The doctor had said intimacy was fine after three months, but Teresa was still a little nervous last night. Thankfully, after Jonathan apologized, he was gentle with her the entire time.

“I’m full,” she said.

“That’s all you’re eating?” asked Jonathan.

“Come on, I had two bowls already.” She really couldn’t eat another bite. Jonathan simply took her leftover pasta and finished it himself.

Jonathan pressed, “So, what did you come to Everport for yesterday? Placing an order or something?”

“It’s all taken care of.” Teresa didn’t want to talk about work. She could handle it herself.

He continued, “You’re heading back today?”

“Yeah,” said Teresa.

“What time’s your flight? I’ll drive you to the airport. But before that, can you do me a favor?” asked Jonathan.

He explained he had a business party to attend, and the woman who’d tried to drug him would be there. He wanted Teresa to come along and help him put on a show one last time.

Teresa agreed. While Jonathan was in the kitchen doing the dishes, she slipped into the bedroom and took out the ring. She paused, staring at it, then put it away before Jonathan noticed—as if he’d never found it at all.

At the business party, the place was packed. Teresa linked arms with Jonathan, and the two of them immediately drew attention with their striking looks.

That female boss walked over, eyeing Teresa up and down. After Jonathan introduced them, she said with a sneer, “I thought you were divorced, Mr. Lynn. Didn’t you say you were a single dad with five kids?”

“We were just messing around. With five kids, of course, we had to get back together.” Teresa knew she was here to play a part, so she clung tightly to Jonathan’s arm. He’d helped her so much; she was happy to return the favor.

Jonathan glanced at Teresa, a faint smile tugging at his lips, but he didn’t say anything.

The woman looked Teresa up and down and smirked. “Wow, five kids and you still look that good?”

“What can I say? I just keep in shape. I love hearing compliments, but I should return the favor, right? The only problem is, you’re not as pretty as me, your waist is twice as thick, and you’re not as tall either.”

“You!” The woman suddenly turned to Jonathan, acting all sweet. “Your wife is so mean!”

Jonathan just raised an eyebrow. “Seems like my wife is just telling the truth.”

The woman’s face turned red with anger. Teresa stood on tiptoe and kissed Jonathan on the cheek. He looked completely caught off guard, but there was a new warmth in his eyes as he gazed at her.

Teresa linked her arm through Jonathan’s, really selling the act as she stared down the female boss.

“Stop drooling over my husband. He’s not into fake girls like you. If you’re that desperate for a man, maybe next time I’ll drug you and set you up with three guys. How does that sound?”

The woman was left speechless. Realizing she couldn’t win against Teresa, she gave up and turned to leave.

Only then did Teresa let go of Jonathan’s arm, her face returning to normal. “Alright, that’s enough.”

Jonathan snapped out of it and grabbed her hand again, looking reluctant to let go. “That was great. Wish we could keep the act going a little longer.”

But Teresa pulled away, putting some distance between them. “I need to get to the airport.”

“I’ll drive you. Wait for me a minute,” offered Jonathan.

“Okay.” She watched his figure as he walked away—so familiar, so steady, and for some reason, it made her a little sad.

Just yesterday, they’d been all over each other, tangled up in bed. Now, sitting in the car, they were like strangers, not saying a word.

But she’d already made her choice—to start over, to go back to Nareigh and live a different life, to cut ties with him. That was her decision.

Even if the future was uncertain, back then, standing in the fog, she was just as lost. She simply did what she thought was right.

At the airport, Jonathan couldn’t help but pull Teresa into a hug, burying his face in her shoulder. He thought about how, during their act, she’d called him her husband and talked about getting remarried. If only that were real.

Suddenly, he asked, “Will you be with other men?”

Teresa’s eyes flickered. No one would’ve thought a man as put-together as him, in a suit, would whisper something like that in her ear.

She replied calmly, “I don’t know. I’m not really looking, but maybe I will. You should move on too. We agreed that really was the last time.”

Jonathan was silent for a few seconds and then suddenly asked, “Even if you don’t love him, you wouldn’t mind being with him?”