Chapter 212
211 211
211. 211
Benny had promised Edward 300 bucks in exchange for a strand of Jonathan’s hair . The absurdity of the deal made Benny chuckle to himself . It was his first time using money for a trade , and of all things , it was for a single strand of hair . Edward handed over the hair , but Benny hadn’t even finished inputting his fingerprint for the transfer when he held up the long strand with a skeptical look . “ Come on , kid . You really think this long hair is your brother’s ? ”
“ I did my best , alright ? I searched his clothes forever and only found this one strane Edward protested , looking a little embarrassed .
Benny smirked and snapped his fingers . “ If it’s from his clothes , then it’s gotta be Teresa’s . Works for me . Let’s see what the test says . ”
Edward frowned , clearly puzzled , “ What are you even trying to do , Benny ? ” Benny said the little boy they’ve met looks like Jonathan .
“ You mean Mike ? Yeah , I’ve noticed it too . But my mom said Jonathan had already done a DNA test , and the kid’s not his , ” Edward replied .
“ I won’t buy it for a second . I did a test myself , but I need to do it again to be sure , ” Benny said firmly .
If the results came back negative this time , he’d swallow the loss – even if it cost him 300 thousand dollars . A bet was a bet , after all .
Edward sighed . “ Benny , so that’s why you wanted his hair ? You’re just overthinking it . That kid is Miriam’s nephew , plain and simple .”
“ How could he be Miriam’s nephew ? I’ve known her for years , and she doesn’t have a sister – only a younger brother , ” Benny
countered .
“ Maybe he’s her cousin’s kid ,” Edward suggested , not to argue with Benny but to defend Miriam . He genuinely thought she was a good person – honest and down – to – earth .
“ You’re too naive . You believe everything women say . Once you’re out in the real world , you’ll figure out that not everyone’s as honest as they seem . Not that I’m saying anything bad about Miriam , of course ,” Benny added with a smirk .
Benny left without another word .
Teresa had gone back to the Teresouth Group to handle some work . With nothing on his schedule , Jonathan rolled up his sleeves and decided to cook .
“ Wow , it smells amazing , Mr. Daddy Lime . ” Michael leaned against the kitchen door , his eyes sparkling as he looked up at the tall Jonathan .
“ I’m making chicken soup . Want to try some ? ” Jonathan asked with a smile .
“ Yes , please . ” Michael ran over excitedly . Jonathan picked him up and ladled a small spoonful of soup for him to taste . “ This is so good ,” Michael exclaimed , covering his cheeks with his hands . “ It’s so good . ”
Jonathan chuckled at the boy’s dramatic reaction . “ I’ll whip up a few more dishes . Once Ms. Johnston gets back , we can all sit down to eat . ”
Michael giggled mischievously . “ Mr. Daddy Lime , the beautiful lady you mentioned before – it’s Ms. Johnston , isn’t it ? ”
“ She is a beautiful lady ,” Jonathan admitted , a hint of pride in his voice .
Michael leaned in close , whispering into Jonathan’s ear , “ Mr. Daddy Lime , I’ll let you in on a little secret . That beautiful lady likes you too . ”
Jonathan froze for a moment , his eyebrows lifted in surprise .
“ It’s true . Remember when we went to watch Paddington ? She went to grab my scarf , and I noticed it smelled like you . So I asked her about it , and she said she liked you . But shh , don’t tell her I told you . She’s got her pride . ”
Jonathan’s gaze flickered , as if stars had suddenly lit up in his eyes . Seeing his silence , Michael grew anxious , thinking he wasn’t believed .
“ It’s true , I swear . I’m not lying . ” Michael insisted earnestly .
“ When she gets back , I’ll ask her myself ,” Jona ‘
Successfully unlocked !
Michael grinned . “ If you two get together , I’ll ter . Pour another secret .
Jonathan raised an eyebrow . “ What secret ? Why can’t you tell me now ? ”
“ I can’t say it yet . If I do , I might not be able to stay here anymore . I don’t want to leave you , Mr. Daddy Lime . And … And … ” Michael hesitated , his voice growing softer .
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I’m scared I might embarrass Mom . She never says it , but I can feel it , Michael said , his words coming out in a halting . anxious rush
Jonathan gently cupped Michael’s face . I’m sorry for the things you’ve had to endure . I can’t fully understand your feelings , but I promise you this you can stay here as long as you want . I just want you to be happy .”
Teresa was swamped with work at Teresouth Group , catching up on several days ‘ worth of tasks . She pulled out her anti- blue light glasses from the drawer , knowing her eyes would ache from staring at the screen for too long .
Jonathan called her while she was still busy , but instead of waiting , he showed up at the company with Michael , who had fallen asleep after dinner .
When Teresa stepped out of her office , Jonathan saw her wearing glasses for the first time . He couldn’t help but be captivated , his gaze lingering on her .
“ I made dinner and even cooked chicken soup for you . The food’s gone cold , and you still haven’t come back . This little guy insisted on coming with me to find you , Jonathan said .
Teresa’s eyes fell on the sleeping child , and a flicker of guilt flashed beneath her glasses . She had earned money but neglected her son . Life , it seemed , was always a compromise .
