Chapter 234

233. 233
Teresa crouched down and gently touched Michael’s face . “ Sweetheart , let’s forget about Mr. Lime , okay ? Let’s go back to the life we had before , just the two of us ,” she said softly .
It was not just the two of them anymore . There was another little one on the way .
She didn’t know if it would be a boy or a girl , but it didn’t matter . She would love this second child just as much as she loved Michael . The three of them would face the future together .
Time would heal all wounds . She believed Jonathan would eventually find the right woman , someone who could give him a new family and new children .
She no longer clung to the man she claimed not to love , though only she knew the truth of her feelings . Even if she were to remarry Jonathan now , it wouldn’t bring happiness . It would only lead to more misery than before .
Irene hated her , Simona and Truman plotted against her , Jennifer would never accept their remarriage , and Evelyn wouldn’t recognize her as a daughter . The kids would get caught in the family feud , and even the unborn baby might not be safe .
Only by leaving could she truly end everything .
Tears welled up in Michael’s eyes . “ Mommy … we’re really not coming back , are we ? ”
Teresa’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears , but she forced a gentle smile . “ Of course , we’ll come back , sweetie . I told you we would , didn’t I ? Why wouldn’t we ? ”
“ But , it feels like we’re never coming back , ” Michael whispered , his big eyes blinking as tears rolled down his cheeks .
“ We’ll come back . We’re just going to visit Grandma and Heidi for a while , ” Teresa reassured him softly . She couldn’t bring herself to say they would not come back . It would be too cruel , and she knew Michael would throw a tantrum , refusing to leave .
“ It’s time to board now . I got us first – class seats this time . It’ll be a fun experience , you’ll see , ” Teresa said , trying to sound cheerful .
Michael kept glancing back as they walked forward .
Teresa had planned everything meticulously . Jonathan couldn’t see her leaving with his child . No explanation would ever suffice if he did .
Just then , her phone rang . Seeing Miriam’s name on the screen , Teresa answered .
“ Teresa , Benny just called me . He asked if you were leaving Nareigh and where you were headed . I think Jonathan put him up to it , ” Miriam said .
Teresa’s grip on the phone tightened as unease crept into her heart . “ And then ? ” she asked .
Miriam said , “ I couldn’t lie to him . Otherwise , he’d check flight records . Benny is sharp . If he finds out about Michael , you won’t get away . Are you at the airport now ? Maybe change your flight . What if Benny and Jonathan show up to stop you ? ”
“ Don’t worry , Miriam . I’ve got everything handled ,” Teresa said .
Teresa had told Truman how exhausting it was to be with Jonathan , how it had pushed her to the brink . After all that , it was impossible for him to come after her .
Jonathan probably just wanted to know her flight details to quietly watch her leave .
“ Mommy , is something wrong ? ” Michael , wearing a creamy white mask , reached out and tugged at Teresa’s sleeve .
Teresa glanced at the time . There were still two hours until boarding . She sighed and said , “ Sweetheart , why don’t you go say goodbye to Mr. Lynn ? ”
“ Mr. Lynn ? ” Michael blinked , his face full of confusion .
“ Yes , from now on , you can’t call him Mr. Daddy Lime anymore . Just call him Mr. Lynn , okay ? Be a good boy . ” Teresa’s tone was gentle but firm .
Starting today , Michael needed to adjust to the change .
Teresa left the airport with Michael . As they walked , she pulled out her phone and called Sherry . She needed with something important .
rry’s help
The two women split up . Teresa went to meet Benny , while Sherry pretended to be Michael’s mom and took him to see Jonathan . Teresa had already rescheduled their flight . They would still head to Fernlandia , just a bit later .
Jonathan had heard that Teresa was leaving today . Even during his meeting , he couldn’t focus , his thoughts in disarray . In the end , he couldn’t convince himself to stay indifferent . He paused the meeting and decided to step out .
Just as Sherry’s taxi arrived at Horizonlead Group , Jonathan was preparing to leave for the airport . Suddenly , a voice called
out from behind him . “ Mr. Lime . ”
1/2
233 233
His steps faltered . He turned around , his gaze searching .
Through the open taxi window , Jonathan saw Michael’s tearful face . Behind him , Sherry’s expression came into view .
A wave of realization hit Jonathan . Michael was leaving too .
Michael darted out of the taxi and ran straight to Jonathan , throwing his arms around Jonathan’s leg in a tight hug . Mommy said I can’t call you Mr. Daddy Lime anymore . She said I should call you Mr. Lime now . ”
Jonathan didn’t argue . He crouched down , ruffling Michael’s hair before tidying the buttons on his shirt and straightening the collar of his jacket . A wave of reluctance washed over Jonathan as he looked the boy
Even though Michael wasn’t his child , the memories they shared were irreplaceable . “ Mike , the truth is … I’m not your dad . ”
Michael’s eyes brimmed with tears , his voice trembling . “ But I thought the ADN test would make you my dad . Why can’t you be my dad ? ”
Jonathan hesitated and then asked gently , “ Has your dad … never come to see you ? ”
Michael nodded vigorously , his small face clouded with sadness .
Jonathan didn’t know what to say . All Jonathan could do was apologize , for not being the father Michael longed for , for not being able to give him the love he deserved .
Michael clung to Jonathan’s coat , his clear eyes swimming with tears . “ Mr. Lime , Mommy is taking me to visit Grandma . I don’t know when I’ll be back . I’ll miss you . Please don’t forget me , okay ? ”
Jonathan smiled , “ I won’t forget you . Next time I’m driving , maybe I’ll spot a little guy peeking through a window at my car . I Il say , ‘ Is that Mike back again ? ‘ And when you cover your face and run away , I’ll know it’s you . ”
He extended his broad hand , and Michael placed his tiny palm against it . They clapped their hands together three times , a silent promise of their bond .
Then Jonathan wrapped his hand around Michael’s and said gently , “ Real men don’t cry easily . Be strong , okay ? Take good care of yourself .”
“ Mr. Lime … goodbye … ” Michael sobbed , his small shoulders trembling as he clung to Jonathan .
Jonathan made a quick call to his assistant , instructing her to prepare a generous gift with 20 thousand dollars inside . Then he picked up the heartbroken little boy , gently wiping away his tears .
Even though Mike was crying his heart out , Jonathan still had to hand him over to Sherry .
From the taxi , Sherry watched the emotional farewell between them , feeling a deep pang of guilt . But Teresa was already set on leaving . She thought , ‘ If I tell the truth now , what kind of person will I be ? I’ll be betraying Teresa .
‘ More importantly , Jonathan will definitely hold Christian accountable for keeping the truth hidden when Christian was his former secretary . If that happened , Christian’s career would be over .’
Sherry cared most about Christian’s future . She couldn’t be the one to ruin him .
Jonathan handed Mike to Sherry and said , “ He told me you’re taking him to visit his grandma . Take good care of him . ”
Subscribed