Chapter 41 Unforeseen Developments
In Jena, Teresa and Diana's lives were busy but fulfilling. Time had passed by, and before they even noticed it, Christmas holidays were upon them.
The two-week break put Teresa in dilemma, she didn’t know if she should just go home during Christmas vacations since she wouldn’t be able to home for the Lunar New Year. Deciding it was now or never, given her barely noticeable pregnancy, she chose to fly back to River North during the upcoming Christmas vacations.
Liam's silence on her condition seemed to signal his detachmen, although he hadn't informed her family, he just left her to wrestle with her choices alone.
On the flight back, Teresa's mind was a whirlwind of what-ifs and maybes, the little life within her was stirring a mix of fear and wonder. She pondered the potential need to make a hard decision if her family grew suspicious.
Landing in River North, she was greeted by her parents, Patrick and Sophia, who were oblivious to the storm brewing beneath their daughter's calm appearance.
Her parents' concern over her weight loss only reminded her of the secret she harbored. Teresa deflected with humor, claiming a fashionable diet was to blame. However, the truth was the first trimester had taken its toll.
The drive home was interrupted by a strange sensation of being watched, but Teresa shook it off, instead, she attributed it to her heightened state of anxiety.
Unbeknownst to her, Gabriel's eyes followed her departure from the airport. The slight bulge of her belly hadn't escaped his notice, sparking a flurry of questions and assumptions about the baby's father and Liam's involvement.
Back at home, the comfort of her old room and a hearty meal allowed Teresa to escape into sleep, in her dreams she wouldn’t have to face the complications of her real life.
However, her slumber was disturbed by a familiar presence. Liam had found his way to her bedside, his touch reigniting the turmoil she'd tried to sleep away. In the quiet room of hers, he proposed a solution that could reset their lives, but Teresa's heart was torn.
Liam's offer to handle everything discreetly, ensuring her parents would never know anything, only added to her inner conflict. She asked for time to think, a request he granted, promising to return the next day.
Meanwhile, the news of Teresa's return had spread among her friends, and Unity, keen to flaunt her new status, organized a welcome-back party. Teresa, the peacemaker, accepted the invitation, choosing to downplay her attire in contrast to Unity's display of wealth.
During the dinner, Teresa's simplicity and poise earned her the silent respect of her peers, while Unity's late arrival and ostentatious exit only served to amplify the social divide.
As they left the party together, Unity's probing questions about Teresa and Liam's relationship revealed her underlying motive, it was to plan for her next move.
Their conversation was cut short by Unity's feigned misstep, an act designed to draw attention and possibly a gateway to discuss her own secret plan. But before she could leverage Teresa's concern, an unexpected voice announced Gabriel's arrival, shifting the focus once again.
The evening's events, laden with unspoken intentions and veiled inquiries, left Teresa navigating a web of social intricacies and personal dilemmas, all while under the watchful eyes of those who misunderstood her situation and those who knew too much.
