Chapter 145

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Teresa pulled out a scarf from the paper bag and handed it to Michael . “ I got you a scarf . ”
Michael tilted his head . “ Mommy , it took you two days to get me this scarf . ”
“ Uh , yeah , well , at least I brought it back for you ,” Teresa replied .
Feeling a bit guilty , she walked into the room with Michael following her . As she took off her coat , Michael noticed her neck , and quickly said , “ Mommy , your neck is hurt ! ”
Teresa paused , suddenly realizing something . She grabbed a silk scarf from the bedside and hurriedly tied it around her neck . “ I’m fine . I just accidentally scratched myself while asleep last night . ”
“ Mommy . ” Michael narrowed his eyes , which were identical to his father’s , and said , ” You’re acting odd . ”
Teresa was flustered . “ W – What ? What do you mean ? Don’t look at me like that . ”
Michael sniffed in Teresa’s direction , then put his hands on his hips . “ You smell like Mr. Lime . You were with him last night , weren’t you ? ”
Teresa broke out in a cold sweat , wondering who her son took after , with such a sharp nose and acute sense of smell . She protested , “ I – I wasn’t hanging out with him . I hardly know the guy ! ”
“ Then why do you smell like Mr. Lime ? ” Michael probed .
“ He’s a guy , not a butterfly . How could he have any scent ? ” Teresa voiced .
Michael said , “ I caught this scent when Mr. Lime carried me . Now you have it on you .
too . ”
Teresa stammered , “ T – That’s because … you left your scarf at the movie theater and he took it . I just went to get it from him , that’s it . We met briefly ! ”
“ Oh . ” Michael stroked his chin . “ Did you meet him briefly ? But you didn’t come back all night . ”
Teresa did not know what to say .
“ Mommy , Mommy ! ” Michael tugged at Teresa’s sleeve , eyes shining brightly . “ Do you like Mr. Lime ? Is that why you went to be with him yesterday ? ”
“ I – I don’t like him , not even a bit , Teresa denied . “ All right . I’m going to change now . Go out and close the door behind you .”
“ Okay , ” Michael replied .
Successfully unlocked !
Once he left , Teresa took off her uned it . There was no trace of Jonathan’s scent . She wondered how Michael managed to catch it .
When Teresa came out of the room , Michael approached her again . “ Mommy , there’s
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