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“ Are you done ? ” Jonathan shot back calmly , though there was a clear edge of irritation and coldness in his eyes .
Edward’s big grin disappeared . “ What , you think my guess
is wrong ? ”
Benny shook his head . “ Honestly , your theory is even crazier than mine . There’s no way Jonathan would do that . ”
Edward looked totally confused , while Benny forced a smile and turned to Michael again . “ Hey Mike , let me ask you something else . Does Teresa usually
take care of you ? Do you stay with her a lot ? ”
Michael had been eating , but out of nowhere , tears started rolling down his cheeks .
Jonathan bent down , picked Michael up , and gently ruffled his hair with one hand . “ Hey , don’t listen to these two weird guys . I’ll take you outside for a
bit . ”
Michael clung tightly to Jonathan’s neck .
Edward glared at Benny . “ This is all your fault . Who asks a kid such weird questions ? ”
“ Weird ? You’re the weird one . Didn’t you see Jonathan’s face ? He looked like he wanted to kill you . Seriously , what goes on in your head ? ”
“ Why not ? You see it all the time in TV dramas – rich people are always worried they’ll be too old to have kids , so they freeze their , you know , stuff . ”
“ That doesn’t work on Jonathan , ” Benny said seriously . “ He’d never do that . ”
“ Why not ? ”
“ Because all he thinks about is getting back together with Teresa . ”
That finally clicked for Edward . He hurried after them , just as Jonathan was about to leave with Michael in his arms . “ Wait up , bro ! Sorry , I totally put my foot in my mouth today . Don’t be mad ; just pretend I was talking nonsense . ”
Jonathan frowned , “ You’re not a kid anymore . Think before you speak . Some things just shouldn’t be said . ”
“ I was just guessing . I mean , he really does look a bit like you … ” Edward’s voice trailed off .
Jonathan handed Michael over to the driver . Once the boy was in the car , he finally turned to Edward . “ So , what did you want to tell me about Teresa
today ? ”
“ Teresa went to see Irene . I think she wants to get back together with you . ”
“ What ? ” Jonathan’s usually somber eyes suddenly lit up .
Edward came clean . “ I actually heard it from my mom . Irene was venting to her . She said Teresa came by with gifts , and from the way she talked , it sounded like she wanted to get back together with you /
“ Irene was really upset and didn’t want Teresa and you to make the same mistakes again , so she complained to Heidi about it .
“ My mom thinks Teresa’s only interested now because you’ve got money and power , but I told her Teresa isn’t like that . ”
Jonathan pressed his lips together , thinking that maybe this was what Miriam had wanted to tell him , “ Alright , I get it ,” he said , then got into the car .
Inside the car , Michael sprawled across Jonathan’s Jap . “ Mr. Lime , what’s wrong ? Are you upset ? ”
Jonathan let Michael hold his hand , but his mind kept replaying what Edward had said . His eyes flickered with mixed emotions .
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“ Mr. Lime ? Mr. Lime ? ”
Michael called out a few times before Jonathan finally responded with a quiet “ Yeah ? ” Michael asked , “ Edward said we look alike . Is that true ?
Jonathan gave a faint smile . No matter how gentle he tried to be , there was still a bit of distance in his eyes when he looked at Michael
“ Mike , happy birthday again . ” He stuffed a gift into Michael’s arms . “ Wishing you a happy life . I’ve got something to take care of , so I’ll drive you home
now . ”
“ Mr. Lime , can you give me a hug and let me sit on your shoulders ? ”
Jonathan granted his wish . All the way to Miriam’s place , he let Michael ride on his shoulders , holding his small hands . Michael wished the walk could last a little longer .
Across the street , Jennifer sat in her Mercedes , gripping the steering wheel as she caught sight of the sweet scene . She pretended not to notice , trusting Teresa hadn’t confronted Jonathan yet .
Jonathan dropped Michael off at Miriam’s and headed out .
“ Where’s Edward ? ” Miriam asked Jonathan .
“ He’s out having drinks with Benny ,” Jonathan replied .
Miriam’s eyelid twitched . After Jonathan left , she quickly turned to Michael . “ Who did you have lunch with today ? ”
After getting the answer , Miriam thought for a moment and decided to let Teresa know .
Teresa came to pick up Michael . Miriam said , “ Benny didn’t cause any trouble , did he ? I had no idea he’d be there ; otherwise , I wouldn’t have let Mike go
out . ”
“ It’s fine ; don’t worry about it , ” Teresa said . “ If Benny wanted to stir things up , he’d come test me first . ” She took Michael and left .
“ Mom , Mr. Lime gave me a gift , ” Michael waved the gift in his hands .
Teresa’s eyes dimmed a little . “ Sweetie , Mommy bought you toys , new clothes , and new shoes . Let’s have a proper celebration tonight , okay ? ”
Michael nodded , letting Teresa hold his hand , and then started showing off again in his childish voice . “ Mom , Mr. Lime even let me ride on his shoulders . ”
At the Lynn residence , Jonathan sat across from Irene . After hearing what he said , Irene finally understood . “ So you’re here to question me ?
“ I haven’t even asked you yet . Why did you take your ex – wife with you on a business trip to Shaville ? Do you really think that’s appropriate ? ”
“ We’re both single . Why wouldn’t it be appropriate ? ” Jonathan shot back .
“ How is that appropriate ? Didn’t you promise me you’d move on ? ”
“ Why can’t I move on , with her ? ”
Jonathan’s offhand reply sent waves through Irene’s heart . She stared at him in disbelief . “ You’re going to drive me crazy . You finally got out of that mess , and now you want to jump right back in ? What could she possibly give you ? ”
“ Happiness . Fulfillment . Just being with her makes me happy . She gives me motivation and something to look forward to . Isn’t that what being together is all about ? ”
Irene wanted to argue back , but couldn’t find the words .
Jonathan tapped his long fingers on the table . “ Don’t change the subject . I’m asking you . Did Teresa come to see you ? What did she say ? Did you give her
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a hard time ? ”
Irene let out a cold laugh . “ She said she owed you money , that she went to Shaville with you just to pay you back . But from the way she talked , it was obvious she wanted to get back together . Do you really think I’d be okay with that ? ”
“ Forget about whether she wants to get back together . I’m asking if you said something harsh to her . ”
“ I was just being honest . I told her to give up , to stop shamelessly clinging to you , and to quit showing up wherever you are . ”
At that , Jonathan’s face turned stormy . “ Call her . Apologize . ”
“ What did you say ? ” Irene stared at him , thinking she’d misheard .
“ You heard me ; apologize to her . Or I’ll go myself and do it for you . Your choice . ”
AD