Chapter 14
Teresa’s in dropped as she clutched the keys to a gleaming red Porsche.
“Your thank–you gift,” Jonathan said before be disappeared
Stunned, she barely registered the phone buzzing in her pocket–a call from the dealership confirming that Jonathan had indeed bought her a car, and all she had to do was sign on the dotted line.
The gift was more generous than she’d dared to imagine. She had thought a $3,000 present would be the limit, but this exceeded that by far.
As soon as Teresa got home, Miniam was all over her, dying to hear about her evening with Jonathan.
Teresa gulped down some water, her throat dry. “Nothing happened,” she stated firmly
Miriam’s eyebrows shot up. “Come on, you’re pulling my leg”
Dropping the car key on the table with a definitive clink. Teresa shook her head. I’m dead serious?
Miriam’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she sported the key. She snatched it up, turning it over in her hands. “Holy smokes! You got a new car? Where’d the money come from!”
“Just a favor for my ex, Teresa explained with a cual shrug. “This is jonathan’s way of saying thanks”
Miriam let out a low whistle. “Damn, your ex doesn’t mess around, handing over a car and-
Teresa’s forehead wrinkled in thought. “What else could jonathan have done for me she pondered
Miriam steered the chat in a new direction. “Curious, why did jonathan invite you over for dinner and not his fiancée!”
Teresa took a sip of her water before expluning. “We’re still keeping our divorce a secret from his grandpa, so we pretended everything was fine for his sake. His grandpa’s on his way back home today”
“Bet that fiancee of his is pretty ticked off, Miriam remarked with a laugh.
Teresa had the same thought and had texted Jonathan about it. Is your fiancée green with envy? But there had been no response, leaving her
DITION
Then Miriam let out a surprise 1 suspect Jonathan’s making up the fiancée thing I got this from Benny–Jonathan’s not engaged at all. He’s flying
solo”
Teresa’s eyes dropped, her voice gentle but firm. “Whether he’s engaged or not it’s a moot point. We’re not getting back together.
Miriam took a deep breath and shifted the conversation “Let’s move on from that,” she said, flicking her hand as if to sweep the topic away, “Teresa I need to talk to you about something big”
With a playful grin. Teresa teased. “Are you and Edward tying the knot?”
Miriam’s laughter filled the room. Fat chancer she joked, her tone light–hearted
As Teresa settled in, ready for the real talk, Miriam got to the point. I’ve been thinking about starting an online store, she announced.
Teresa’s eyes widened in surprise. “An online store? she echoed. That’s a bold move. Where’d you get the funds? Running an online store isn’t for the faint of heart these days, she remarked, her voice serious.
Miriam, who was currendy an assistant at a design company, had always felt like the less favored sibling at home, even with her parents‘ support.
Miriam was buzzing with ideas as she turned to Teresa. “My parents are footing the hill for our new venture. We’re launching a clothing line, and you’re in, right?
Teresa raised an eyebrow, intrigued, “Who are we gonna get to model for us?” she questioned.
at Teresa “We’ve got the perfect model right here,” she declared, her voice full of conviction
With a flourish, Miriam pointed at Ter
Teresa mused on the idea. She’d done hand modeling before, her long, elegant hands gracing a few ads for some extra cash.
Miriam, brimming with confidence, gave Teresa a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “So, are you on board? I know we’ll make a killer team” she said, her optimism contagions.
Chapter 14
Teresa voiced her doubts. “But what if it tanks! What if we lose money?” she asked.
Miriam dismissed the worry with a wave of her hand. “We’re a sure bet, especially with you in the mix, she insisted.
Caught off guard by the proposition, Teresa Laughed. “You’re really pushing me here, she remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Miriam, with a playful poke to Teresa’s cheek, teased,
- “This is your golden ticket. Haven’t you been on a money–making roll lately?”
Teresa drummed Ier fingers on the table, lost in thought. Ti already rolling with that new car and if the online shop p kicks off, it’ll be a cool way to pad my pockets
Resohnely. . Teresa said, Tm in. I’m committed to making sure we stay out of the red
Miriam’s hands met with a smack, a sign of her confidence. “We’re on track to make hank, no question, she stated firmly.
Their work schedules actually played in their favor. Teresa had the shop floor on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while Miriam took the helm on Tuesday. Thursday, and Saturday.
They both had Sundays to recharge, which meant they could step in for each other and keep the online store running smoothly.
Diving into their new venture, they were ready to work hard, Teresa was particularly motivated, knowing that Miriam was the one funding the project. She was committed to ensuring Miriam’s investment would be worthwhile.
Fresh from her evening shower, Teresa was hunched over her laptop, inmersed in work.
That’s when Michael, cozy in his paginas, strolled over and rested his chin on her shoulder. His voice was faint with drowsiness as he inquired. “Mommy, why aren’t you sleeping yet?
Glancing at her laptop through her black–rimmed glasses, which she wore to prevent eye strain rather than for clarity, Teresa said, “It’s bedtime for you, honey. Mommy’s trying to make some extra modicy for something nice”
Michel rubbed his sleepy eyes and gave a slow nod. “Alright”
Teresa leaned in to press a kiss on his cheek. “Goodnight,” she whispered.
Michael waved his little hand. “Goodnight, Mominy, he mumbled, dragging his feet back to his room for the night.