“ I came back to the office and saw this mountain of files . I don’t even know how long it’ll take to finish them , Teresa sighed , feeling overwhelmed .
Jonathan gently placed Michael on the sofa , making sure the child was comfortable . “ Let me help you , ” he offered .
“ No , it’s fine . I can handle it myself , ” Teresa replied quickly .
“ You like me , don’t you ? No need to be shy about it ,” Jonathan teased .
Teresa froze in shock . She thought , ‘ How does he know ? ‘ Her eyes darted to the sleeping child , searching for answers .
“ Michael told you ? ” Teresa asked .
Teresa felt a pang of embarrassment at the mention of “ Michael .” She glanced at Jonathan’s expression , but he seemed unfazed , maybe even mistaking it for “ Mike .”
“ Looks like he really did say something ,” Jonathan remarked , his lips curving into a playful smile . “ You like me . ” { need to get back to these files , ” Teresa said hurriedly , trying to change the subject .
Jonathan stepped up behind her , leaning close . His hand rested on the desk , and his firm chest brushed against her back . “ You’re so slow . Just admit you like me , and I’ll help you finish this in no time ,” he said , his voice low and teasing .
Teresa let out a frustrated sigh , nudging him with her elbow as her cheeks turned red . “ Can’t you be serious for once ? You ‘ re so annoying .”
Jonathan took the opportunity to wrap her in his arms , his long , slender fingers guiding hers as they marked up the documents together .
“ We were married , after all . Is it so hard to say you like me ? ” he murmured .
Distracted by his playful provocations , Teresa found it impossible to focus . Jonathan wasn’t much better – when she turned her face slightly , he leaned down and kissed her , unwilling to let go .
Breathless from the kiss , Teresa protested , “ Jonathan , we can’t keep doing this . ”
“ What do you mean ‘ this ‘ ? ” Jonathan asked , his lips brushing against hers before pulling back slightly . “ You moved out of Rosary Estates and called me , saying you wanted to stay at my place . You’ve been teasing me all this time . ”
“ I was just … ” Teresa faltered , the real reason right in front of her but impossible to voice . The frustration was suffocating . Teresa stopped resisting his kisses , letting him take the lead .
‘ I’m sorry , she thought to herself .
Her mind had been in turmoil for days , especially over the possibility of being pregnant again . She’d have to do it secretly . Even asking her sister Jennifer’s hospital for help was out of the question – she feared Jennifer’s scolding .
If Jennifer found out , she might insist on an abortion . If she really was pregnant again , then this time , she’d leave for good . Once , he had walked away without looking back ; now , it would be her turn to leave Nareigh completely .
Jonathan , oblivious to Teresa’s thoughts , finished the work and took her hand to leave . Just as they reached the door , he remembered Michael . Jonathan scooped up the little one with one arm .
His phone buzzed incessantly in his pocket – he had work to attend to as well . Back at Forlisle Rose Estates , he watched Teresa drink chicken soup and eat a little . Only then did his furrowed brow finally relax .
“ I need to head to Archulea for a few days . When I’m back , if your period still hasn’t come this month , let’s go to the hospital together , alright ? ” asked Jonathan .
711 Chapte 211
The warm chicken soup in her hands couldn’t melt the icy resolve in her heart . Teresa nodded slightly unable to say a wond while a flicker of determination to leave fisshed in her eyes
Jonathan leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead , whispering softly , “ Be good
In her heart , Teresa silently thought , I’m sorry , Jonathan
Jonathan’s flight was scheduled for the early hours of the morning . He was rushing to leave so he could return sooner . planning to catch some sleep on the plane
Before leaving , he spoke a few words to Teresa .
“ This villa is yours to stay in as long as you like . I’ve hired two top notch nannies , they’ll be here tomorrow to take care of you ‘
He paused briefly before continuing . “ And next time I’m back , if Mike’s mom still doesn’t come to pick him up , call me ra contact her myself . Since she’s shameless , you don’t need to feel embarrassed either
Teresa , who always had a sharp tongue , found herself at a loss for words whenever this topic came up She wanted to ask him , ‘ How exactly do you plan to talk to his mom ? Because the woman standing right in front of you is her
Snapping out of her thoughts , she responded helplessly , “ Got it . ”
Her mind was already made up . By the time Jonathan came back , she’d be long gone from Nareigh
There would be no need for a DNA test or a call to the child’s mom , because by then , she would have disappeared without
a trace .
Even after talking like this , Teresa felt the distance between them hadn’t changed . He still didn’t understand her , and she couldn’t figure him out . They were two mismatched souls , destined to repeat the same mistakes if they stayed together “ Will you come to the airport to see me off ? I’ll have the driver bring you back , ” Jonathan asked , his gaze fixed firmly on her face .
“ Alright , ” Teresa agreed , her eyes misting with tears . She decided to treat this as their final goodbye .
Jonathan had no idea what was going through Teresa’s mind . He even thought she was opening up to him . At the airport , as he prepared to board his flight .
Teresa noticed the collar of his coat was slightly askew . She stood on tiptoe to adjust it for him , saying , “ You’re a big shot now , you should pay more attention to your image . ”
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