Chapter 471

Michael, in a bright yellow raincoat, dashed toward Jonathan, his little legs pumping, rain boots splashing through every puddle. Jonathan stood, but halfway there, Michael veered off, grabbed an umbrella from the car, and hurried back, clutching it tightly in his arms.

“Mr. Lime,” Michael quickly handed the umbrella to Jonathan. “Why aren’t you getting out of the rain?”

Jonathan took the umbrella and opened it, only to realize it was a child's umbrella. He bent down, tilting it toward Michael. “Mike, what are you doing here?”

Michael was about to say, “I came to—” but before he could finish, Miriam arrived. “Jonathan, oh my gosh, what are you doing out here? It’s raining! Why aren’t you in the car?”

Jonathan paused. “She hasn’t had dinner yet. Take her to get something to eat, my treat.”

“No, that’s fine,” Miriam said quickly, grabbing Michael’s hand and affecting a casual tone. “He’s my cousin’s child. He insisted on coming with me, so I brought him along to pick up Teresa.”

Jonathan didn’t press. Before he could say goodbye, Miriam hurried off with Michael. Michael kept glancing back at Jonathan, clearly reluctant to leave.

Teresa was still at the office when Miriam and Michael arrived. Miriam told her they’d just run into Jonathan downstairs. Teresa froze, grabbing Michael’s hand. Miriam said, “Don’t worry, I didn’t really talk to him.”

“Fine. Didn’t you go to the water park with Edward today?” Teresa asked.

Miriam sighed. “The weather was bad, so we turned back halfway. When you still weren’t home so late and didn’t answer your phone, I got worried something happened, so Mike and I came to find you.”

Teresa checked her phone, seeing missed calls from Miriam. “Sorry, my phone was on silent.”

“Now that you’re done, let’s go get something to eat.”

Teresa agreed, and by the time they went downstairs, the rain had stopped. Teresa was about to head to her car when Michael let go of Miriam’s hand, shouted “Mr. Lime!” and dashed to Jonathan.

Teresa stopped and looked up. Michael had already reached Jonathan, who scooped him up, but still hadn’t left. Jonathan walked over, shot a look at Teresa (who clearly wasn’t happy to see him), and said to Miriam, “It’s getting late. Let me give you guys a ride.”

“No need,” Teresa replied. “I’ll drive myself.”

Jonathan narrowed his eyes. “I wasn’t talking to you,” he said, turning to Miriam.

Miriam felt trapped. She thought, ‘Why am I always caught between them when they argue?’

“I want to ride in Mr. Lime’s car!” Michael clung to Jonathan’s neck, refusing to let go.

Teresa glanced at the little “traitor” snuggled in Jonathan’s arms but didn’t say a word.

Trying to play peacemaker, Miriam said, “Alright, let’s just take Jonathan’s car. The roads are slippery after the rain anyway. I’ll leave my car here and pick it up tomorrow.”

After a few seconds of silence, Teresa said to Jonathan, “If you’re playing driver, don’t forget to run the meter. I’ll pay you for the ride.”

Jonathan’s face darkened, but he pretended not to hear. He opened the back door. “Get in.”

Miriam stifled a laugh, pulled Teresa into the car, and joked, “Alright, Mr. Lynn, don’t forget to start the meter!”

Jonathan handed Michael to Miriam, then got in himself. Miriam’s phone rang. She answered and sighed. “Alright, I’m on my way.”

After hanging up, she explained, “My brother just got back from school and he’s stuck at the airport. It’s too late to get a cab, so my parents want me to pick him up and head home.”