Chapter 94

After packing their bags, Teresa and Michael headed to the airport. Michael begged for ice cream, but Teresa refused, and the boy pouted like a grumpy pufferfish. Teresa relented and bought him a milkshake. She asked a nearby security guard to keep an eye on him while she went to the restroom. As she opened the door, a small piece of paper fluttered toward her, catching her attention.

Teresa bent down to pick up the paper and realized it was a pregnancy report, indicating one month along. When she saw the name on it, a deep frown creased her forehead. ‘How could this be?’ she thought.

Just then, the sound of a toilet flushing echoed, and the restroom door swung open. Quick footsteps followed. “Sorry, that’s my report. It just fell out.”

Teresa looked up, holding the pregnancy report. “Cheryl, it’s really you!”

“Teresa?” Cheryl nervously averted her gaze.

Puzzled, Teresa asked, “Whose child are you carrying?”

Cheryl bit her lip, reluctant to reveal. “It’s… my secret. Let’s talk outside.”

She walked out, with Teresa following close behind.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Michael dashed past Cheryl, heading straight for Teresa. “Let’s hurry to catch the plane, or we might miss it!”

Cheryl stood frozen, her eyes widening in shock as she watched the child, who resembled Jonathan, call Teresa “Mommy.”

She asked carefully, “Could this be Jonathan’s—?”

“Let’s talk about it later,” Teresa interrupted, patting Michael’s head. “Mike, say hello to your Aunt Cheryl.”

“Hello, Aunt Cheryl,” Michael said, clutching Teresa’s leg. “Mommy, why do I have to call the pretty lady Aunt?”

“Because she’s Mommy’s sister,” Teresa replied.

Michael said, “But she doesn’t look like you.”

Teresa was once again speechless.

Cheryl was stunned, thinking, ‘How old is this kid? His logic is incredible; he clearly takes after Jonathan.’

Bending down, Cheryl ruffled Michael’s hair. “Your name’s Mike, right? Well, in a way, I am your mom’s sister.”

Michael nodded. “I see…”

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal, and Cheryl, who was also flying, realized with a start that she was on the same flight as Teresa, heading back to Nareigh.

Once onboard, Cheryl asked to change her seat to sit next to Teresa. The flight wasn’t crowded, and Michael was already fast asleep, curled up with a small blanket Teresa draped over him.

Cheryl gazed at the child’s prominent nose bridge and angular jaw, surprised. “Teresa, does Jonathan not know about the child?”

“He doesn’t know,” Teresa replied calmly, her gaze steady. “Let’s make a deal. You keep my secret, and I’ll keep yours, all right?”

Cheryl was rendered speechless, musing, ‘Did she just hold me at her mercy? But then again, with someone as stunning as Teresa, how could I argue?’

Cheryl agreed without hesitation. “I promise I won’t say anything about Mike. Just don’t let my family know I’m pregnant.”

“Okay, deal. So, who’s the baby’s father?” Teresa asked.

The question seemed to break something inside Cheryl. She collapsed into Teresa’s arms, tears streaming down her face. At just 22, she had lost herself one night at a bar, and she had no idea who the father was.

“What?” Teresa raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you check the security footage? This is serious! How could you not know who the father is?”

Cheryl shook her head, her expression pained. She had been set up by a jealous classmate. When she woke up, the person beside her was gone, leaving only a stack of money on the table. He must have assumed she was an escort.

“It only took one night, and now I’m pregnant. I’m losing my mind. What should I do?” Cheryl was devastated.

Teresa’s response was firm. “Of course, you should have an abortion. You don’t even know who the father is, and you want to keep this baby? That’s absurd.”

Cheryl was confused. “But Teresa, you still gave birth to the child even after divorcing Jonathan.”

Teresa sighed. “My situation was different. You haven’t even married or started dating, and now you’re pregnant? The only way forward is to have an abortion.”

Cheryl sniffed, her eyes filling with tears. “I understand. I’ll think it through more. But… once I’ve decided, can you come to the hospital with me? I’m too scared to do it alone.”