Teresa thought for a moment before responding, “Why don’t you ask a trusted friend to go with you? After all, I’m not your sister-in-law anymore.”

Cheryl shook her head. “I didn’t tell anyone about this; not even my closest friends.” She had kept everything a secret. After her period was late, she quietly traveled to a nearby city, where she discovered she was pregnant.

Cheryl sighed, her voice tinged with frustration. “I just went to the restroom for a moment, and somehow, you saw the test results. Now, only you know I’m pregnant.”

Teresa frowned. Cheryl was only 22, pregnant, and didn’t even know who the father was. Cheryl had always been kind to her, often siding with Teresa before the divorce. They would shop together, spending time like sisters.

“Okay. Take some time to think about whether you want to have an abortion, and let me know. I’ll go with you,” she finally said.

“Thank you so much,” Cheryl said.

Back in Nareigh, Teresa and Cheryl parted ways. Teresa sent Michael to Miriam’s home before heading to Luviston Estates. When she arrived, Donald opened the door, informing her that he had just put Jonathan on an IV drip.

As Teresa stepped inside, she saw Jonathan reclining on the couch in dark blue loungewear, receiving an IV. His face was pale and haggard, and for a moment, their gazes met.

He then glanced at Donald. “You can leave now.”

Donald nodded, grabbing his coat and keys. “Off I go. Teresa, once the drip finishes, can you remove the needle for him?”

Teresa nodded. “Got it.”

Donald left in a hurry, and as soon as the door slammed shut, Jonathan asked, “Where have you been?”

“Can’t I go on a business trip?” Teresa asked, shrugging off her coat. The heat from the room and the warmth of her turtleneck sweater made her feel a little too warm.

Jonathan pressed, “I mean, where did you move to? And why did you move?”

Teresa frowned. “I moved because I wanted to. Why do I have to explain everything to you?”

Jonathan’s expression hardened. “Your… Can’t I show a bit of concern?” Teresa glanced at him. “If you still have the energy to care about me, then you don’t need much looking after. I’m leaving.”

Jonathan reached out to grab her sleeve with his free hand. “No way.”

Teresa turned around. “How about I make you some gruel? It’s good for your stomach.”

Jonathan nodded. “Could you hand me the tissues on the table? My nose won’t stop running.”

As Teresa observed Jonathan’s reddened, runny nose, she couldn’t help but think back to when Michael had the same symptoms during his fever a few days ago. “Like father, like son,” she thought.

“You don’t think you’ve caught the flu, do you?” Teresa asked.

Jonathan shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s from waiting outside your house all night in the cold.”

Teresa didn’t reply.

After cooking the gruel, she felt a small sense of pride in her growing culinary skills. She set the bowl aside, looking at the almost empty IV bag. “Let’s remove the IV before you have your gruel.”

Jonathan nodded.

Teresa leaned down to peel the tape from Jonathan’s hand, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her fitted sweater accentuated her curves, causing Jonathan’s throat to tighten involuntarily.

Though they had been intimate after their divorce, things were different. He remembered how things had been between them, how he would have eagerly sought intimacy with her even while unwell.

“I’m taking it out now. If it hurts, just bear with it,” Teresa warned.

She swiftly pulled the needle out, and a few drops of blood seeped from the puncture. Teresa immediately reached for a cotton swab to apply pressure to the wound, but before she could, Jonathan seized her hand.

“Here, hold the swab yourself,” Teresa said.

Jonathan asked, “Can you hold it for me? And maybe grab some more tissues?”

Thinking his nose was running again, Teresa passed him a tissue, only for Jonathan to wipe his nose and reveal blood. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Are you okay? Why the nosebleed?”

“Maybe it’s just the fever. I’m fine,” Jonathan replied.

Teresa was about to suggest calling Donald again when her phone rang. It was Michael. She glanced at the screen, quickly silenced the call, and pocketed her phone. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to the bathroom.”

Once she was in the bathroom, Teresa texted Michael: [What?]

Michael asked: [How’s Mr. Lime doing?]

Teresa responded: [He’s fine.]

Michael: [Send him my regards, wish him a speedy recovery, and remind him to get plenty of rest.]

Teresa replied with an angry bird sticker: [Got it.]

When she exited the bathroom, the gruel was finished, and Jonathan was in another bathroom washing his face. His phone kept ringing, but Teresa didn’t answer it. As he came back, she told him, “Your mom’s called several times.”

Jonathan frowned, ignored Irene’s call, and typed out a message while his expression remained tense.

“My mom wants to see Mike, your roommate’s son,” he explained.

Teresa tried to remain calm. “Really? Why does your mom want to see him?” Jonathan didn’t answer. Instead, he dialed Christian’s number. “Christian, I need to borrow your son for a while. I’m taking him out for a meal.”

Christian stuttered. “M–Mr. Lynn, he’s not at home. His dad brought him out.”

“Let me know when he’s back,” Jonathan demanded.

“All right, Mr. Lynn,” Christian answered after some hesitation.

Meanwhile, Teresa quietly clenched her hands.

In the evening, Teresa made a bowl of gruel with a touch of pumpkin and quietly left while Jonathan was in the bathroom. She placed a note next to the gruel: [Stick to gruel for the next few days. If you’re still unwell, call Donald. I have work.]

Teresa headed to Miriam’s place, where she found that Michael had just fallen asleep. She then recounted the events of the day.

“What?” Miriam exclaimed in surprise. “Jonathan wants to take Mike back? Oh no, if his family sees Mike, they’ll start making assumptions. This could turn into a huge mess.” She thought, ‘After all, Mike looks just like his dad.’

Teresa knew that. On her way to Miriam’s place, Christian called her, completely losing it and asking how long he had to keep putting on an act.

‘We can’t keep Mike hidden forever. There’s a saying that goes “The most dangerous place is often the safest spot.” Maybe it’s time to let Mike go to the Lynn residence, so his family can finally give up any hope they have left,’ Teresa thought, finally deciding to call Cheryl.

The next morning, when Michael woke up, Teresa told him, “Mr. Lime wants to invite you over to his place for a visit.”

Michael’s eyes widened, and he covered his cheeks with his hands. “Oh my gosh, I’m not ready to meet the family yet!”