. I thought you’d finally come clean to Jonathan.”

Teresa stayed silent, letting Miriam talk.

“Teresa,” Miriam said, “what if Jennifer isn’t your sister?”

That snapped Teresa out of her thoughts. She rubbed her weary temples and said, “How could that be possible?”

Miriam said sharply, “Did you two ever get a DNA test? I remember you told me that you two only recognized each other as sisters after Jennifer’s car accident.

“But she just claimed to be your sister, Hannah. You never did a DNA test, did you?”

Teresa shook her head. “No, we never did a DNA test. But she knows every little detail about my childhood–even why she disappeared. She explained everything to me, clearly and thoroughly. She is Hannah, my long–lost sister from childhood.”

Now it was Miriam’s turn to fall silent, a new wave of contemplation sweeping through her eyes.

Michael woke up, rushed out of his room, and immediately threw himself into Teresa’s arms. “I missed you so much. You came back so late,” he pouted.

Teresa gently ruffled Michael’s hair and stood up. “Sorry to keep you waiting, sweetie. Let’s go home.”

After saying goodbye to Miriam, Teresa took Michael home. On her way back, Teresa spotted someone lingering near the entrance to her apartment complex. A closer look revealed it was Gary.

Gary approached Teresa and asked anxiously, “Where have you two been? Did you go to Gothany?”

Teresa shook her head. “I won’t leave Nareigh, nor do I need to.”

Gary’s brow relaxed, “Good.”

“And Jonathan, how is he holding up now?”

Gary knew exactly who Teresa was talking about: Jonathan, the man who had always been kept in the dark. Gary sighed. “He’s not doing well. He won’t pick up my calls.

“His assistant said he’s been holed up at the office this whole time.” Teresa’s eyes clouded with sadness.

Gary said, “I know Jennifer did this. She wanted you gone. But I never thought she could be this vicious. She knew my grandpa’s blood pressure was high, but still provoked him. Now that you’re back, Teresa, what are you going to do?”

Teresa fell silent for a long moment before steering the conversation away. “How’s your grandpa doing now?”

“His condition’s been up and down. His blood pressure just won’t come down. Werner is looking after him, and, well… Irene also drops by to check on him.”

“I’ll take Mike home now.”

Teresa’s brow furrowed again at the mention of Irene. “Okay. I hope he recovers soon.”

“Hey, Teresa…” Gary stopped her. “You should talk to my brother right now. Just tell him you never went to Gorthany. I think there’s still time to fix this.”

Michael looked up at Teresa with wide–eyed innocence. “Mommy, who’s the ‘brother’ he is talking about?”

Teresa took a deep breath, squeezing Michael’s small hand. “I just got home, and I’m exhausted. I want to go home now. Mike,” She said wearily, “Come on, buddy.”

Gary frowned and no longer tried to stop her.

“Jennifer. Get out here right now!” Miriam’s furious shout ripped through the hospital corridor that afternoon.

“Ma’am,” Lucia blocked Miriam’s path and said, “Jennifer is on her break right now. If you’d like a consultation, you can schedule an appointment for this afternoon.”

“I’m not here for a consultation. I’m here to have it out with her.”

“Ma’am, wait.” Lucia ran after Miriam to stop her. “Goodness, what’s going on these days? Why do so many people come to make things difficult with Jennifer?”

Jennifer stepped out of her break room and immediately scowled when she spotted Miriam standing there. She snapped, “Miriam, have you no shame, making such a scene here?”

“Shame?” Miriam sneered, raising her voice on purpose. “If you’re not afraid of it, why should I be? Have you got a shred of conscience? Look at yourself–do you even deserve to wear that white coat?”

Jennifer’s expression darkened. She swiftly yanked Miriam inside and slammed the door shut. “Miriam, I’m warning you, watch your mouth. Don’t you dare ruin my reputation.”

Miriam scoffed, savagely gripping Jennifer’s hair as she glared at her. “If your reputation’s ruined, it’s because you’re utterly despicable–nothing to do with me.”

“Let go of me!” Jennifer shrieked.

“Do you even realize how desperately Teresa longed for her family’s companionship? Where were you, her “sister,” when your parents divorced? After all these years, even after you finally reunited, you still haven’t protected her one bit.”

Jennifer’s scalp burned with pain, feeling as though Miriam was about to rip her hair clean off her head. Jennifer gasped sharply, her nails digging into Miriam’s palm. “Are you out of your mind? Let go right now!”

Miriam tightened her grip on Jennifer’s long hair, gave it a vicious yank, and then finally released her.