Chapter 271

Teresa tucked Michael into bed and headed to the nearby mall. Cooking wasn’t her forte, but with Michael experiencing an upset stomach, she had to step up. She bought foods that were gentle on a child’s stomach and easy to digest.

The next morning, as Michael woke up, Teresa untied her apron and called out, “Breakfast is ready!”

On the table were a bowl of gruel, baby-sized corn cobs, slightly burnt scrambled eggs, and yam slices that didn’t look very appetizing.

“Come on, sweetheart, time to eat,” Teresa said, urging him to wash up first.

Michael quickly freshened up and even helped set the table. “Mom, did you make all this?” he asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

“Of course,” Teresa said proudly, raising an eyebrow and rolling up her sleeves. “Go ahead, give it a try and tell me how it tastes.”

Michael took a bite, then another, but by the third, he was struggling. Scrunching up his nose, he said softly, “Mom, I can’t eat this anymore.”

“Is it that bad?” Teresa asked, taking a bite herself. Her brows furrowed—it was bland, neither tasty nor terrible.

Still, she had woken up at five in the morning, forcing herself to follow a beginner’s recipe. Starting with the simplest dish, she had spent over three hours preparing this less-than-stellar breakfast.

Children have sensitive taste buds, and Michael was no exception. Teresa understood. “I know it’s not great,” she said gently, “but I’ll keep practicing. Next time, it’ll taste better. Try to eat a little more, okay?”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll try,” Michael replied, his tiny brows still furrowed as he reluctantly took another couple of bites of the bland eggs.

Jonathan’s face flashed in Teresa’s mind. Back then, even his simplest dishes could make Michael’s eyes light up. It wasn’t just the ingredients—it was the way he cooked, with skill and care.

Calling Jonathan for cooking tips was out of the question. If she wanted to improve, she’d have to rely on herself.

After cleaning up the tableware, Teresa told Michael to stay home for a while. She had somewhere she needed to go.

“Mom, where are you going? Take me with you.”

“I’ll be back soon.” Teresa couldn’t bring Michael along.

“Hmph, you did it again,” Michael huffed.

Teresa comforted him, “Be good. I’ll be back very soon. I’ll buy you a tart, okay?”

“Can I get one with grape jam in it?”

Teresa laughed, “Sure. Be good.”

“Okay.”

Teresa stepped out of the house, heading to a nearby hospital for a prenatal checkup. While she was at it, she planned to pick up some calcium tablets for Michael. Her appointment was scheduled for the afternoon.

She went to Everport Central Hospital, registered at the gynecology department, and had an ultrasound done for the checkup. At just a month and a half pregnant, her belly hadn’t started showing yet.

The doctor, filling out the forms, glanced up at Teresa briefly before returning to the paperwork. “First child or second?”

“Second,” Teresa replied.

“So young, and already on your second. Your husband didn’t come with you to the hospital?” the doctor asked casually.

“He’s busy with work,” Teresa said lightly.

“Your overall results are fine, but your HCG and progesterone levels are a bit low. Make sure to rest more, stay in a good mood, and eat plenty of protein. You’re slightly anemic, so have your husband help you with your nutrition,” the doctor advised.

“Got it. Thank you, doctor,” Teresa said politely.

After a few more reminders from the doctor, Teresa tucked the examination report into her bag and left the hospital. Her phone rang several times—it was Michael calling.

“Mom, don’t forget to buy me a tart. Come back soon, okay?” Michael’s soft, childish voice came through the phone. Teresa smiled.

She hadn’t forgotten. Teresa walked to the dessert shop to buy tarts for Michael. The shop had a variety of flavors, including grape jam and Oreo crumbs. She picked out two for him.

A sleek black Maybach drove past Teresa on the road behind her. Inside, Jonathan had been reviewing contracts, massaging his temples to ease the tension. He turned his head slightly, intending to rest his eyes by gazing into the distance. But as his gaze drifted to the window, a familiar silhouette caught his attention. Jonathan sat up straight, his fatigue vanishing in an instant as his eyes locked onto the familiar figure outside.