Chapter 98
Cheryl stepped in and said , “ I’ll handle the DNA test . I’ll choose the expedited option so we can have the results in 24 hours . ”
Hayden nodded , trusting Cheryl completely . “ All right , I’ll leave it to you . ”
“ Don’t worry , Grandpa . And Irene , you too . I’ll update you both as soon as I get the results ,” Cheryl assured them . Irene gave a nod as Cheryl carefully collected hair samples from Jonathan and Michael , sealing them in a bag with precision .
While Irene felt certain the test would settle everything , Jonathan’s firm denial of being the child’s father planted a small seed of doubt in her mind .
Hayden shifted the topic , suggesting Michael stay the night . Michael , however , clung tightly to Jonathan’s neck , refusing to let go .
“ Mike , why don’t you stay here ? I can make you something really delicious , ” Irene coaxed gently .
Michael’s eyes lit up momentarily at the mention of food but dimmed again as he shook his head . “ I’m shy , ” he mumbled . “ I don’t like staying at other people’s houses . ”
“ I’m not a stranger , ” Irene said with a light chuckle , but Michael stubbornly held on to Jonathan , shaking his head with the same firm resolve .
Jonathan frowned slightly . “ Don’t push him . I’ll take him to my place for the night .” Michael’s face broke into a bright smile at Jonathan’s words .
Hayden stayed on the porch , watching Jonathan’s car drive away with Michael safely inside . Finally , he sighed and allowed Cheryl to guide him back into the house .
“ The kid wasn’t this shy when we first met . ” Hayden sighed .
“ Maybe he’s just nervous around new faces ,” Cheryl replied . “ He hasn’t met Irene before . ”
Irene stiffened at the comment , her sharp gaze landing on Cheryl . “ What’s that supposed to mean ? Are you saying I look scary ? ”
Cheryl coughed awkwardly . “ Not at all . Well , I’d better get going to handle the DNA test . Wish me luck !
*****
Jonathan didn’t take Michael back to his place after all . Instead , he dropped the boy off at Christian’s house and left without further ado . He never once encountered Michael’s supposed mother during the process .
Once Jonathan had gone , Christian brought Michael to Teresa . “ How did it go today ? ” she asked eagerly .
Michael puffed out his chest with pride . “ I was amazing ! I think I deserve a perfect score of 200 for my behavior ! ”
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Teresa looked amused . “ Really ? You didn’t talk too much , did you ? ”
Michael held up three fingers . “ I said less than three sentences ! I’m shy , you know . ”
Teresa suppressed a laugh . “ Sounds like you did great ! In that case , I’ll keep my promise . We’ll have Pizza Hut at home tomorrow . ”
“ Yay ! ” Michael cheered . “ But can we get Domino’s Pizza instead ? I’m kind of craving it .
Teresa smiled and patted his head . “ All right , we’ll get both . But take it easy – your cold just got better . We don’t want you overdoing it . ”
Michael nodded enthusiastically . ‘ As long as I get a bag of chips first ! ‘ he thought .
“ Mommy , ” Michael began hesitantly , “ why hasn’t Mr. Lime said I’m his son yet ? ”
Teresa froze . The words “ he’s not your dad ” lingered on her lips but wouldn’t come out . Instead , she tousled his hair softly . “ Grown – up things are complicated ,” she said finally . “ But doesn’t he treat you well ? That’s what matters . ”
After she tucked her son into bed , Teresa’s phone buzzed .
Christian had transferred 15 thousand dollars to her and sent her a message : [ Mrs. Lynn , this is from Mr. Lynn . He wanted to thank me for letting him spend the afternoon with Mike . Mr. Lynn is Mike’s father, but I only got the money because of my lie . I feel too ashamed to keep it . ]
He continued to explain : [ I’ve worked for Mr. Lynn for two years , and he’s been nothing but generous . Hiding this from him feels wrong . Maybe you should tell him the truth . ] Teresa stared at the message before glancing at her son . ‘ Maybe it’s time to tell him ,” she thought . It’d be better to hear it directly from her.
She then responded to Christian’s message : [ Christian , don’t feel guilty . I’m the one who should apologize . I dragged you and Sherry into this without considering how your two would feel about it . Please keep the money , and I’ll speak to him about Mike soon .
Christian replied with a crying sticker. Teresa sent one final message : [ I mean it . Please keep the money . I promise I’ll talk to Jonathan soon . ]
The expedited DNA test Cheryl arranged for returned quickly , and the results were undeniable – Michael wasn’t Jonathan’s son . Hayden and Irene were deeply disheartened .
Michael bore such a striking resemblance to Jonathan , and they found it hard to believe that the two weren’t father and son .
A heavy sadness hung over the Lynn residence .
“ Grandpa , Irene ,” Cheryl said , trying to ease the tension . “ I had this test done at two separate testing centers . The results are the same . He’s really not Jonathan’s child . Please , don’t keep hoping otherwise . There will be grandchildren someday .”
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It was little consolation as they couldn’t help wondering when would that “ someday ” come . Only Jonathan wasn’t frazzled by the ordeal . He had long insisted that Michael . wasn’t his son , but no one believed him .
“ Come with me for a moment . ” Irene , wiping a tear from her cheek , pulled Jonathan aside to the study .
“ I thought I finally had a grandson , ” she said , her voice cracking with emotion . “ If Mike . were yours , I wouldn’t keep pushing you to date . But since he’s not , you need to get serious about meeting someone . You’re 30 now . You can’t stay single forever . ” Jonathan furrowed his brows . “ I’ve told you already , Mom . There’s only one person I care about . I don’t have feelings toward anyone else . ”
“ And how would you know
“ You don’t give anyone else a chance ? ” Irene countered ,
her voice growing sharper . “ You don’t even try ! The few times you meet someone , your leave after five minutes . How can anyone fall for you when you’re like that ? ”
Jonathan paused , but his response was firm . “ What I said earlier still stands . I won’t change my mind . ”
“ You’re going to drive me mad ! ” Irene exclaimed , lightly pounding her fists on his arm . And to think I raised you alone after your dad passed .”
She continued , “ You were always such a sensible child . You got into Querencia University at 16 , finished your PhD at Alorian Institute of Technology by 19 , and now your career is soaring . Why is love the one thing you can’t figure out ? ”
Irene had been praying for the day her son’s soulmate would finally appear .
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