Teresa said calmly, “He took a DNA test with Mike himself. That means he acknowledges Mike as his son and has grounds for custody. Once Irene knows, things may escalate. If they try to take Mike from me, I’ll fight to the end.”

Gary fell silent for a few seconds. He had always believed that, no matter what, Jonathan would never go against Teresa.

“Irene is just Mike’s grandmother; you don’t need to worry about her. Even if they want to fight for custody, the main decision is still up to Jonathan. Mike is with him now, right?”

Teresa nodded.

Gary offered, “I’ll go see Mike tomorrow. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything else to him. I can help you sound him out and see what he’s thinking.”

“There’s no need,” Teresa said firmly.

Teresa objected, but Gary was determined. “I’m going to see Mike anyway. After all, I’m his uncle.”

After Gary left, Teresa was lost in thought when her phone suddenly rang.

It was Cheryl calling. Only then did Teresa realize that Jonathan was also holding Cheryl accountable.

Cheryl said, “Teresa, I have told Jonathan everything. I even brought Serena with me to admit our wrongdoing.”

Teresa quickly asked Cheryl, “How did Jonathan treat you and Serena?”

“Jonathan asked me why I hadn’t told him about Mike,” Cheryl said, “so I told him everything and how it all happened.”

Cheryl sniffled. Jonathan had lost faith in her now, cutting off all ties with her entire family.

Teresa was silent for a long moment before finally saying, “I’m sorry, Cheryl. Because of me, you and Serena got dragged into this mess.”

“Don’t say that. I’ve thought it over and admit my faults. I was too timid and selfish, fearing Serena’s exposure. I forgot Mike is a child who longs for his dad and deserves that right.”

Teresa fell silent, realizing she had also overlooked the times Michael wanted to see his dad.

That kind of fatherly love was something she could never replace.

Now, it wasn’t just Cheryl feeling the heat. Sherry was, too.

Early the next morning, Teresa received a call from Sherry.

Sherry and Christian were flying out of Nargigh today, hoping to see Teresa one last time before their departure.

Teresa agreed to meet them.

Upon arriving at the airport, Teresa spotted Sherry and Christian, with Christian gently supporting Sherry by the waist. As someone who had been pregnant herself, Teresa immediately recognized the signs that Sherry was expecting.

Sherry walked over to Teresa and spoke to her privately, and admitted she was pregnant.

“Teresa,” Sherry exclaimed, “I never noticed until now, but as you walked over, I saw you have that pregnant glow about you. Don’t tell me you’re….”

When Teresa didn’t say a word, Sherry’s eyes widened in shock.

Sherry couldn’t believe it. Teresa was pregnant again.

No wonder Teresa has been dressing so differently lately. She always dresses in loose, casual clothes, Sherry thought.

Sherry gasped, “Is the baby Mr. Lynn’s?”

“Yeah,” Teresa admitted softly, lowering her head. “He doesn’t know yet.”

“Oh my,” Sherry urged Teresa, “You should tell Jonathan the truth. After Mike’s situation, I learned that some secrets must stay hidden or be revealed quickly. Since you can’t hide this pregnancy, it’s best to tell him now.”

“That way, you won’t have to deal with the same fallout as you did by keeping Michael a secret,” she added.

Teresa looked up and said, “Don’t worry. I won’t involve you and Christian this time. I’m sorry that you both got caught up in everything because of Mike and ended up in such a difficult position.”

Sherry shook her head, hoping Teresa wouldn’t think that way. Jonathan wasn’t hard on them at all.

Considering Sherry was pregnant, Jonathan said he never wanted to see Christian again and did not pursue the matter further.

“Christian and I are planning to move back to his hometown. For now, we’re thinking of opening a small grocery store, and once the baby arrives, we’ll consider other options.”

“If you ever need anything, just let me know.”

Teresa reached into her pocket and pulled out a bank card, handing it to Sherry. She said softly, “Please take this. It’s a small gesture of my support.”

Sherry couldn’t possibly accept it. After all, Teresa had already helped her so much.

Teresa pressed the bank card into Sherry’s hand. “Just take it,” Teresa insisted. “There’s not much on it. Consider it a small gift for your baby.”

Seeing Teresa’s insistence, Sherry had no choice but to accept the card.

As the plane was about to take off, Christian walked over with his luggage. Teresa greeted him as

“Please don’t call me Mrs. Lynn again,” Teresa said.

She was no longer Mrs. Lynn, and when she’d have to face Jonathan in court was anyone’s guess.

“I don’t think Mr. Lynn would be that unforgiving. Sherry and I hope you two can reconcile. You both deserve happiness, and we want Mike to grow up healthy and strong. We want the best for all of you,” Christian said.

Teresa gave a faint smile, her eyes glistening with tears. “Thank you. Please take good care of Sherry. Being pregnant is tough. She’ll need you by her side,” Teresa added.

“I will,” Christian replied.

After Sherry and Christian left, Teresa had just stepped out of the airport and was debating whether to call Jonathan, but to her surprise, he called her first.

Teresa took a moment to compose herself before answering the call.

Before Teresa could speak, the roar of a departing plane drowned out her surroundings. Then, through the noise, she heard nothing but Jonathan’s hoarse voice saying, “I miss you.”

Teresa’s heart skipped a beat. “Jonathan, have you been drinking again? What’s gotten to you?”

Jonathan shot back, “So you’re giving up on Mike now?”

Teresa was even more confused and asked, “What’s wrong with Mike?”

Jonathan clarified, “I said, Mike misses you. He wants to see you.”

Teresa’s breath caught.

“Oh, I thought…”

Seeing her trail off, Jonathan asked, “What did you think I said?”

“Nothing,” Teresa mumbled, her voice barely audible.

A heavy silence lingered for a few seconds.

Jonathan spoke up again, “I’ll bring Mike back to you tonight. That’s it. As you said, we’ll co-parent him.”

Jonathan was about to hang up.

“Wait,” Teresa said suddenly.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow and asked, “What is it? Something else?”

“I’ll come over now to pick up Mike. There’s something important I need to talk to you about,” she said.

“Alright,” Jonathan replied and hung up.

Without a car available, Teresa had no choice but to take a cab there.

Upon arriving at Forlisle Rose Estates, the security guard notified Jonathan of Teresa’s arrival. Standing by the entrance, Jonathan saw that familiar face on the monitor. After a brief two-second pause, he pressed the button to open the gates.

He ended up letting her in.

“How come you didn’t drive?” Jonathan fixed his gaze on Teresa and asked.

“It’s in for maintenance,” Teresa replied, omitting the fact that her Porsche had been totaled in an accident.

Jonathan didn’t press further.