Chapter 663

Teresa blinked back tears and asked, “And then?”

“Mr. Lime threw a flying punch, and the monster ran away. And guess what? He even said he wants you to marry him,” Michael said.

After finishing his story, Michael giggled at himself, looking adorably naive as he expected Teresa to laugh with him. But Teresa, her eyes filled with unshed tears, simply held his little hand.

Michael asked, “Mommy, why aren’t you laughing? Was my dream not good enough?”

Teresa shook her head. “No, sweetheart, that’s not it.”

Teresa said softly, “Sorry, baby. I didn’t take good care of you. I was so worried. I’ve learned my lesson. From now on, I’ll watch what you eat more closely. Stay healthy and don’t get sick again, okay?”

“Okay,” Michael stretched out his little hand to wipe away Teresa’s tears and leaned in to bump foreheads with her. “Mommy, show me your smile. I don’t wanna see you cry.” Only then did Teresa finally crack a smile.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. A masked nurse said politely, “Could Michael’s family please come over to settle the registration and hospitalization fees!”

“Alright, got it.” Teresa gently stroked Michael’s cheek. “Mommy will be right back. Be good, okay?” Michael nodded.

Shortly after Teresa left, Donald entered the room. As Donald walked in, Michael looked up at him, blinking his eyes in an adorable way. “Doctor Donald!”

Donald walked over and sat beside him. Donald asked with concern, “Mike, it’s been a while. I heard you were sick. Does your stomach still hurt?”

“My tummy doesn’t hurt anymore.” Michael looked up at Donald, his face filled with childlike curiosity. “Doctor, why did you come to see me?”

Donald said, “Uncle is worried about you, Mike. I see your mom is here with you—but where’s your dad?”

Michael lowered his head and went quiet. Donald felt a pang in his chest. He thought, “Why would he avoid talking about his dad? There is only one answer—Michael doesn’t know who his dad is.”

Donald knew that Jonathan had always taken his responsibilities seriously. If Jonathan ever found out that he had a son, no matter how demanding his work was, he would definitely come to take care of the child.

“Don’t be sad, Mike. I won’t bring that up anymore, okay?” Donald gently stroked Michael’s hair, but Michael winced in pain.

Michael rubbed his head and pouted, “Why are you pulling my hair again? Am I getting gray hair like an old man?”

“Sorry, I was just trying to use a little of your hair to help you find your dad,” Donald explained gently.

“Doctor, do you know who my daddy is?” Michael asked, tilting his head. Donald was silent for a few seconds, and then nodded.

Michael asked, “So who is my daddy?”

Donald said, “I’m not sure yet, Mike, but I promise I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Michael said, “I wish Mr. Lime could be my dad. Mommy said she’d make him my daddy. I’ve waited for days. Wonder if she’s talked to him. As Mr. Lime’s brother, could you ask him for me? I’d love to be his biggest fan.”

This time, Donald was left speechless. So that was it, Teresa really had never told Michael who his father was. Mike yearned so much for a father’s love.

Donald thought, “That’s what the natural bond between father and son feels like. No wonder Mike adores Jonathan so much; that’s why he affectionately calls him “Mr. Lime.”

He hadn’t spent much time with the little guy, but he should have been more observant from the very first time they met. Any child calling Teresa “Mommy,” he should have caught on right then.

And yet, he had placed complete trust in his fiancée, Jennifer. On the day of their engagement ceremony, she had looked him directly in the eye and solemnly vowed that Michael had absolutely no connection to the Lynn family.

Jennifer knew full well how much he trusted her. She knew that Michael was the eldest grandson of the Lynn family and she knew the whole truth.

If Teresa had forced Jennifer into it, if she’d threatened her to keep it secret, maybe Donald could find it in himself to forgive Jennifer a little. Otherwise, he didn’t know how to face her anymore.

Donald thought, “How much of what Jennifer says is true? Maybe she has her reasons, but why won’t she just tell me? Why does she have to deceive me and keep me at a distance? Jennifer, what are you hiding from me?”

“Doctor Donald?” Michael’s soft, childish voice snapped Donald out of his thoughts.

Donald said, “Mike, how about I help make your wish come true? I’ll make sure Mr. Lime becomes your daddy.”

Looking at the little face that closely resembled Jonathan’s, Donald knew without a doubt that this was Jonathan’s son. Donald was the child’s uncle.

Michael asked, “Really? You’re not pulling my leg, are you?”

Donald smiled and said gently, “It’s true, Mike. Let’s pinky promise, okay?”

“Okay!” Mike eagerly linked his tiny pinky with Donald’s. “Pinky swear. No take backs. Whoever breaks it is a little doggie.”

Donald said, “Now, Mike, you also have to promise me one thing. Don’t tell anyone that I took a little bit of your hair. This will be our little secret, just between us, okay?”

Michael nodded eagerly. “Okay then!”

Donald said, “Good boy, Mike. Remember not to catch a chill, or I will have to give you a shot. You don’t want that, do you?”

“Please, no shots!” Michael’s eyes widened with fear. “I wanna get better fast and go home. I don’t wanna stay in the hospital anymore.”

Donald said, “Alright, Mike, time to rest now. Go lie down and get some good sleep, okay?”

After comforting Michael and seeing Teresa still hadn’t returned, Donald knew he couldn’t stay any longer. He turned and left. As the door clicked shut behind him, his eyes shimmered with tears he could no longer hold back.

A torrent of memories flooded his mind. Scenes from the past flashed through his mind.

Jennifer handed over the report and said quietly, “The DNA test results are in. Take a look. Now, will you finally drop it?”

Donald said, “Thank goodness I didn’t tell Jonathan about this, otherwise, it would’ve just given him false hope. Still, something just feels off.”

Jennifer said, “Alright, that’s enough from you. Stop meddling in this. The child has nothing to do with Jonathan anyway, let’s just focus on our own lives, okay?”

Jonathan asked, “Donald, can I trust you?”

Donald said, “Are you worried Jennifer would fake the results? She wouldn’t, I promise. She’s a highly ethical doctor.”

Jonathan said, “If I can’t even trust my own family, then who in this world can I possibly believe in?”

Donald said, “Jonathan, you can absolutely trust me.”

Jonathan said, “Alright, I just hope our relationship never ends up like yours and Dad’s. Promise me, no matter what happens, you’ll never scheme..."

Donald said, “Never. You’ve been so kind to me and helped me through so many difficulties. No matter what happens, Jonathan..."

Donald’s eyes blurred with tears. He thought, “Life is but a fleeting dream, a stage play. Jonathan, if Mike really is your son, I promise I'll tell you the whole truth without holding anything back.”