Chapter 1046
Amy finally gave in, wiping her hands on her apron as she cautiously took a seat. Over lunch, Teresa gently steered the conversation toward Amy’s family, a topic she rarely touched.
“My two kids both live out of state,” Amy said. “I lost my husband a long time ago, so it’s just me now. Ms. Johnston, you’re so young and lovely. You really gonna do this whole single mom thing forever?”
Teresa stared at her plate. “I’m doing okay on my own.”
“But babies grow up,” Amy said. “They leave the nest. Then you’ll wind up just like me, all alone.”
“I’ll deal with that when it happens,” Teresa said. “Better to be alone than stuck with someone you don’t love, right?” At least that was the logic she clung to.
She couldn’t imagine starting over with someone new, not when someone else still had a hold on her heart.
She was waiting for the day she could truly let Jonathan go—the day she could watch him move on and feel the same peace on the inside that she faked on the outside.
Maybe then she could start over. But getting there felt like an impossible climb, and every step hurt like hell.
Just then, Felix started crying from the nursery. Teresa, done with her meal, went to check on him. She ran into Michael coming out of his room, his face streaked with tears.
“Mom,” he sobbed, “I called Mr. Lime. His phone was off.”
Teresa glanced at the clock and gently said, “He’s probably asleep right now. Maybe try calling again in a bit?”
Michael wiped away his tears, his voice choked with sobs. “I don’t wanna call him anymore. Mr. Lime forgot all about me. I bet he has a new son now and doesn’t want me anymore.”
He’d tried calling twice with no luck, and his little heart was totally crushed. He held out the phone to Teresa. “Mom, can you turn this off? I don’t ever wanna call Mr. Lime again.”
Teresa felt awful for him. She thought, ‘Mike misses Jonathan so much. Maybe I should take him to see Jonathan? But… no way. Irene’s there with him.
‘Felix is still a baby, and he needs me here. The business is finally taking off. I can’t just leave. Plus, what would I even be to Jonathan? His ex-wife showing up on his doorstep? What if he doesn’t want to see me?’
“Just wait a little longer, okay? Maybe he’ll come see you before the month’s over,” Teresa said.
“I don’t wanna wait. I’m gonna throw away all the stuff Mr. Lime signed for me,” Michael said.
“You sure about that? Hey, Mike-” Before Teresa could finish, he had bolted into his room.
Teresa let out a heavy sigh. She knew Michael wouldn’t actually toss those autographs, just like how she couldn’t bring herself to throw away certain things either.
That evening, Evelyn came back with Isabel. Lucas wasn’t with them.
After dinner, while Isabel and Michael played with sparklers in the yard, Evelyn joined Teresa on the porch.
“Your product launch was a huge hit. I saw it,” Evelyn said. “This is how it should be. No more Lynn family drama. Just you, thriving. Look how happy and free you are now.”
Teresa let the comment hang in the air. “Are you and Isabel leaving soon?” she asked instead.
“Nope. I’m looking for a place to rent. We’ll move out in a couple of days,” Evelyn said.
Car headlights swept across the driveway as an Audi pulled up. The product launch had been good to Miriam. She’d ditched her old Volkswagen CC with this shiny new ride.
Miriam jumped out, with beer and takeout barbecue, ready to drink with Teresa. Teresa’s face brightened a little. “You know exactly what I need. Get in here. We’re drinking till we can’t see straight.”
“You got it. I blew off Edward to come hang out with you,” Miriam said.
Once they were settled in Teresa’s room, Miriam cracked open a beer. “Okay, so I got some dirt from Benny about what Jonathan’s up to overseas. Jonathan’s locked in some battle with his mom. You are not going to believe this.”
Chapter 1047