Teresa’s phone buzzed in her pocket as she watched her son leave. She took it out, surprised to see her father, Philip Johnston, on the caller ID
I had been cons since their last chat–over three years, with barely a prep from either side. Their bond was as thin as the blood that connected them.
She answered, and Philip’s voice came through, saying he was back in Narcigh and wanted to meet her.
Teresa didn’t have strong feelings about seeing her dad, but she w
was curious, so she said yes.
They met up at Blissful Dining, a place that was supposed to be filled with childhood memories. Philip looked at her with a wistful smile. “Remember all the times we came here when you were a kid?” he askeil
Teresa sipped her coffee, her response casual. “Not really,” she said, her tone flat.
Her folks had divorced when she was only live, leaving her to be mised by her grandparents. Her parents began sending money much later, as if to assage their guili
Teresa’s early maturity brought her to a swift understanding where love was scarce, money would suffice. Thus, she took the money without a second thought
in ve Teresa a sidelong glance. “Evelyn
Philip gave
me you’re cigla on cash. You really can’t come up with thirty thousand bucks!”
Teresa’s brow creased with surprise at Evelyn’s indiscretion.
by your
Philip rapped his knuckles on the table. “Come on, Jonathan’s worth billions now, and you’re his wife. You’re telling me you can’t even lay lunds on 30 grand?”
“Jonathan and I are history, she stated matter–of–factly.
Philip laughed in disbelief. “You’re pulling my leg, I said marry big bucks when Jonathan was just starting out, but you went and married him anyway. Now that he’s rolling in it, you call it quits?”
Teresa’s laughter was dry. “1 suppose wealth isn’t in the family genes,” she remarked, sarcasm tinging her words.
2:03
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Chapter 14
Philip’s expression darkened with irritation as he caught the subtle jab at his money–focused advice.
Philip and Evelyn’s marriage had been more of a business deal than a love story. Philip’s infidelity was the nail in the coffin, leading to their divorce.
Following the breakup, Philip hitched his wagon to a wealthy woman, while Evelyn forged her own path to prosperity through entrepreneurship. This contrast cast Philip in the role of a financial opportunist
Philip, his face stem, proposed to Teresa, “Consider reconciling with Jonathan. His voice smooth, he added, “I have a business plan to pitch, but he’s ignoring my calls. You two being back together might give me the chance to reach out again.”
Teresa let out a derisive lough. “You were the one who always belittled him, urging me to end things,” she retorted. “Now that he’s made it, it’s no surprise he’s blowing you off. Looks like you’re experiencing a bit of what you dished out.”
Philip’s voice was firm, leaving no room for debate. “Enough. Don’t speak to me like that. good, he stated, eyes piercing.
I’m suggesting you reconnect with him for your own
Teresa’s laughter was icy, her gaze filled with resentment. “For my own good? You never cared about my happiness, just about hooking me up with a rich guy for money. That’s your caring?”
Philip’s anger was palpable as be slammed his fist onto the table Tve paid for your education and put money into your future. Don’t you dare disrespect me!“. His face flushed with rage.
Teresa’s tone was steady, yet her words stung “You shaped me for high society, but I never fit your mold. Should I apologize for that?”
Philip’s jaw tightened. “We’re not hashing out the past. I’m your lather, and without my support, where would you be
Teresa’s gaze sharpened, her voice firm as she spoke to her father. The house in Rosary Estates was a gift from Grandpa and Grandma. They were the ones who raised me, they were my real family”
Philip snorted dismissively. Your grandparents have passed; and legally. I’m the one who should inherit that house. If it comes to it. I could have you evicted”
Teresa let out a skeptical chuckle, struggling to accept that her father would actually sue his own child over a house.
Her tone dripping with sarcasm. Teresa challengeid “Go ahead and sue. Air it all our Let everyone in Narcigh see how Philip’s trying to make his
en kid homeless just to get her back with her ex. I dare you?
Philip stood there, taken aback by Teresa’s sharp resporise. He was stunned, unsure where his daughter had found such a biting wit
Philip had no intention of suing Teresa; the house was the least of his worries. He was after investment, connections, and help to salvage his failing business. He hadn’t anticipated that Jonathan, whom he’d once dismissed, would become so successful.
He had his hopes set on Teresa remarrying Jonathan, thinking maybe that would get Jonathan to help him out. But Teresa had other thoughts on
the matter.
Philip tried to clarify, his voice tinged with annoyance. “You’re the one with the attitude, like your mom. That’s not what I’m saying”
Teresa shot back. “I’ve had it rough, no parents, so my problems aren’t a shock. Pausing briefly, she continued with a bitter edge, “Sometimes I think I shouldn’t have been born”
Philip’s finger shot out pointing at Teresa as he barked, “Your“””
He paused to compose himself, then smiled coldly. “Teresa, we rarely meet. Must we argue 1 don’t want to hurt you, Consider Jonathan–rich, influential, a key Egure in Narcigh. Isn’t making peace with him an option?”
As Philip spoke, Teresa’s expectations crumbled. She’d foolishly believed her father might be reaching out to mend fences, to see how she was doing but his words made it clear his intentions were otherwise.
With a dismissive shake of her head, Teresa said, “There’s no going back with Jonathon. He’s moved on, and so have I‘
She exhaled, her disappointment evident, as she rose from her seat. “Forget about me. Act like I never existed.”
SEND GIFT
