Chapter 695
694
One after another , they broke down in tears , begging Jonathan for mercy .
But there was nothing he could do about Cheryl .
Cheryl chose to help Teresa hide the truth and decided not to tell him about Michael . That wasn’t illegal . Jonathan couldn’t sue Teresa or Cheryl for it , nor was there any need to do so .
Realizing Jonathan would settle accounts later , Cheryl , ever so quick – witted , quickly scooped up her child and came to plead for forgiveness .
At first , Jonathan was furious that everyone around him had lied to him and kept him in the dark .
But what hurt Jonathan most was the emptiness and cold sense of betrayal that settled in after the anger faded .
He believed he had treated his family and friends well , but this was how they repaid him .
“ That’s enough , ” Jonathan said as he waved his hand , his voice stripped of any brotherly warmth . He sounded as if he were speaking to strangers . “ You can all leave now . I’ve made everything clear . ”
“ Jonathan , ” Cheryl cried , her voice breaking as she clasped her hands and tears poured down her cheeks , “ please don’t be angry anymore . Just tell me what I can do to make it right , I’ll do anything you ask . ”
“ No need , ” Jonathan replied . He couldn’t even bear to look at Cheryl anymore .
Jonathan dismissed them coldly and continued , “ Is there anything else ? I need to pick up Mike from the hospital , so I won’t be seeing you out . Please leave . ”
“ Jonathan … ” Cheryl whispered , unwilling to leave , her eyes brimming with tears as she pleaded for his forgiveness .
Donald gently took Cheryl by the arm and said , “ Let’s go back . ”
“ Jonathan , we’ll be going now , ” Cheryl said , but Jonathan remained silent . As the eldest , Jonathan always saw his siblings to the
door .
With that , Donald and Cheryl left together . Cheryl held Serena in her arms , her tears falling onto Serena’s face and waking her . Cheryl then gently soothed Serena for a while .
Cheryl asked Donald , who was driving . “ Do you think Jonathan is angry with us ? ”
Donald , his eyes brimming with tears , said , “ I think Jonathan is more heartbroken than angry . He probably feels that we’re no longer worthy of his trust . ”
Cheryl sniffled and continued , “ It’s my fault , I should’ve told Jonathan earlier , but I was so scared you’d find out I was pregnant and make me abort it . I didn’t know what to do / 1 just wanted to protect my baby . ”
Donald sneered , “ What were you thinking ? You kept the baby without knowing who the father was . Look where that’s gotten you . Honestly , I’m at a loss for words . ”
“ Serena is innocent , isn’t she ? ” Cheryl said .
Donald glanced at Cheryl’s child , his niece Serena .
1/3
694
He thought , I don’t even have a kid of my own yet , and Cheryl is already a mom .
I can’t believe I’m already an uncle .
‘ In two years , this little one will be calling me Uncle . How could I scold Cheryl now ? Serena is already here , and she’s innocent
“ Are you planning to raise Serena all by yourself ? ”
“ Yes , that’s my plan . I’m going to raise her well , all by myself .”
Donald thought for a moment and said , “ We should tell Mom about Serena and talk it over together .”
Cheryl nodded . This time , she’d follow Donald’s advice .
“ Then what about you and Jennifer ? She knew about Mike , too . Do you think Jonathan will confront Jennifer about it ? ” Cheryl
asked .
Donald suddenly fell silent . He glanced at his phone , but there was still no word from Jennifer . He shook his head and offered not further explanation .
Jonathan returned to the hospital . The DNA test results were out and were identical to Gary’s previous test results .
Jonathan summoned the company’s legal counsel .
The attorney explained , “ Mr. Lynn , since you’ve confirmed paternity through a DNA test , you’re legally recognized as Michael’s father . Though he was born after your divorce , he holds the same legal rights as a legitimate child . ”
“ Exactly , ” Jonathan said firmly . “ That’s why I had this DNA test done . He’s my flesh and blood . I could never deny him . ”
He knew deep down that Michael might be the only child he’d ever have .
Under current inheritance law , a DNA test is only legally valid if personally undertaken by the individual concerned .
Now that Jonathan has personally acknowledged Michael as his son , Michael is now entitled to all corresponding rights , including child support from his father .
“Mr. Lynn , if the child’s maternal grandmother files for monthly child support payments in court , you’ll be required to appear .”
“ Her ? Suing me ? ” Jonathan scoffed , snapping back to
court . ”
A cold smile tugged at his lips . “ Let her try . I’d be glad to face her in
“ Mr. Lynn , are you considering taking legal action against Ms. Johnston ? Should our legal team begin preparing for a custody battle ? If you decide to move forward now , we’ll make thorough preparations . ”
Jonathan fell silent and didn’t answer the question .
After a long pause , he dismissed the lawyer . “ No need to prepare anything else . Just leave the DNA results , ” he said .
* Understood , Mr. Lynn . I’m at your disposal anytime .”
Jonathan headed back to Michael’s hospital room .
604
As Jonathan was about to enter the elevator , he noticed a stavily pregnant woman standing alone , about to pi aside to let her go first .
“ After you , ” Jonathan said politely .
“ Thank you , ” the pregnant woman murmured , cradling her belly as she gave Jonathan a small , grateful nod .
Jonathan waited for the next elevator , and his brow furrowed deeply .
That pregnant woman reminded Jonathan of Teresa . He wondered , “ Did Teresa face pregnancy , childbirth, and raise the child all alone ? She never told me about it .
“ Why didn’t she tell me ? Was it because she didn’t want to remarry me ? Did she despise me that much ?”
The elevator arrived , and Jonathan stepped into it .
The elevator glass reflected his face . Lost in thought , he didn’t notice that heartache was the strongest emotion showing on his
face .
The night stretched endlessly until dawn . Time seemed to crawl , each minute dragging like an eternity . Teresa stayed awake , not sleeping a single moment .
With Michael still not home , Teresa sat on the bed all night . It was the first time Michael hadn’t come back . Though she’d left him with Miriam many times before , she’d never felt this unsettled .
Teresa gripped her phone and wanted to call Michael , but saw his kiddie phone was at home . She thought , ‘ He must be thrilled with Jonathan , having so much fun he’s not even thinking about me . I shouldn’t call right now . ”
Left alone and lost , Teresa could only stare at the letter she’d written to Jonathan before planning to leave .
The letter revealed she learned she was pregnant with Michael after the divorce and chose to raise him alone . But suddenly , she didn’t want him to know , fearing he’d accuse her of playing the victim .
Teresa tore the letter into strips , one by one , then tossed them into the trash .
The emerald bracelet still lay on the table , Teresa studying it pensively .
Suddenly , a hand snatched the emerald bracelet away .
AD
Comment
Send gift