Chapter 1045

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It was ironic. Irene would often complain that Jonathan never spent time with her while he was married to Teresa. Now, Jonathan was with her all the time, and she wasn’t happy about it at all.

“Jonathan, can you find me somewhere else to live?” Irene said.

“What, you’re sick of this place already?” Jonathan asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Sure, we can move. We’re done with Archulea. What’s next on your list? Londinov? Pillere? Makes no difference to me.”

“I don’t want to go to any of those places. This building’s way too high. I can’t relax living up here.” Irene’s heart was racing. She couldn’t even walk near the window to look down.

The older Irene got, the more she hated heights. She didn’t want a penthouse in the sky. She wanted a sprawling, single-story house with her feet on solid ground.

“Fine,” Jonathan said smoothly. “Then I’ll get you a villa…”

Irene cut him off. “I want to go home. Heidi called. She needs to see me about something. I really should go check on her.” She was throwing Heidi’s name around as an excuse.

Jonathan was unfazed. “Easy fix. I’ll fly Heidi out here for a few days. You can have all the time with her you want.”

Irene went quiet. Jonathan’s eyes were already back on the file. “Let’s be clear. Going home is not an option. If we go back, I can’t give you my undivided attention. And then I wouldn’t be a good son, would I?

“Besides, if you go back and pull your usual stunts on Teresa, who do you think is going to clean up your mess?”

Cornered, Irene struggled to find words. “If you just stop talking to Teresa, I’ll leave her alone.”

Jonathan said bluntly, “I can’t promise that.”

Irene’s voice cracked. “Jonathan, what do you want from me?”

Jonathan closed the file and raised an eyebrow. “Actually, that’s what I should be asking you. I’m ignoring everyone else. My entire world is all about you, just like you wanted.

“Geez, I’m treating you better than Dad ever did. I’ve given you my money and all of my time. So, tell me. Are we even yet?”

Irene was left speechless. She stomped back to her room, fuming. But she still wouldn’t give an inch when it came to Teresa.

Two days later was New Year’s Day. Michael’s preschool in Nareigh was closed, so Teresa didn’t need to drop him off.

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Michael woke up bright and early, even before Teresa. When she got up, she found him sitting by the front door, waiting intently.

“Sweetie, what are you doing sitting there?” Teresa asked.

“Mom,” Michael whipped around, his face beaming. “I’m waiting for Mr. Lime! He said he’d come back on the first, and today’s the first.”

Teresa’s heart clenched. She swallowed hard, forcing the tears back down as she gently said, “Sweetie, today’s January first. He meant February first.”

Michael’s little face crumpled. “What? So, Mr. Lime isn’t coming back today?”

Teresa nodded, thinking, ‘He’s not coming back. Maybe he never will.’ But one look at Michael’s sweet face and those hopeful eyes, and the words died in her throat.

“Mom, can I call Mr. Lime? With my kiddie phone?” Michael asked.

Teresa hesitated. He immediately started tugging on her arm, aiming his pleading eyes right at her. “Please, prettiest mommy in the whole world?”

She could never say no when he did that. “Okay, okay,” she sighed, handing him the kiddie phone.

Michael thought for a second. “It’s nighttime where Mr. Lime is, right? I’ll call him later.”

“Sure thing, sweetie,” she said warmly.

Teresa ran to the office for a bit, and she was back home by noon. Amy had already made lunch and had it waiting on the table.

“Amy, come on, sit down and eat with us,” Teresa said.

“Oh, Ms. Johnston, you two go ahead. I’ll just go check on Felix,” Amy replied.

“I just did. He’s out cold. Please, Amy, eat with us,” Teresa said again.