At Rosary Estates, Teresa tucked Michael into bed, his tiny hands wrapped securely around the necklace Jonathan had gifted him. ‘He really likes Jonathan,’ she mused, her heart twisting unexpectedly. Outside, fireworks crackled, echoing the holiday cheer. Teresa, however, found her thoughts drifting. ‘Is he spending the night alone in Luviston Estates, or is he staying with his family?’ she wondered.
The weight of those questions carried into her restless night. Her eyes wandered toward the calendar, and she decided to call Miriam.
The next day, Miriam acted as a go-between and reached out to Jonathan. “Your secretary’s father just passed away, and Mike’s mother won’t be back until after the holidays. Teresa and I are swamped, so can I ask you to take care of Mike for some time?”
Jonathan had been meaning to speak to Miriam about Michael as news of Christian’s father’s passing reached him. “I have some free time. Should I head to Rosary Estates and pick up the kid?” he asked.
“There’s no need. Mike’s at my place. I’ll drop him off at your office,” Miriam replied.
Miriam arrived with Michael later that day and reminded Jonathan, “You’ve got him for a few days. I’ll take him back before New Year’s Eve.” With five days between Christmas and the year’s end, Michael would be in Jonathan’s care.
Michael, cheeks pink with shyness, placed his tiny hands on his pants and murmured, “Sorry for troubling you, Mr. Lime.”
Jonathan chuckled, asking, “What’s with the formality?”
Michael scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “I’m just embarrassed,” he admitted.
After Miriam left, Jonathan asked, “By the way, has Ms. Johnston gotten over her cold?”
Michael nodded firmly, remembering Teresa’s instructions. He was not supposed to talk about her, but everything else was fine. Avoiding topics about her meant more time with Jonathan.
With a quick pivot, he mentioned, “Mr. Daddy Lime, I’m super hungry! Can we get something to eat?”
Jonathan had planned to take him to a restaurant, but his plans were interrupted by a call from Irene for a celebration dinner, though Jonathan knew it was just an excuse to lure him home. Jonathan brought Michael to the Lynn residence, where Irene and Hayden were present. The sight of Michael made their hearts drop.
Cheryl’s paternity test had proven that Michael was not Jonathan’s child. The elders had been crestfallen, but no one had expected Jonathan to bring Michael back to the residence.
“His parents are swamped, so I’m helping out for a few days,” Jonathan said nonchalantly.
Irene pursed her lips, asking, “Aren’t you busy with year-end work?”
Michael, with his small arms wrapped around Jonathan’s neck, turned to Irene and said earnestly, “Sorry, Grandma Irene. I didn’t mean to trouble Mr. Lime. I’ll be really good, I promise.”
Irene’s words were caught in her throat. This was not her grandson, but something about Michael’s expression melted away her objections.
“Okay, let’s eat,” Hayden announced. “Come here, kiddo. Give me a hug.”
Michael shook his head quietly, not wanting to leave Jonathan.
“Dad, don’t frighten him,” Irene chided. “He’s just a shy, introverted boy.”
Jonathan hoisted Michael into his arm and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll check on the soup,” he said casually. Once there, he balanced Michael on one hip while ladling some steaming broth into a small bowl and handed it to Michael. Michael sipped it carefully, then praised, “It’s delicious!” Jonathan laughed softly, patting Michael’s head.
As they ate, Irene, despite knowing Michael was not her grandson, could not help but dote on him, adding generous portions of vegetables and meat to his plate. Michael glanced at the growing pile and informed, “Grandma Irene, my mom says I shouldn’t eat too much at night. If I do, I sometimes get a fever.”
Irene chuckled, saying, “Don’t worry about finishing everything, sweetie. Just eat what you can.” Michael nodded and occasionally turned his head toward Jonathan.
After dinner, Michael drifted off to sleep. When Jonathan stood to leave with him, Irene and Hayden insisted they stay the night.
Irene mentioned, “Could Cheryl have made a mistake with the test? Maybe we should have it done again, just to be sure?”
Jonathan gently brushed his hand over Michael’s sleeping form in his lap. He raised an amused eyebrow and replied, “I know both his parents. No way I’m the father. Do I really need to repeat that silly mistake?”
Irene responded, “What do you mean by a silly mistake? This kid looks too much like you! Not even you could have a child that resembles you this much!”
Hayden teased, “Exactly! Even you couldn’t have a kid that looks this much like you. Could he be your long-lost twin?”
“Dad, stop it! Jonathan’s my only child!” Irene huffed as her eyes went wide.
Hayden waved it off, joking, “I’m just kidding. I’m just lightening the mood.” However, his response plunged the room into silence.
Before long, Edward arrived, carrying several gift bags. His parents had sent them over for Irene.
“Irene, my mom also bought you an emerald piece,” Edward said. “Just be careful not to drop it when you open the bag!”
“Just put it there,” Irene murmured, clearly distracted. Then, she added, “Edward, have you found a partner yet? You’re not getting any younger.”
“Irene, I’m still in college. There’s no rush,” Edward replied. Irene did not press the issue further.
Edward thought he had to say goodbye to Jonathan before leaving. As he made his way to the guest room, he saw Jonathan settling a child into bed. The child’s features struck him as oddly familiar, and Edward couldn’t help but do a double take.
“Is that Mike?” Edward blurted out.
Jonathan looked up, momentarily startled, and asked, “Do you know Michael?”
Edward answered honestly, “Yeah, that’s Miriam’s nephew. We’ve run into him a lot. I’ve even taught him some dance moves before.”
Jonathan’s mind raced. ‘Nephew? A lot?’ he wondered.
Edward explained, “We first met during the weekend when you were away on your business trip to Harrisburg. When we were together, Miriam brought the kid along with her, and Teresa joined them too. Do you remember you wouldn’t let me stay at your mansion then?”
Jonathan’s frown deepened. Without warning, he abruptly shut the door and motioned for Edward to follow him into the study. Edward scratched his head, wondering, ‘Did I say something wrong?’
Once inside the study, Jonathan’s gaze sharpened, his voice turning serious. “Are you telling me that Miriam and Teresa took that kid to Harrisburg during a weekend?”
Edward nodded, answering, “Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Jonathan pressed.
“You never asked,” Edward mumbled quietly.
“I didn’t really focus on what the kid looked like back then,” Edward said. “But last month, Miriam brought him along to visit me at school. That’s when I really got a good look at him. And honestly, he looks a lot like you.”
Jonathan frowned further, his thoughts racing. ‘What’s going on? Something feels off,’ he thought.
“Does this kid really look like me?” he asked.