Chapter 71

“Mommy, please,” Michael pleaded.

Teresa looked at him, amused yet exasperated. “Do you like Mr. Lime that much?” She mused, “Have he and Jonathan ever met? Why does he like Jonathan so much? Is this the undeniable pull of blood ties?”

Michael gestured above his head. “Mr. Lime is so tall, handsome, and rich. I won’t be losing out if he becomes my daddy.” Teresa was speechless.

The online buzz was intense. She hadn’t expected Hayden to call, offering comfort and advice to ignore the online discussion. “Hayden, thanks for thinking of me, even from afar.”

“No, I’ve returned to Nareigh and am staying at Jonathan’s place. Come visit when you’re free,” Hayden said. Teresa agreed; she hadn’t seen him since Thanksgiving. She was touched he’d returned from Las Vegas for her.

“Mommy. Mommy.” After dinner, Michael leaped off the balcony couch and darted toward Teresa excitedly. “I saw Mr. Lime’s car. He must be here to see you!”

Frowning, Teresa walked to the window and took the binoculars from Michael’s hand. Sure enough, Jonathan was there. Her phone buzzed. She answered, simultaneously covering Michael’s mouth to silence him.

“I’m downstairs. Let’s talk.” Jonathan’s voice was deep and magnetic.

“About what?” Teresa asked.

After a brief pause, Jonathan sighed. “I’m here. Do I have to explain it over the phone?” He wondered if meeting face-to-face was such a difficult task.

“Let’s talk tomorrow. I’m about to go to bed.” With that, Teresa hung up.

Michael scowled. “It’s only 8 p.m. You’re not going to bed. You’re lying.”

“I don’t feel like going downstairs. It’s a hassle,” Teresa said.

Michael sighed. “Fine. I’ll meet Mr. Lime for you.” He was anxious because Teresa seemed indifferent.

Teresa grabbed the back of his shirt as he bolted toward the door. “Where are you going? Wanna get punished?”

“Will you really hit your handsome son?” Michael countered, about to leave.

Teresa decided against bantering. She squatted, firmly gripping his shoulders, and said seriously, “Michael, listen carefully. It’s impossible between me and Mr. Lime. He’s not your dad. Be good and stop this, okay?”

Michael snorted. “I’m trying to help you. I refuse to see you exhausted, so I’m picking out a suitable husband for you.”

“Thanks, but we don’t need that,” Teresa insisted. “Trust me—even without a husband, I can take care of you.”

Philip didn’t believe in Teresa, and currently, Michael was her only family. If he didn’t trust her, she didn’t know who else would. For her child, Teresa was willing to work hard and earn money, no matter how difficult.

“Okay, I believe you.” Michael hurriedly brought Teresa her lipstick. “But you’d better go meet Mr. Lime now. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Teresa warned, “Don’t come downstairs. I’m serious. If you do, I’ll get mad and unfriend you.”

“Hmph—you’re so petty.” Michael promised he wouldn’t go downstairs. Even so, Teresa felt uneasy. She asked Sherry to keep an eye on him, and Sherry reluctantly agreed.

The November night wind was biting cold. Jonathan wore a thin overcoat, his collar flipped up. His breath puffed in visible clouds as he spoke, his gaze fixed on Teresa, who was approaching. “It’s chilly. Can we talk at your place?”

“Let’s talk in your car,” Teresa said.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “Is it that hard to offer me a cup of coffee?”

Teresa explained, “I live with a colleague. She’s home, so it’s inconvenient.”

“Which colleague? Male or female?” Jonathan asked.

Teresa kicked his shin lightly. “Why would I live with a male colleague? Are you insane?” Jonathan didn’t say much else.

Once inside his car, Jonathan turned on the heater and waited for Teresa to speak. As she remained quiet, he raised a brow and glanced at her in disbelief.

“You’re not going to thank me after all that I’ve done to help you?” Jonathan asked. If it weren’t for him stepping in, who knew how badly those internet trolls would have torn Teresa apart?

“I didn’t ask for your help,” Teresa said flatly.

“Oh… I must be out of my mind, bored out of my skull, to announce to the world that we were once married. All my wishful thinking, all right?” Jonathan’s furrowed brows, cold demeanor, and tightly pressed lips betrayed his displeasure.

Teresa tilted her head and forced a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lime. Thanks for helping me out. Happy now, Mr. Lime? Satisfied?”

Jonathan’s furrowed brows eased, and he suddenly laughed. “You’re starting to sound like that boy.”

Teresa’s heart skipped a beat. Somehow, she had blurted out “Mr. Lime.” She had completely been misled by Michael. Trying to play it off, Teresa asked casually, “Who?”

“You wouldn’t know him even if I told you.” Jonathan steered the conversation back on track. “Have you seen what I told the media?”

Teresa nodded. “More or less.”

Jonathan thought, Huh? What does ‘more or less’ mean?

Teresa asked, “What exactly are you trying to say? Can we get straight to the point? It’s late, and I still have to work on my online store.”

Jonathan parted his lips and enunciated each word. “What if I told you that comment about getting back together wasn’t a joke?” Teresa fell silent. The car was unusually quiet. The sound of Jonathan taking a breath could almost be heard.