Chapter 989

“Leave? Where are you going?” Benny continued to stare at Jonathan, whose eyes flashed with a fleeting glimmer.

Jonathan swirled the wine in his glass, then downed another glass in one go. “I’m not staying in Nareigh anymore,” he said.

“You’re leaving Nareigh again?” Benny pressed. Jonathan had only just come back after finally making a name for himself.

‘Now he’s leaving again? Where could he possibly be going this time?’ Benny couldn’t help but wonder.

“I need to pay back what I owe,” Jonathan said.

“What do you even owe? Are you in debt or something?” Benny was even more lost. But Gary seemed to get it. He pressed his lips together, grabbed the glass next to Jonathan, and poured himself a drink.

“Jonathan, if you’re leaving, I’m leaving, too. I’m done with this place,” Gary said.

“Just stay here and keep an eye on Teresa and the boys. If they need anything, help them out. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of,” Jonathan told him.

“This isn’t about money,” Gary sighed. “I’m just as worn out as you are.”

Jennifer was in jail, and the two families were at each other’s throats.

Benny raised an eyebrow. “You two are both leaving? What kind of debt are you talking about?”

Benny wondered if Jonathan owed money or something. ‘Is it from when the company went public? Wasn’t that all settled ages ago?’ he thought.

Jonathan replied, “A love debt.”

“Wait, you mean there’s someone else besides Teresa? Who do you owe this ‘love debt’ to?” Benny blurted out.

“It’s not just about love. There’re also family ties,” Jonathan said. After saying that, he clenched his fists tightly and knocked back another drink.

What Irene had said really made him reflect. Maybe he was undeniably responsible for how things had ended.

He’d been so busy with work, hardly ever home, neglecting so much. Even when he noticed Irene didn’t like Teresa, he brushed it off, always thinking Irene just needed time to accept his sudden marriage and that things would work out eventually.

He never thought Irene would end up hurting Teresa that badly.

Irene felt like ever since Jonathan married Teresa, his whole heart belonged to Teresa, and she no longer mattered to him as his mother. Feeling neglected, she took all her frustration and resentment out on Teresa.

Jonathan realized that while Irene had hurt Teresa, that pain was, in a way, also caused by him. He was indirectly responsible for it.

He’d missed a lot of important signs, like why Teresa kept bringing Irene up to him.

Since Teresa wouldn’t tell him the truth, he just brushed it off. He kept himself buried at work, ignoring all the family issues, always thinking that money could fix everything.

Jonathan thought, ‘But people are never satisfied. The more they have, the more they want, and that sense of imbalance just keeps getting worse.’

Jonathan said with a meaningful look, “Only the one who tied the knot can untie it. Maybe if I leave, the knot will finally come undone.”

He gave a bitter smile. Gary sighed, “Jonathan, I feel for you. This one’s for you. Cheers.” He raised his glass and clinked it against Jonathan’s.

Jonathan said he couldn’t drink anymore. If he kept going, he’d get wasted. He still had to go home to take care of the kids, and he didn’t want to show up reeking of booze and scare them.

Benny let out a sigh. “Teresa just had the baby, and you’re already leaving? Just come back soon, alright?” With that, he took the drink meant for Jonathan and downed it himself. The night felt endless.

The prison walls closed around Jennifer. It was only her third day since the sentencing, and she’d be stuck here until next autumn.

All ties to the outside world were cut off. The only glimpse of freedom was the tiny window above her head, letting her catch a sliver of moonlight at night. Oddly enough, Jennifer didn’t find prison life all that bitter.