Miriam quickly said, “We all drove here ourselves, so you really don’t need to come over. It’s very crowded. You probably won’t be able to find us if you come. Thanks for treating us today. Edward and I had a great time. I’ll hang up.”

Jonathan didn’t press further.

After dancing all night, Michael was exhausted. As they were leaving after the show, he slumped drowsily against Edward’s back, yawning nonstop.

Teresa walked behind Michael and said to Edward, “Let me take him. Sherry’s place is on my way, so I can drop him off.”

Miriam immediately chimed in, “That’s a big help, Teresa. Edward, can you put Mike in her car?”

Edward didn’t suspect a thing about their perfectly synchronized routine. He asked, “Teresa, can you handle driving by yourself? Or should I ask Jonathan to see you home?”

Teresa said, “You are so dense. I’ve already split up with Jonathan, so why are you still making things awkward? I can handle this myself. Just go back with Miriam.”

After settling the drowsy Michael into Teresa’s car, Edward was quickly dragged away by Miriam.

On her way back, Teresa suddenly got a call. She answered with a cautious “Hello?”

A cold chuckle came from the other end of the line. “What? Have you forgotten about me already?”

Teresa recognized the voice and frowned. “Sanford? What are you calling me for at this hour?”

Sanford said, “Looks like you’re not home. Well, he is waiting downstairs at your place.”

Teresa asked, “Who?”

Sanford said, “Jonathan. It looks like he is waiting for you to come home.”

Teresa took a deep breath, and her grip tightened on the steering wheel. “How do you know Jonathan is at my place?”

Sanford said, “What a coincidence. I’m actually in your neighborhood too. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to see you. I’m just here about Mike.”

Teresa glanced at the sleeping Michael through the rearview mirror, and her guard instantly rose. “Sanford, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Sanford said, “I’m Mike’s uncle after all. Can’t I visit him? Don’t worry. If I wanted to reveal the truth, I would have told Jonathan a long time ago.”

Sanford added, “I suggest you not bring Mike back now, or Jonathan will see him.”

With no other choice, Teresa turned the car around. She decided to drop Michael off at Miriam’s place. She wondered when this exhausting cycle would ever end. The words “an illegitimate child” relentlessly echoed in her mind.

In the end, Teresa had no choice but to drop Michael off at Miriam’s place. Miriam didn’t mind at all. Instead, Teresa felt terribly awkward about it, and Miriam reassured her gently.

After Teresa left Miriam’s place, Sanford called her again.

He wanted to meet up with her right away because there was something important about Michael he needed to discuss with her.

If it weren’t for Michael, Teresa wouldn’t have gone to meet Sanford at all.

They met at a coffee shop that was still open. Seeing Teresa’s cold, dismissive expression, Sanford sighed and said, “You know, when I was in detention, Jennifer came to visit me. But you? Not even once.”

Teresa found it amusing. “We’re not even close. Why would I visit you?”

Sanford ordered two coffees and finally said, “But I heard you traveled all the way to see Jonathan. Just as I thought. You have feelings for him, but none for me.”

Teresa promptly stopped him. She said, “You said you wanted to talk about Mike. So, what is it?”

Sanford fell silent. He clasped his hands and bowed his head. After that, he said, “My mother has lung cancer. From now on, I’ll have to focus on taking care of her.”