Chapter 252

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Teresa smiled softly and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes . “ Thanks for always saying such sweet things about me . But you know what ? You’re the real star here . You’re so handsome . You’re the most charming muffin in the whole universe ! ”
Michael quickly grabbed a small mirror from the drawer and checked himself out . “ Really ? Am I that cool ? ”
Seeing his attention shift , Teresa ruffled his hair and said with a grin , “ Of course ! You’ve got my amazing genes , so don’t you dare doubt yourself . You’re the coolest and the most handsome kid ever . ”
Michael , now comforted , wrapped his arms around her waist . “ You’re not lying to me , right ? You really don’t think I’m embarrassing ? ”
Teresa lowered her head , kissed his forehead , and shook her head . “ I took you away because I’m under a curse . If I tell anyone you’re my son , the curse will make us part ways . That’s why I keep it a secret . ”
Michael looked up at her with wide , innocent eyes . “ Mom , so as long as you don’t say I’m your son , we’ll never be apart , right ? ”
“ That’s right . We’ll always , always be together , just like now . I’ll love you and protect you forever , my sweet boy . ”
Snuggled in Teresa’s arms , Michael quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep .
Teresa carefully worked on piecing Jonathan’s autograph back together .
After more than an hour , she finally finished . Even though the pieces were glued back together , the torn words could never be the same . Her fingers gently traced over Jonathan’s name , as if trying to hold onto something that was already lost . She flipped to the previous page and found another autograph from Jonathan .
Seeing the word “ Handsome ,” Teresa couldn’t help but smile . She remembered how casually Jonathan had added the word when she asked for his autograph . Back then , before reconnecting with Jennifer and moving in with Evelyn, it was just her and Michael .
Life was simple , but it was happy . She longed to return to that happiness , a thought that had been lingering in her mind for days .
The next morning , Teresa woke up to find Evelyn had already prepared breakfast . Keeping her tone calm , Teresa told Evelyn she was heading to buy groceries . She asked Evelyn to wake Michael up later and help look after him .
“ Are you still upset about the notebook from yesterday ? Do you really have to talk to me like this ? ” Evelyn asked .
“ I’ll check if there are any nice notebooks and buy a few more , ” Teresa replied before heading out .
Before leaving , she placed the repaired autograph book on Michael’s bedside table , hoping that when he woke up , he’d see it and feel a little happier .
Teresa loaded up groceries at the supermarket . She bought Michael’s favorite beef , Evelyn’s caviar , and diapers for Isabel . Most of it was for her family . She barely bought anything for herself .
“ If I spend more on myself , there’ll be less for you . I’ve gotten used to putting you first . ”
Jonathan’s words echoed in her mind , bringing back memories of him wrapping an arm around her , the two of them laughing as they shopped together , pushing a cart filled with groceries .
Teresa snapped out of her thoughts , catching her reflection in the glass of the yogurt section . Her face looked tired , and the space beside her was empty .
When Teresa returned home with her shopping bags , Evelyn’s sharp voice greeted her from the other room . “ Mike , you need to watch your words . Isabel is just starting to learn how to talk , and she’s very impressionable . Don’t teach her bad habits . ”
“ Grandma , I promise I won’t mess up Isabel’s learning , ” Mike replied timidly .
At that moment , Teresa saw her son standing there , so small and cautious , like he was afraid to even breathe . Her heart clenched , a sharp pain stabbing through her chest . “ Mike , ” she called softly .
Hearing her voice , Michael bolted toward her , throwing himself into her arms . “ Mom , you’re back , ” he said , his voice filled with relief .
Even his voice sounded hesitant . Teresa set down the shopping bags and gently ruffled his hair , sensing the fear lingering in him . She took a deep breath and asked , “ What happened ? ” But Mike just shook his head , refusing to speak . Teresa shot Evelyn a cold look .
“ Have you noticed that Mike speaks with a bit of an accent ? He’s almost three . Sometimes he mixes up ‘ dat ‘ and ‘ that . ‘ Isabel is at the age where she’s learning to talk , and I don’t want her picking up bad habits from him . ”
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Teresa clenched her fists tightly , then released them . Her voice was firm and unwavering as she declared , “ Fine . We’ll pack up and leave right now . That way , he won’t ‘ mislead ‘ your daughter . ”
This time , Teresa was serious . There was no hesitation , no second – guessing , and certainly no concern for Evelyn’s feelings . She was done . She had already started packing their belongings at lightning speed .
“ I’m only saying this for Mike’s own good . You have to start teaching kids early , ” Evelyn tried to reason .
“ Our parenting philosophies are completely different . He’s not even three yet , so why are you being so harsh on him ? And even if he needs discipline , you don’t get to criticize or scold him . ”
“ I’m his grandmother , and I’m your mother . Everything I do is for your benefit . I cook for you , don’t I ? And yet , you always twist my good intentions into something bad . ”
Teresa let out a cold laugh . “ Oh , really ? The meals you cook are always what you and Isabel like . Have you ever asked what Mike or I want to eat ? And who changes Isabel’s diapers most of the time ? ”
As she spoke , Teresa angrily dumped the groceries she had bought onto the table . The items were scattered everywhere . ” Take a good look at them yourself ,” she said coldly .
Evelyn protested , “ You’re all my treasures , you , your sister , and Isabel . I love all of you . Why do you insist on seeing me as heartless ? If I didn’t care , would I have spent so much money on you in the past ? ”
“ That’s all in the past , ” Teresa replied , her tone icy . “ I’ve already said I’ll continue giving you money from the company dividends in the future . You and Isabel can stay here . If there’s anything work – related , just contact me online . ”
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