Chapter 305

Teresa stopped short and turned to look at the drunken man. “What do you expect from me? As your ex-wife, everything between us was settled a long time ago, wasn’t it?”

Jonathan stared at her distant, frosty expression. He staggered to his feet, letting out a bitter laugh. “I always thought I was at least a normal person, but with you, I don’t even feel human.” Teresa frowned.

“Being married to me made you miserable. Reaching out to you just annoys you. You don’t want to go back to Nareigh, fine. Then the moment you see me, you just hop into another guy’s car like I’m nothing.”

Teresa pressed her lips together, wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.

Jonathan gave her another long look. “By all rights, since you’re so heartless to me, I should be the same to you. Ignore you, and leave you alone. If I could actually do that, I wouldn’t keep coming back, making a fool of myself while you couldn’t care less.”

He seemed to have given up and turned to leave. Teresa watched his drunken, swaying figure, and when he nearly stumbled, she instinctively rushed forward to steady him. Jonathan coldly pushed her away. “Don’t bother me.”

Teresa shouted, “Watch out for the step ahead!” There’s always a threshold at the entrance to these complexes. But he didn’t even try to lift his foot. Teresa thought, ‘Whatever, I’ve already warned him. If he trips, that’s his own problem.’

She turned away, not wanting to look at him, but after just three steps, she couldn’t help glancing back. She saw Jonathan, tall and imposing, leaning against the wall with his arm propped up and his forehead resting on it. Teresa couldn’t pretend not to see him and walked over.

“Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?” asked Teresa.

Suddenly, Jonathan grabbed Teresa’s wrist, his eyes locking onto hers, full of accusation. “Who was that guy?”

When she didn’t answer, he let go, a bitter, self-mocking smile tugging at his lips. Jonathan said, “I have no right to ask. I’m just your ex-husband. What right do I have to question you? Maybe I should go to the circus. CEO of Horizonlead Group? I’m nothing but a clown.”

Jonathan was truly drunk. He’d never put himself down like this if he were sober. Seeing him like this made Teresa feel awful, but then she thought of Michael waiting at home, and forced herself to hold back.

Teresa noticed Jonathan’s Maybach parked nearby. She had no idea how he got there. But he’d been drinking. No matter how he got here, there was no way she’d let him drive off in this state. Especially when he was so out of it, she couldn’t just stand by and watch him risk his life.

“You’re drunk. Let me call you a cab. Once you’re done here in Everport, just head back to Nareigh, okay?”

“Whether I go back or not has nothing to do with you. I’m staying in Everport for work, not because of you.”

“Did I ever say it was because of me?” Teresa couldn’t be bothered to argue with a drunk, so she flagged down a taxi for him.

She opened the back door. “Driver, please take this guy to the Golden Diamond Hotel.”

Jonathan flopped onto the back seat. Teresa helped tuck in his long legs, noticed his crooked tie, and straightened his collar so he could breathe easier, even lying on his side.

Only then did Teresa straighten up, patting her pockets for her phone to pay, only to realize she hadn’t brought it. Luckily, she found fifty bucks in cash in her other pocket. She handed all the money to the driver. “This should be enough. Please make sure he gets there safely. Alright, you can go now.”

The driver glanced at her. “Aren’t you getting in? You two look just like a married couple.” He could tell from the way Teresa fussed over Jonathan, just like a wife taking care of her husband.

“Me? With this drunk dog? We’re not even close.” Teresa shut the door.

She watched the taxi drive off until it disappeared from sight. Only when he was completely out of view did Teresa finally turn away and head home.

“Mom!” Michael was waving Teresa’s phone around on the couch. As soon as he saw her come in, he hopped off and toddled over on his little legs. “Why can’t I send a message to Mr. Lime? Can you help me?” He held the phone up for her to see.

Teresa quickly snatched her phone back from him and saw the screen was still on Jonathan’s chat window. Even though Jonathan had deleted her, she hadn’t deleted him. With a one-sided delete, one could still see the other person’s name and messages on WhatsApp, but one couldn’t send anything.

A message popped up: [Please send a friend request. You can chat once the other person accepts.] Underneath was a button that said [Send Friend Request].

Teresa sighed, exasperated. “You’re messing with my phone again? What am I going to do with you?”

Michael looked up at her, all pitiful. “You weren’t home, and your phone was just sitting on the table. I didn’t know where you went. I was worried about you.”

Teresa ruffled his hair. She’d only gone downstairs for a minute.

“My dear Michael, you… didn’t actually tap ‘Send Friend Request,’ did you?” asked Teresa.

Michael spread his hands. “I forgot! I tapped the phone a bunch of times, but the messages just wouldn’t go through.”

Teresa was speechless.

“Mom, this is Mr. Lime’s number, right? I remember this profile picture. It’s definitely him. You just went to see Mr. Lime, didn’t you? You went to see him without me.”

“I didn’t see him. One of my bosses got drunk, so I just helped him get home.” Teresa put her phone away. “Alright, go take a shower and get ready for bed.”

Michael looked at her, not quite convinced. “Really, Mom? You smell like Mr. Lime and there’s a bit of alcohol, too.”

“Come on, seriously, where did you get that nose from?” Teresa laughed, half exasperated, half amused.

Teresa nudged Michael’s little shoulders. “Off to bed, kiddo. Be good, I still have dishes to finish.”

Michael waved at Teresa before heading back to his room. Teresa took a deep breath and glanced at her silent phone. Even if Michael sent another friend request, it’s not like Jonathan would add her back anyway.

The next morning, Teresa got Michael ready for kindergarten. He was still thinking about last night. “Mom, did Mr. Lime message you?”

“Nope. There’s nothing for us to talk about,” Teresa replied.

“But what about me? I still want to ask him for another autograph.” Michael was still hung up on it. His last one had been torn by Heidi, and even though they’d taped it back together, he really wanted a new one.

Teresa didn’t say anything, just straightened his clothes and took his hand as they headed downstairs. Michael clearly wanted Jonathan’s autograph again. Teresa didn’t respond, but she quietly made a note of it in her heart.

After dropping Michael off at kindergarten, Teresa headed to school and happened to run into Ivy. Ivy called out to her, “Teresa, was that little boy with the blue backpack your son?”