Chapter 433

Seeing Teresa, Irene couldn't help but think of Liora, but Jonathan's situation was nothing like his father's. Irene snapped back to attention. "When you married my son, you were the one with money. Tell me you're not just after his money now that he's made it big. You suddenly want him back?"

Teresa waited for Irene to finish. "If I cared about whether Jonathan was rich, I wouldn't have married him in the first place. We were together for over two years, and we really did have feelings for each other. I cared about him, too."

"I don't see it. If you really cared, you would've given my son a child by now," Irene retorted.

Teresa fell silent, her fingers tightening. She glanced at Irene, then turned and went to her car to retrieve the gifts she'd bought for Irene. She lowered her head and said, "Mrs. Lynn, I know you've never been happy with me as your daughter-in-law. You've always thought I was cold, that I wouldn't give your family an heir. If—just if—I could give Jonathan a child now, and try to make up for things, then—"

"Don't even think about it. I'll never accept you," Irene said sharply. "Jonathan finally divorced you—he deserves someone better. You want to give him a child? You don't even have that right anymore, Teresa. There'll be a better woman to give Jonathan children."

Teresa's face went completely pale.

"I don't want your things. Take them away," Irene said impatiently, shoving Teresa's hand aside. She brushed past Teresa, who nearly stumbled, scattering the gift boxes across the ground. Teresa stood frozen, stiff and cold, her fingers clenched tight.

"And one more thing," Irene said, turning back. "This is your last warning. Stay away from Jonathan. Don't follow him on business trips. If you don't listen, don't blame me for what I'll do."

With that, Irene walked into the villa, slamming the door. The echo carried down the driveway.

Night had fallen. The gates of Rosary Estates swung open as a Porsche rolled inside and the engine cut off, leaving Teresa alone in the darkness. Irene's cold words echoed in Teresa's mind, along with everything Jennifer and Evelyn had said. Overwhelmed, Teresa slammed her fist against the steering wheel, then slumped over it, crying silently. She wept alone, her phone buzzing silently several times. Eventually, even the screen's glow faded.

Meanwhile, Michael was on the balcony, waiting for Teresa to come home. He periodically scanned the neighborhood with his binoculars or called her. Then he heard the elevator or footsteps in the hallway.

The moment the door opened, Michael dashed over. "Mom, what took you so long? I called you so many times."

Only then did Teresa pull her phone from her pocket and see the missed calls—most from Michael, and one from Jonathan. She let out a tired sigh and gently stroked Michael's cheek. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. There was a traffic jam, so I got home late. I'm really sorry I made you worry."

Michael immediately noticed something was wrong. Seeing her red eyes, he hugged her arm. "Mom, have you been crying? Did someone bully you?" his voice full of concern.

Teresa took a deep breath and forced a smile. She had to be strong for her child. "Who could possibly bully me?"

"Mom, is Mr. Lime really coming back? Will he really be here for my birthday?"

Teresa hesitated, her throat tight as she looked at his innocent face. "He will. I promised you, didn't I? I wouldn't lie to you."

That seemed to reassure him, though he still looked a little worried. "Mom, you're really okay, right? If anyone bullies you, you have to tell me. I'll call the police for you."

She managed a laugh, ruffling his hair. "Thank you, my little hero. But I'm really fine. Let me go change, and then I'll make us some dinner."

Once everything was settled and Michael was finally asleep, Teresa sat alone in her room for a long time. She didn't know how much time had passed before she finally found the courage to call Jonathan.

It was noisy on Jonathan's end—Teresa could hear someone calling him "Mr. Lynn," as if he was in a meeting. "If you're busy, never mind. I just wanted to ask why you called me today."

Jonathan replied, "I'll be back tomorrow. I'll be in Nareigh by tomorrow night at the latest. Just giving you a heads-up."

Teresa went quiet. Jonathan's voice was low. "I'm busy. See you tomorrow."

She heard the call end, and her phone slipped from her palm. She had no idea how much time had passed before she opened the deepest drawer of her nightstand and took out a pair of rings.

She still remembered leaving the rings at the house in Everport. Jonathan had bought that place. When she went back to look for them, he was running a fever. She took care of him, and somehow, they ended up spending the night together again.

She let out a self-deprecating laugh. Just like he once said—every time they went on a business trip, they'd end up in bed, and by morning, it was like they were strangers all over again.

Her phone buzzed twice. Teresa unlocked it and saw a message from Jennifer: [Teresa, I don’t know what you’re thinking. Do you really have to push things to the breaking point? Think about Mike’s birthday. The whole family can be there for him, except your ex-husband.]

Teresa closed her eyes, then, expressionless, blocked Jennifer's number again and turned off her phone.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in. Teresa glanced at the calendar—July 24th.

Just as Teresa was about to call Miriam, her phone rang—it was Miriam.

"Teresa, tomorrow's Mike's birthday, right? Is Jonathan coming back today? Are you really going to come clean to him? Have you figured out what to say?"

"Maybe I should go with you. I'm worried he might lose his mind when he finds out the truth, or even hurt you. I just can't relax."

"Miriam," Teresa pressed her aching forehead. "I'm still thinking about talking to Jonathan. Could you pick up Mike and watch him for me today? I think I caught a cold last night."

Miriam could hear how rough Teresa's voice sounded. "Okay, I'll come over in a bit. Make sure you take some medicine," she said.

"Alright," Teresa replied, but she didn't dare take any medicine. She was pregnant and didn't want anything to affect the baby. She'd just have to tough it out.

After Miriam picked up Michael, Teresa stayed home, drank some soup Miriam had brought, and curled up under her blanket. She slept until after three in the afternoon. When she woke up, the house was empty. If the baby in her belly hadn't moved just then, Teresa might have thought she was completely alone in the world.

It was a little after five when Jonathan called her.