Jennifer had reunited with Teresa, and all she wanted now was to live with her and Michael while focusing on her career, She believed that if Teresa committed to her work, they could both excel in their fields and raise a child together without difficulty.
However, Michael shook his head. “I don’t want to leave, Aunt Hannah, I like it here. I don’t want to go.”
Jennifer opened her mouth to respond but stopped when she saw tears welling up his eyes. Panicking, she quickly wiped them away, pressing her lips together. She decided to drop the topic.
That night, Teresa came home late. Jennifer was still awake and greeted her warmly. Jennifer said, “I made some supper. It s still worm in the pot. You should eat something. You must be hungry”
Teresa shook her head. “Tm fine. I’m not hungry Mom was discharged from the hospital today. Her husband didn’t pick her up, so I drove her home.”
Jennifer nodded. “Okay. Get some rest. It’s good to have you back. I’m heading to bed.”
“Good night, Hannah, Teresa said, watching Jennifer retreat to her room. She could tell Jennifer still cared about Evelyn, even if she tried to hide it.
Before heading to bed, Teresa peeked into Michael’s room, as she always did. “Is my little muffin asleep?” she whispered.
There was no response. The room was dark, and she assumed he was asleep. But as she turned to close the door, something felt off. The blanket on his bed was bunched up strangely, trembling slightly as if something underneath were moving.
Alarmed, Teresa switched on the light and rushed over. Pulling back the blanket, she found Michael curled up, his face streaked with tears. “Mommy… Michael opened his arms, asking for a hug.
Teresa’s heart ached as she scooped him up, stroking his soft hair. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Were you waiting for me? Or were you worried about me?”
Michael sniffled, burying his face in her shoulder. “Aunt Hannah said we’re leaving here and never coming back.” Teresa frowned, thinking. ‘Why would Hannah say that to him?’
Michael tugged on her sleeve. “Mommy, is it true? Are we leaving for good? Does that mean I’ll never see Mr. Lime again?” Teresa was quiet for a moment. Leaving was inevitable, but she hadn’t yet prepared Michael for the idea. She said gently, Remember the last time we moved? We moved once and went to Lonisburg.”
Michael nodded. “Yeah, but we came back because Mr. Lime got sick.”
His words stirred something in Teresa. Back then, Jonathan’s high fever had broken her resolve, and she returned. Since then, she had stayed. Moving on would require strength, especially with the challenges Teresouth Group was facing Jennifer had brought up the idea of moving so many times, urging Teresa to leave as soon as possible. Even while she was in the hospital, Jennifer had asked over and over when they would be leaving Nareigh, But Teresa had never given her a clear answer.
That night, Teresa held Michael close, telling him stories and singing lullables until his tears dried and he finally fell asleep Only then did she leave his room and head to Jennifer’s
She hesitated, planning to address the issue in the morning, thinking Jennifer had already gone to sleep. But the next moment, Jennifer’s door opened
Jennifer stood there, looking wide awake. “I couldn’t sleep. I was just coming to check if you were still up.”
Teresa sighed. “Hannah, we need to talk. Why did you tell Michael about us leaving like that?” She knew they were leaving soon, but she didn’t want to bring it up around him right now.
Jennifer replied, “I’m just being honest. It’s better to rip off the band–aid now. You don’t want Mike getting too attached to his biological father”
Teresa’s voice grew sharp. “Michael is two and a half. He’s just a little boy! I don’t want to lay it all out for him like that!” Jennifer countered, “I wasn’t being harsh. I just told him that once we leave Nareigh, we won’t be coming back. He needs to understand that. We went through worse as kids.”
Teresa’s frustration boiled over. “I’m not Evelyn, and Jonathan is nothing like Philip! I would never let Mike go through what we did. No matter how hard or exhausting it’s!
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Her voice became almost pleading. “You’re my sister, Teresa. I just want the three of us to be happy and move forward Teresa stared at her for a long moment and finally said, “I’m tired, Hannah. Let’s talk about this tomorrow. Get some sleep”
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Michael said, “That doctor from the hospital! The one who kind of looks like Mr. Lee”
Teresa thought, Donald would be perfect Having previously married into the Lynn family, she knew Jonathan’s relatives well Donald was polite, well–mannered, kind, and had a respectable, drama free personal Me
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