Chapter 363

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Jonathan crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his head against the window , staring outside . He refused to look at Irene .
Irene just couldn’t keep her frustration in . She slapped Jonathan’s leg and said , “ Tell me the truth . Did Teresa go to Everport to see you again ? Did you two meet up ?
“ And you even took her to a business party ! Is she the one clinging to you ? ”
Jonathan’s eyes snapped open , icy cold . The look in his eyes startled Irene . It was the first time she’d ever seen him so cold and impatient .
Jonathan said , “ Does it really matter who’s chasing who ? I told you , stay out of things between me and her . ”
“ I’m your mother ! How can I not care ? You’re still single , ” yelled Irene .
Jonathan sighed , “ I’m thirty already . Donald’s about to get married , and look at me … Yeah , I guess I brought this on myself . I accept it . ”
Irene argued . “ Why do you think like that ? You’re just as stubborn as your dad . Can’t you just change your mindset and find someone better ?
“ Jonathan , you have so much going for you – why can’t you see it ? It’s not too late to start looking now . ”
Jonathan got impatient . “ I’ll move forward . You don’t need to worry about me .”
“ You ! ” Irene sniffled . She pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to her eyes .
She continued , “ You keep saying I shouldn’t worry , but you’re my only son . How could I not care ? Do you know Teresa’s sister called me a widow ? Do you know how much that hurt me ?
“ All these years , I’ve given everything to you . When you were little , I poured my heart into your studies and your future . Now , for your marriage , I’m doing even more . Why can’t you understand your mom ? ”
As soon as Irene finished , Jonathan suddenly snapped , “ Was it I who made you a widow ? ”
Irene froze , staring at Jonathan’s flushed , drunken face . “ Jonathan- ”
Jonathan interrupted , “ Mom , I’m your son , not your husband . If you find someone suitable , go for it . You don’t have to keep saying you’re living like a widow because of me .
“ You’re not living your life just for me , and I’m not living mine just for you . Even if I stay single my whole life , that’s my choice . ”
He ordered the driver , “ Stop the car .” The driver looked lost , so Jonathan repeated , enunciating every word , “ Stop the car . I’m getting out now .”
With a screech , the car stopped .
Jonathan slammed the door and stumbled out , not even sure where he was going . Maybe it was the alcohol , but for once , he finally let everything out .
Irene snapped back to reality and got out of the car too . She knew Jonathan was drunk , but he’d already hailed a cab and left .
She kept calling Jonathan , but he kept rejecting her calls . Then he sent a text : [ I’m fine . Just go home . ]
Jonathan rubbed his aching forehead , leaning his head back against the seat . The taxi driver glanced at him in the mirror and asked , “ Where to , sir ? ”
Jonathan’s frown deepened . “ Rosary Estates , ” he blurted out and then slumped back in his seat .
When they reached the gates of Rosary Estates , the driver’s reminder pulled Jonathan out of his daze . He got out of the car , and the night air hit him with a chilly bite , sobering him up a little .
He wandered over to the building where Teresa lived , standing alone under the streetlight for a while . He looked up , staring at the window where the
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lights were still on .
“ Whoa , it’s Mr. Lime ! ” Michael , who was lying on the balcony counting stars , spotted Jonathan from the tenth floor .
“ Mr. Lime ! ” The little guy waved at Jonathan , but he was too far away for Jonathan to hear him .
“ Mom , look ! It’s Mr. Lime ! ” Michael ran over to tell Teresa , but she was on the phone , looking serious , and didn’t pay him any attention .
Seeing that Teresa was still on the phone , Michael just opened the door and ran out by himself .
Jonathan finally tore his gaze away and turned to leave . Teresa’s words echoed in his mind : “ Jonathan , I want to move ori . ”
They’d promised not to bother each other anymore . There was no future for them anyway . He’d come here just because he didn’t know where else to go , not to disturb her .
“ Mr. Lime ! ” Michael hurried after Jonathan , but Jonathan had already gotten into a car and driven off .
Michael chased after the car for a few meters , but it just got farther and farther away . He pouted , and tears started to fall . “ Mr. Lime , why won’t you talk to
me ? ”
The property manager had just stepped away to use the restroom when he came back and saw Michael crouched by the door . The sight startled him , and he quickly brought the boy back inside .
Teresa was still on the phone , and when she spotted Michael , she froze , not sure when he sneaked out .
“ Mommy , Mr. Lime ignored me . He just left … ” Michael whimpered , clinging to Teresa’s leg .
Teresa covered the phone and quickly said , “ Cathy , I get it . My mom can handle my sister’s engagement . I won’t be going .”
She hung up in a hurry . She’d been on the phone with Cathy the whole time .
Cathy had messaged her on WhatsApp to let her know that Jennifer and Donald were planning to get engaged .
The engagement was set at the beginning of the month . Teresa had no idea Jennifer was getting engaged . Jennifer hadn’t told her a thing .
Cathy said , “ Maybe your sister just hasn’t figured out how to tell you . The two of them really like each other , and Hayden’s already given his blessing . He also hopes you can come . It is your sister , after all . ”
Teresa politely declined , saying she was too busy to make it .
But Cathy saw right through her . “ Donald told me you’re back in Nareigh . You should have some free time , right ? The engagement party’s local , too . ”
“ I’ll think about it , ” Teresa replied , just trying to brush Cathy off . She was so caught up in the call , she hadn’t even realized Michael had slipped out .
Cathy hung up , looking puzzled as she stared at her phone .
Donald walked over and asked , “ What’s up , Mom ? ”
Cathy finally spoke , still confused . “ I was just on the phone with Teresa , telling her you and her sister are getting engaged next month . come so both families could have dinner together . But … ”
She hesitated , “ I think I heard a kid call her ‘ Mom I’m not sure if I misheard . ”
d she could
Donald suddenly remembered something – Michael’s face flashed through his mind . Back in Everport , he’d definitely heard that kid call Teresa “ Mom ”
too .
But Jennifer had explained it wasn’t her sister’s child , just a poor kid who was desperate for love and called her that .
“ Hey , do you think Teresa’s become a stepmom ? ” Cathy asked Donald , clearly gossiping.
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“ No way , Mom . That’s impossible , ” Donald waved her off . “ You’re overthinking it . Maybe it was just the TV in the background .”
“ But I heard it really clearly . And there was something about ‘ Lime ‘ or something – I didn’t get it at all . ”
“ Really ? ” Donald suddenly thought of something else , his suspicion about the little guy growing even deeper .