Chapter 545
Teresa pressed her lips together, her eyes showing more concern. She asked, “Are you okay?”
Jonathan muttered, “I’m not. Not okay at all.” With that, he staggered to his feet, swaying unsteadily as he made for the exit.
Teresa couldn’t hold back and hurried over to support him. “Let me take you home,” she offered.
Jonathan gently pushed her hand away.
Teresa frowned and grabbed his arm again. She said, “Okay, fine, I did come all this way just to check on you. Now, why on earth did you drink so much?”
Jonathan’s intoxicated eyes lingered on Teresa’s face. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently caressed her cheek. “Thank you,” he murmured, then collapsed into Teresa’s arms.
Teresa’s back pressed against the wall as she came to her senses. When she tried to push Jonathan away, she found he’d already passed out.
It took Teresa quite a bit of effort to get Jonathan into a cab and bring him back to his villa. With the taxi driver’s help, she half-carried, half-dragged Jonathan out of the car and into his room.
The driver asked, “Miss, how come your husband drank so much?”
Teresa looked away, murmuring, “I’m not his wife anymore.”
The driver looked surprised. He exclaimed, “Wait, didn’t he keep calling you honey the whole ride?”
Teresa didn’t explain further, instead handing the driver an extra 33 dollars for his trouble.
The driver took the money and left.
Gently, Teresa removed Jonathan’s shoes and socks, loosened his tie, tucked him in, and then softly wiped his face with a towel.
Teresa couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken care of Jonathan like this. Maybe it was back when they were still married–he’d come home wasted from business dinners, collapse into her arms, and cling to her until he fell asleep.
Teresa gazed tenderly at Jonathan’s face, her hand coming to rest on his furrowed brow as she gently smoothed it out.
Seemingly comforted by her touch, Jonathan’s furrowed brow relaxed, and he drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Teresa gazed at him for a long moment. Finally, she turned and walked away.
The next morning, Jonathan awoke to find himself alone. He glanced at the blanket covering him and thought, ‘Guess Benny isn’t such a bad friend after all. He made sure I got home safe.’
Hayden contacted Jonathan, but Jonathan wasn’t in the mood to see him. Growing anxious, Hayden showed up at his doorstep unannounced.
Jonathan had just gotten out of bed and showered, but he gave Hayden the cold shoulder.
Hayden sighed and said, “I know you’re angry and feel wronged, because I asked you to let Sanford go and even took his side without considering your feelings.”
Jonathan kept a straight face and said, “You won’t be needing annual physicals anymore.”
Hayden blinked in surprise. He asked, “What do you mean?”
Jonathan said coolly, “You seem remarkably fit. Your mind and speech are as clear as ever, certainly no sign of dementia.”
Hayden choked on his words for a moment, then said, “If you want to scold me, just say it straight. Why beat around the bush?”
Jonathan replied, “You’re my grandfather. How could I possibly scold you?” With that, he headed to the walk-in closet to change, then made to leave.
Hayden quickened his pace to catch up with Jonathan. He said, “Just hear me out first. I did this because Sanford is your dad’s son. Your dad has been gone for so long. How could I bring myself to turn away his child?
“If it were someone else’s kid, say, Werner’s, I wouldn’t care so much. But this is your father’s flesh and blood. Jonathan, I know you don’t understand why I’m asking you to let Sanford go.
“The mistakes were made by the previous generation; Sanford is just an innocent child. I can’t bear to see you two at each other’s throats.
“Jonathan, you grew up without a father. How could I not ache for you? My heart aches for you, and for Sanford, too. He’s your father’s son, fatherless just like you.”