Chapter 439

Irene’s face soured. “I’m the elder here, and you want me to apologize to someone younger? I didn’t even say anything that harsh. I said she was clinging to you. Wasn’t that the truth?”

Jonathan said, “It was you who wouldn’t leave her alone. I dragged her along on business trips, followed her everywhere she went. Is that what you want to hear?”

“I’m not apologizing,” Irene insisted stubbornly. “She’s not even my daughter-in-law anymore. Why should I bother with her?”

Jonathan’s expression turned cold. “Fine. If you won’t apologize, I’ll go see her myself.”

“You!” Irene grabbed Jonathan’s hand tightly, finally giving in. “Alright, I’ll apologize to her, okay? But remember, I’m only doing this for you. I really don’t want you to go to Teresa, and I don’t want to see you two getting tangled up again.”

Jonathan let go of her hand, his face blank. “What’s between us isn’t something you can explain in a few words. And if anyone’s clinging, it’s me.”

“Can’t you just let her go? It’s not like she’s the only woman in the world.”

Jonathan was silent for a moment, then finally said, “I won’t go to her.”

“Good. As long as you stay away from her, I’ll call and apologize,” Irene said.

Jonathan had already turned and walked out.

It was almost dark when Irene finally contacted Teresa. She apologized, though it was clear she wasn’t happy about it. Teresa was in the middle of making pasta, and after listening to Irene, she simply replied with a calm, “Mm.”

Teresa said lightly, “I was wrong, too. I shouldn’t have come looking for you. Just pretend I never said any of that. I won’t bother your son again. I’ll just wait and see who you pick for him. Someone who checks all your boxes and makes you happy.”

Irene was fuming. Before hanging up, she snapped, “Fine, just watch. I’ll definitely find Jonathan a perfect wife.”

Irene thought Winnie was a good choice. Winnie had a sweet, gentle voice, and she even took cooking classes. The only issue was Jonathan’s feelings toward Winnie.

“Mom, when are we eating?” Michael called out as he helped set the table. Teresa had made pasta for the birthday boy.

“Right now, honey. Let me just grab the cake.”

“Okay.”

Once everything was ready—four dishes, pasta, and the cake—Michael sat across from Teresa, eating with big mouthfuls. Teresa wiped his mouth and told him, “Slow down.”

“Mom, you didn’t make this, did you?”

“I ordered it from a restaurant. What’s wrong? Don’t like it?”

Michael shook his head. “Oh, and Mom, Bunny ate with us today. He kept asking if my mom was Teresa.”

“Yeah? So what did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything, and then I started crying. It was so embarrassing.”

Teresa paused and then asked, “Why did you cry?”

Michael sniffled, looking a little wronged. “I just wanted you to be with me, but you weren’t there.”

Teresa quickly wiped away his tears. “But I’m here with you now, aren’t I?”

Michael shook his head. “Yesterday, you left me at Miriam’s. She said you were really busy. I thought you weren’t going to spend my birthday with me.”

Teresa’s eyes turned red as she wiped away the sparkling tears from Michael’s face. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I shouldn’t have left you at Miriam’s last night. I caught a cold and didn’t want you to get sick, but I made you sad. How could I ever miss your birthday?”

Hearing Teresa’s explanation, the sadness in Michael’s heart finally melted away.

Once the candles were on the cake, Teresa turned off the lights. “Look, we haven’t even had cake yet. Make a wish, my little prince.” She put a party hat on Michael, and he crossed his little hands over his chest and closed his eyes.

Teresa sang the birthday song for him.

“Mom, I’m done making my wish,” Michael said, opening his eyes.

“What did you wish for?”

“I can’t tell you. If I say it out loud, it won’t come true,” he replied, shaking his head.

Teresa chuckled. “Alright, I won’t ask. Go ahead and blow out the candles.”

With a big puff, Michael blew out all three candles in one go. Teresa clapped for him, took off his hat, and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “Grow up healthy and happy, okay?”

“Mom, you have to stay healthy, too. And always be beautiful, like a princess.” Michael grinned.

“Deal,” Teresa laughed, dabbing a bit of frosting on his little nose. Not to be outdone, Michael scooped up some cream and smeared it on Teresa’s face, both of them bursting into giggles.

Just then, Teresa’s phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID, and her smile froze. Instead of answering, she pressed the button to silence the call.

Jonathan’s car was parked outside Rosary Estates. He hung up after hearing the answering machine, but didn’t get out. He just sat there, looking from a distance at the building where Teresa lived, wondering if she was home alone, or maybe already asleep.

Jonathan leaned against his car, standing there quietly for a long time.

Inside, after dinner, Teresa and Michael cleaned up together. She washed the dishes while he put away the tableware.

Once everything was done and Michael had fallen asleep, Teresa finally checked her phone and saw Jonathan’s message:

I didn’t know you went to see my mom. If she said anything that upset you, I had her apologize, and I want to apologize too. I really don’t know what happened. Did you talk about us?

Teresa sighed, leaning back against the headboard, thinking about how to reply.

Jonathan kept pacing outside the gates of Rosary Estates, checking his phone every so often. Finally, he felt that familiar vibration—her message. He quickly opened it:

[I only went because I owed you money and felt bad, so I brought your mom a small gift. That’s all I said. Please don’t overthink it. Your mom already called to apologize, so let’s just leave it at that.]

Jonathan’s grip tightened around his phone. With no expression, he unlocked the car, got in, and sped away.

Teresa checked her phone again and saw his reply: [Got it]. She didn’t respond.

Chapter 439

Early the next morning, Teresa was still in bed when the doorbell started ringing nonstop. She’d barely slept last night and just wanted a little peace, but someone was ruining her morning. Frowning, she dragged herself to the door.

“Teresa, you’re only just getting up?” Cheryl stood there, baby in her arms, pouting. “It’s already eight-thirty.”

Teresa just sighed. Seeing Cheryl drenched in sweat, she stepped aside to let her in.

Cheryl set the baby down on the couch and started fanning herself. “Carrying a baby is exhausting. My arms are about to fall off.”