Chapter 437

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“ What kind of favor ? ” Jonathan sounded distant , his mood clearly off .
Miriam finally spoke up . “ You remember Mike , right ? His birthday’s tomorrow , and I just found out he really looks up to you . I was hoping you could join us for his birthday dinner . Just spend a little time with him . Would you do me this favor ? ”
Jonathan was quiet for a couple of seconds . He really wasn’t in the mood to have dinner with a kid he had nothing to do with , even if the little guy was actually pretty cute and likable . “ I might not be free , ” he said .
“ Oh , come on , just help me out this once . If you do , I’ll tell you something about Teresa . Deal ? ” Miriam coaxed .
Jonathan’s eyes narrowed a bit . The next moment , he said , enunciating each word , “ I’m not interested in anything about her . ” He hung up , set his phone aside , and kept driving .
At Rosary Estates , even though Teresa was feeling under the weather , she kept forcing herself to stay up , waiting for Miriam to reply . Miriam finally called , sounding helpless , “ Jonathan didn’t really give me a straight answer . He just said he might not be free tomorrow . ”
Teresa frowned , “ I promised Mike that Jonathan would spend his birthday with him . If I can’t make it happen , he probably won’t even talk to me anymore . ”
Miriam let out a sigh . “ Well , maybe you should just come clean with him . Honestly , your ex didn’t sound great – he said he’s not interested in your business anymore . ”
Teresa suddenly felt a lump in her throat and lowered her head . “ I know . He’s completely disappointed in me . I already gave him back our wedding ring .”
“ What , the wedding ring ? ”
Teresa took a deep breath . “ My problems are my own , but Mike’s just a kid . I still want Jonathan to be there for his birthday . Miriam , can you help me think of something ? ”
Teresa could stay out of sight . Just for that one day , she wanted Jonathan to spend time with Michael .
Miriam said , “ How about I ask Edward to talk to Jonathan ? He’s his cousin , after all . ”
“ Don’t tell Edward that Mike is my son . ”
“ Relax , I’m not clueless . I won’t say a word . I’ll just have Edward invite Jonathan out for a meal , and bring Mike along so they can celebrate his birthday
together . ”
Teresa thought that sounded good . Michael really liked Edward , too . “ Thanks , Miriam . And thank Edward for me . ” Teresa started coughing .
Miriam sounded worried . “ Is your cold still not better ? Did you take your medicine ? I can make you some soup and bring it over. ”
“ No need , ” Teresa sniffled . “ Just let Mike sleep at your place tonight . ”
On one hand , she didn’t want to pass her cold to Michael . But more than that , she was just exhausted . She really needed a good night’s sleep and didn’t have the energy to look after Michael right now .
It was the middle of the night when Benny helped Jonathan out of the noisy bar and into his car .
Benny handed him a bottle of water , looking exasperated . “ You haven’t called me in ages , and the first thing you do when you get back to Nareigh is drag me out for drinks . Did something happen ? ”
Jonathan leaned his head back against the seat , closed his eyes , and swallowed hard . “ It’s nothing , ” he muttered .
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Benny sighed , “ Is it something with your company , or is it Teresa again ? If it’s work , I probably can’t help much . But if it’s her , what happened this time ? ”
Jonathan turned his face away in silence . “ Don’t bring her up . There’s no chance for us anymore , ” he said quietly .
Benny chuckled ; he’d heard that line more than once . He shook his head . “ Honestly , sometimes I regret introducing you two . Maybe you would’ve been better off just as friends . ”
Jonathan didn’t respond . What Benny didn’t know was that the first time Jonathan saw Teresa wasn’t at that introduction . Jonathan pressed his forehead against his hand , his voice rough . “ Just drop me off at Luviston Estates . ”
Benny glanced at him in the rearview mirror , thinking Jonathan might want to stay at Förlisle Rose Estates again , maybe even at the place he and Teresa used to share . But he just did as asked , drove into Luviston Estates , and pulled into the complex .
Benny helped Jonathan out of the car . The cool night air .
air seemed to
sober Jonathan up a bit , and he waved Benny off .
Benny said , “ Seriously , Jonathan , look at your two cousins . One’s about to get married , the other’s dating Miriam . It’s time for you to start over , mari . Don’t keep holding on . ”
Benny wasn’t saying Teresa was a bad person – they were both his friends . But if it was not meant to be , maybe it was time to let go .
Jonathan shot him a look . “ With you still single , why should I be in a rush ? ”
Benny couldn’t help but laugh , and then said confidently , “ If I wanted a wife , I could find one in no time . ”
Jonathan just snorted and ignored him .
After making sure Jonathan could handle himself , Benny finally drove off .
Jonathan lay alone on the bed in the master bedroom , memories of the past still crystal clear . He pulled the ring from his pocket and quietly slipped it onto his ring finger . It still fit perfectly .
He spread his fingers , staring at the ring for a long time . The moonlight fell across his slender knuckles , cool and silent . At last , he took the ring off , put it back in its box , and tucked it away in the nightstand .
He pulled out his phone and finally noticed the message Edward had sent him two hours ago .
[ Hey bro , how about lunch tomorrow ? I want to talk to you about working at Horizonlead Group , and there’s something about Teresa , too . I’ll tell you over food . ]
Jonathan pressed his lips together , then quietly replied : [ Tomorrow at noon . You get one hour . ] After sending it , he turned off his phone .
Miriam called Teresa first thing in the morning , practically bursting with excitement as she told her that Jonathan had finally agreed to have lunch with Edward . Edward had already booked a restaurant for noon , and Miriam planned to have Edward bring Michael along too .
“ That’s a load off my mind , ” Teresa replied . After a good night’s sleep , she wasn’t as dizzy as yesterday , though her face was still p place this afternoon to pick up Mike after they’re done eating . ”
“ I’ll swing by your
“ Alright , let’s do that . ”
After hanging up , Teresa was startled by a sudden , heavy knock at the door . She frowned , and her good mood instantly vanished when she saw Jennifer standing outside so early .
Teresa opened the door but didn’t let her in , shooting her a look that clearly asked what she was doing there .
Jennifer blurted out anxiously , “ Are you really going to talk things out with your ex – husband today? Please , I’m begging you ; don’t do this to me . I’m planning to register my marriage with Donald ahead of schedule . ”
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“ Really ? ” Teresa’s eyes flickered .
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