Jennifer found the results ridiculous. She stepped back, looking hard at Evelyn and Teresa.
โIโm not your daughter?โ Jennifer scoffed. โAre you two just playing some sick game? If you donโt want me, whatever. I never even liked the name Hannah. Iโm Jennifer now. Iโm a brand-new person, someone with no ties to the Johnston family.โ
โAre you done? You refused to skip the DNA test, but now you wonโt accept the results. This is already the third time, and we did everything right in front of you."
โThe three of us submitted the samples and picked up the results together. You still donโt believe itโwhat exactly do you want?โ Teresa asked.
โThen why am I not your sister? If I werenโt born to Evelyn, then whose child am I?โ Jennifer demanded.
Evelyn, already expecting Jennifer to react this way, said cautiously, โHannah, calm down. You might be my cousin Peggyโs child."
โWe gave birth at the same hospital back then. Maybe I had a son and she had a daughter, and after giving birth, we accidentally took home the wrong babies.โ
โShut up! Do you think Iโm a fool?โ Jennifer shot back, her disbelief only growing.
โSeriously? Of all people, this kind of thing had to happen to me?โ she sneered in her heart.
Jennifer glared at Evelyn, unleashing all her pent-up anger. โYou know what? I wish youโd just said I was adopted."
โAt least that would explain why you treated me so horribly as a kid and why you ignored me all these years. Itโs all because of youโI grew up drowning in fear and self-doubt.โ
โNo, I swear I didnโt, Hannah. This hurts me too. All these years, I never once doubted you were my daughter. How could things end up like this?โ Evelyn broke down, collapsing onto the floor in tears.
Teresa rushed to support Evelyn. โMom, calm down. Get up first.โ
Jennifer stood over Evelyn, looking down at her. Right in front of her, she tore the test report in half and let the pieces fall onto Evelynโs head.
โMy luckโs been terrible my whole life,โ Jennifer said bitterly. โJust when things are finally looking up, this happens. None of you can stand me, do you?โ
โNo one has a problem with youโyouโre the one who canโt accept yourself,โ Teresa said. She placed a hand on her pregnant belly and carefully helped Evelyn stand up. โCome on, Mom, get off the floor."
Then she turned to Jennifer and added, โMaybe Peggyโs baby and you were really switched back then. Whether it was an accident or on purpose, we still donโt know."
โMiriamโs done a DNA test before, and it showed weโre related by blood. So, weโre probably not sisters, but cousins.โ
Jennifer stayed silent. After a while, she wiped away her tears and said coldly, โI understand now."
โWhat do you know?โ Teresa was confused.
โThis is all Miriamโs fault. Sheโs doing this to mess with me on purpose.โ
โCan you stop losing it, Jennifer?โ
Jennifer had already hailed a taxi and jumped in. She was convinced Miriam was behind everything. She needed a targetโsomeone to blame for all this mess. And she thought the busybody Miriam was perfect for the job.
โWhere are you going? Hey, stop right there!โ Teresa shouted, but it was no use. Jennifer was already gone.
Teresa glanced back at Evelyn, who was completely falling apart. She was overwhelmed and didnโt know what else to do. All she could manage was helping Evelyn into the car.
Meanwhile, Miriam had come to Horizonlead Group today. Part of the reason was to see Edward, her boyfriend, but also because Jonathan now knew about Michael.
Since Edward worked here, she figured she should clear things up. Plus, she wanted to have a word with Jonathan about how tough it was for Teresa to raise a kid on her ownโmaybe then heโd treat Teresa better.
Just as Miriam approached the entrance, a message popped up in the Muffinโs Friends group chat. Jenniferโwho wasnโt even in her contacts -had tagged her: [Miriam, where are you? We need to talk.]
Miriam, puzzled, replied that she was at Horizonlead Group and asked Jennifer what was up.
Jennifer fired back: [Why are you at Teresaโs ex-husbandโs company? Are you trying to get with her ex or something? Are you purposely trying to drive a wedge between us sisters? What the hell are you up to?]
Miriam nearly exploded when she saw that message. She instantly unleashed a wild, full-60-second voice message, venting all her rage without holding back.
Teresa checked the group chat a bit later. She played Miriamโs voice message, which ran the full 60 seconds without pause. But Teresa knew that wasnโt because Miriam couldnโt keep going. That was just how long her body could handle it.
โHas Jennifer lost it? What is she even talking about?โ Teresa thought. Then she turned to Evelyn. โMom, Iโll get you to a hotel nearby first. I need to swing by Horizonlead Group.โ
Evelyn nodded. โItโs fine if you go see Jonathan. Maybe he can help out. Iโm sure the babies really were switched back then.โ
โIโm not going to him for help. Jenniferโs over there stirring up trouble. Let me get you to the hotel first,โ Teresa said.
After making sure Evelyn was settled, Teresa drove off. โThereโs never a momentโs peace for me,โ she thought, sighing.
Jennifer arrived at Horizonlead Group at the same time as Miriam. The two of them marched straight toward each other.
Miriam glared at Jennifer and, without hesitation, grabbed her by the collar. โWho are you calling shady? What exactly are you accusing me of? Teresa and I have been best friends foreverโI was there for her when she hit rock bottom."
โOur friendship is solid. Youโve got zero evidence, and youโre throwing around these wild accusations? Do you seriously think everyoneโs as messed up as you are?โ
Jennifer let out a cold laugh and shook off Miriamโs hand, annoyed. โThen why are you even here at Horizonlead Group? And what gives you the right to say Iโm not Teresaโs sister?โ
โThe DNA test makes it crystal clearโyouโre not Teresaโs momโs daughter,โ Miriam shot back. โAnd for the record, Iโm here to see my boyfriend. Edward. Got it?โ
She paused. โYou treat Teresa like garbage, your attitude is toxic, and youโre just plain awful. How dare you come at me? You should just get lostโget out of Nareigh already.โ
Jennifer was already fuming, and Miriam was just as pissed. In no time, the two of them were yanking each otherโs hair, totally losing it and getting into a full-on catfight.
In the conference room on the 12th floor, Jonathanโs secretary rushed in and reported, โMr. Lynn, thereโs trouble. Two women are brawling downstairs on the first floor.โ
โTell them if they fight, Iโll dock their pay,โ Jonathan replied coolly.
The secretary looked stressed. โTheyโre not employees. I even saw Teresa down there.โ
Jonathanโs calm vanished. He shot up from his seat, ended the meeting on the spot, and strode straight for the door. โWhich entrance are they at?โ
โThe south entrance,โ the secretary replied.
Jonathan quickened his steps, hurrying over without a second thought.