Chapter 972

“Who splashed me?” Donald grumbled, blinking awake. But when he saw Jonathan’s stern face, he instantly sobered up. He staggered to his feet.

“Jonathan, what are you doing here?” Donald mumbled, still a bit out of it.

“Your ex-wife’s trial is in three days,” Jonathan said flatly.

“What? That fast?” Donald blurted out, still in disbelief.

“You think it’s gone by fast?” Jonathan shot back, his tone sharp. For him, every single day had dragged on like forever, except for those rare moments when Teresa was awake. That was the only time he felt even a little better.

No one could ever truly feel what someone else was going through. Right at that moment, Jonathan couldn’t possibly understand what Donald was feeling. But some things just had to happen.

“Jonathan, let me go to jail instead of Jennifer. Watching her suffer there is killing me. I really can’t take this anymore…” Donald begged, feeling completely desperate.

“You can’t take it? This is just the start,” Jonathan shot back, his frown deepening.

Donald bowed his head, eyes brimming with tears. Jonathan couldn’t be bothered to say another word. He just turned and walked away.

Donald cried out in pain, “Jennifer has suffered enough. She’s the most miserable woman I’ve ever known…”

Jonathan didn’t respond. He just kept walking.

Irene had been brought back. In just over a week, she’d dropped about five pounds. She was noticeably tanner, too.

She swore she’d never go back, no matter what, and begged Jonathan not to send her away again. But Jonathan wouldn’t budge.

“You’re treating me like this just because of Teresa? Do you have any idea how much you’re breaking my heart?” Irene snapped.

Jonathan clenched his fists. “I’m going to see Fiona first.”

“Let me see my grandson. He’s out of the incubator now, isn’t he?” Irene shouted, her voice shaking with desperation.

“I’m not letting you see him unless Teresa agrees,” Jonathan said firmly. But honestly, there was no way Teresa would ever let Irene see the baby.

Irene’s lips quivered with rage. “Why won’t you let me see my grandson? Why are you all treating me like this?”

Jonathan thought, ‘In just a few days, Irene hasn’t changed a bit. She is still exactly the same.”

“I’m really tired, so don’t say another word,” Jonathan said flatly. “Jennifer’s trial is tomorrow. You have to be there. Just show up and get it over with. Do it as a favor to Donald.”

“Why should I do anything for Donald?” Irene snapped. “That wretched woman deserves at least three years behind bars, no matter what.”

“Have you said enough?” Jonathan stared at Irene. “Will you only be satisfied when the whole family is torn apart?”

Irene looked completely defiant, like she had nothing left to lose. “How is this all my fault? The Johnston family’s sisters deserve everything they’re getting. If Fiona knew her star student had broken the law, she’d be so disappointed.”

“That’s enough. Just don’t tell Fiona about this,” Jonathan said sharply.

Actually, Fiona had come back, too. Jonathan put her up in a different room. He told Irene to stay put in her room, then headed next door to find Fiona.

Fiona was writing. Whether she was calm or restless, she always turned to writing. Her brush seemed to move as if guided by something beyond herself. The more she wrote, the calmer she felt.

“Jonathan, you’re here. Come and sit down,” Fiona said.

Jonathan agreed, his gaze dropping slightly. “I’m sorry for sending my mom over and causing you trouble.”

“We’re family. There’s no need to stand on ceremony,” Fiona said, a trace of guilt in her eyes. “It’s my fault. I didn’t do a good job disciplining your mom.

“All these years, I haven’t given her enough guidance. She really takes after me. When I was young, I was just as stubborn and forceful.”

Jonathan made a sound of agreement, and then Fiona added, “Your mom raised you from a little boy. There’s no greater debt than a mother’s love. Try to be understanding toward her.”

Jonathan said, “I try to understand her, but she’s never once tried to understand me.”