Chapter 666
Jonathan had a rough night’s sleep. Last night, he dreamed of Teresa in a flowing white gown, walking arm-in-arm with him to a party. People around them whispered, “Mr. Lynn and Mrs. Lynn look so happy together.”
He put his arm around her waist. After sitting down, he told a joke. Under the table, she playfully kicked him with her high heel and gave him a fake glare. When tired, she leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes. “Honey, I’m sleepy.”
But then, he woke up. The empty bedroom held only him. This time, Jonathan didn’t say, “You stay in Mareigh, I’ll leave.”
He figured maybe there was no one left in Mareigh worth her staying for or missing. As others put it, “Your so-called love isn’t love at all.”
The doorbell rang. Jonathan was about to go out for breakfast; he seldom bothered to cook when he was home alone. Still buttoning his shirt, he quickly tidied himself up before opening the door.
“What brings you here so early?” Jonathan held the door open for Donald to come in and headed to the dressing room to fasten his belt.
Donald said, “I brought you breakfast from SunnyBite Café–the spot we used to go to all the time as kids. It still tastes just as good.”
Jonathan said, “SunnyBite Café’s still open? Haven’t been there in ages. Have a seat.”
Donald hadn’t visited Jonathan for a long time. The last time he did, it was to borrow money. Jonathan had always been generous with family, and Donald had sworn he’d never take that kindness for granted.
Jonathan poured himself a glass of water and took a sip. Donald studied Jonathan’s pale complexion and asked, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep well?”
Jonathan said, “Yeah, I probably had a bit too much to drink last night. My stomach started acting up around midnight; it really had me suffering for a while.”
Donald paused for a couple of seconds, and said, “Yesterday, we had a child in our pediatrics department with stomach pain too. We had to rush him to the ER.”
“Is that so?” Jonathan said absently.
Donald said, “You might even know that kid.”
“Do I?” Jonathan paused, his lips quirking slightly. “I don’t know many kids.”
Donald asked, “Do you know Mike?”
Just then, Jonathan had also been thinking about Michael. When Donald mentioned his name, they both realized they were picturing the same child.
Jonathan asked, “How’s Mike doing now?”
Donald said reassuringly, “He’s fine now. The little guy just ate something that upset his stomach. You know how kids are; kids have sensitive digestive systems.”
“Glad he’s alright,” Jonathan said, setting down his glass.
Donald chuckled, “Mike looks so much like you–he’s got those delicate features.”
“Enough about that,” Jonathan said, handing Donald a fork and inviting him to eat. “Didn’t I have you run a DNA test before? He’s not mine.”
Donald let out a quiet sigh. “Yeah, that’s right.” Donald took a bite of bread. Suddenly, his voice faltered. He put down his fork, a realization dawning in his eyes. “So, the DNA test you had me do back then was for you and Mike.”
Donald’s face went pale as the realization hit him. He thought, Jennifer didn’t just fake it once? She did it more than once? So, from the very first time Jonathan had me run that DNA test, she swapped the results behind my back?
‘No wonder she said “I’m sorry” back then; was it because she swapped the DNA test results? Is that what I’m finally realizing?”
Jonathan said calmly, “That was last year. Let’s not dwell on it. I guess Mike and I just weren’t meant to be father and son.” Jonathan’s words snapped Donald out of his thoughts.