Chapter 1044

Jonathan’s expression darkened. He asked, “What else did you say?”

Irene shot back stubbornly, “Nothing else.”

“And you expect me to believe you?” Jonathan said coldly. He stared out the window, his eyes flickering with complicated emotions.

He said, “I remember when I bought my first Maybach, you told me, ‘Son, I always knew you could make it!’ Later, I bought you a villa.

“I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me. When I have money, my first thought is to make sure you have a good life. But aside from you, I also wanted the other woman who stuck with me through thick and thin to be happy.

“But what have you done? Whenever I’m not around, you just keep hurting her.”

Irene shot back, “It’s not me hurting her—she’s the one hurting you: watching you drink yourself into a stupor, seeing the rumors back home that your company’s going under. I’m your mother—how could I just sit back and do nothing?”

Jonathan frowned and said, “That’s really none of your business.”

Irene said, “You’ve done more than enough for Teresa. There’s no need to keep being so nice to her. Why don’t you just fight for custody and have the kids with you? Don’t you miss them?”

Jonathan sneered, “Now you suddenly care about the kids, huh?”

“Of course I miss my two grandsons. Don’t you miss them?” Irene shot back.

Jonathan could never stop missing his kids. He missed them when he was working, when he had nothing to do, when he was eating, even when he was lying in bed at night.

Whether it was the kids or Teresa, they were always on his mind.

“I miss them too,” Jonathan said, standing up and walking over to the window. He gazed out at the dazzling city lights and the forest of skyscrapers.

Then he added firmly, “If you miss them, then just live with it.” He wanted Irene to know exactly how it felt to ache for the kids and not be able to see them.

Ever since Teresa said those things in court, he knew there were some debts he had to settle himself.

Irene looked frustrated. When she saw Jonathan uncork a bottle of red wine, she let out a heavy sigh. She said, “Jonathan, please stop drinking. Don’t do this to yourself. You’ll wreck your body if you keep this up.”

Jonathan stayed silent, still drinking.

Irene rubbed her forehead, feeling completely helpless. Ever since he moved abroad, all Jonathan did was work and drink himself numb.

“Why don’t you just find yourself a new woman?” she blurted out.

Jonathan shot back, “How would I dare? Wasn’t it you who said I was neglecting you? If I found someone new, you’d just complain I was ignoring you again. Isn’t this better?

“I wait on your hand and foot like you’re the queen mother—besides work, all I do is keep you company. Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”

Irene had that sinking feeling of shooting herself in the foot. She protested, “This is so not what I wanted.”

Jonathan just shrugged, completely unfazed. He asked, “Alright then, what is it you really want?”

“I want to enjoy some real family happiness. I want you to bring my two grandsons to live with us,” Irene blurted out.

“Go ahead and keep wishing, but the kids are never coming here. All you get is me,” Jonathan said coldly.

Irene was on the verge of a breakdown—Jonathan had really pushed her to her limit. She finally snapped, “What do you want from me?”

Jonathan replied calmly, “Me? Isn’t this me being a good son? I’m just paying back all the time and company I owe you. However long you want me here, that’s how long I’ll stay.

“If you won’t let me go, then I won’t go. I’ll stick around and keep you company till you’re old and gray.”

Irene could only stare at him, completely at a loss for words.