Chapter 834

Horizonlead Group and Kelly Group are set to develop the Narcigh Bay Project. According to an insider, this is part of an arranged marriage plan for Jonathan to marry into the Kelly family.

With a loud clatter, Teresa’s fork slipped from her hand when she saw the news.

Evelyn whipped her head toward Teresa and asked, “What’s going on? Is Jonathan going to have an arranged marriage with another woman?”

“I don’t know either,” Teresa said, forcing herself to stay calm. But inside, it felt like something had slammed into her mind, leaving her at a loss.

“Mom, he’s not coming tonight. Let’s cook some ravioli and eat. There’s no need to wait for him,” Teresa said.

“Mike,” she called out to her son, “come and eat ravioli.”

Michael put down the remote and ran over. “Mom, what does arranged marriage mean? Why does Mr. Lime have to get married like that?”

Teresa’s expression darkened, her throat tightening. She was just about to explain to her son, but Lucas stopped her.

Lucas gently ruffled Michael’s hair and said, “Mike, let’s not look at that news anymore, okay?”

Michael blinked and asked, “But why not?”

“Well, sometimes what you see isn’t the truth. It’s just what others want you to believe. Just remember, your dad is a great man. That’s all that matters,” Lucas said.

Michael looked confused. “I still don’t get it,” he said, frowning.

“It’s okay, you’ll understand when you’re older. Are you hungry, Mike? Let’s go cook some ravioli together,” Lucas said.

“Isn’t Dad coming to eat with us today?” Michael asked.

“He might be a little late. Let’s go ahead and eat first,” Lucas replied.

Lucas led Michael to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Evelyn was trying to comfort Teresa.

“Like Lucas said, sometimes what you see isn’t the truth. Maybe it’s just fake news,” Evelyn said.

Then Evelyn added, “Why don’t you give Jonathan a call and ask him what’s going on?”

“Call him? What’s the point?” Teresa asked.

She switched off the TV and said, “We’re divorced now. There’s no legal connection between us anymore. If he wants to go through with an arranged marriage, that’s his business.”

Evelyn started, “But-”

“There’s nothing left to say, Mom. I’m tired. I’m going back to my room,” Teresa cut her off and said.

Evelyn watched her daughter’s retreating figure, worry flickering in her eyes as she remembered how pale Teresa had looked just now.

Once Teresa was back in her room, she closed the door and leaned heavily against it. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision before she could even try to stop them.

The memories of last night played over and over in her mind–Jonathan holding her, kissing her, and in the heat of passion, whispering in her ear.

He had even gone out of his way to buy her a bracelet when they returned to Nareigh.

She hadn’t realized it at first. It was only on her way home, when she reached into her bag for her car keys, that she discovered Jonathan had secretly slipped it inside for her.

Teresa thought bitterly, Without Jonathan’s say-so, who would dare to report news about him however they want?

Teresa grabbed the Cartier bracelet and hurled it against the wall with all her strength.

‘Liar,’ she thought angrily. Her tears flowed even harder.

She thought, I can accept him remarrying, but then why did he kiss me last night? Why say he wasn’t drunk and knew what he was doing? What does he take me for, some kind of joke?

The sudden pounding at the door snapped her out of her thoughts.

She got up from the floor, wiped away her tears, and forced herself to look composed as she went to open the door.

When she saw Lucas at the door, she asked, “What’s up? Did something happen?”

Even though Teresa tried hard to hide her feelings, Lucas still noticed her red eyes.

“I just called Jonathan, but he didn’t answer. I’m sure he’s handling this right now, so don’t worry,” Lucas said softly. “Mom said you’re still carrying his baby. Is that true?”

Teresa glanced at her belly but stayed silent.

Lucas patted her shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. There’s no way he’ll marry another woman.”

Teresa replied, her voice calm, “Whether he remarries or not, that’s his business. If he doesn’t want to take responsibility, that’s on him.”

“Teresa, no man would ever just walk away from a woman who’s carrying his child,” Lucas said firmly.

“I don’t need him to be responsible for me just because of the baby,” Teresa shot back.

Knowing his kindness was only meant for the baby, to keep her safe during pregnancy, turned those beautiful memories into a cruel farce.

Teresa said, “It’s my fault for not ending the pregnancy sooner. The baby happened because we were both drunk. I never planned to tell him or use the baby to tie him down. I wanted to keep it to myself.”

Lucas fell silent, sensing Teresa’s heavy burden. He wondered, “What pain was she hiding? What strength kept her standing despite it all? What had pushed her to the edge, breaking her like this?”

“Teresa, let’s eat. The ravioli is ready,” Lucas said softly.

“Lucas,” Teresa said, “I don’t have an appetite. I don’t want to eat.”

“Just try to eat a little, okay? Everyone’s waiting for you,” Lucas coaxed.

“Okay,” Teresa replied, following Lucas toward the dining room.

At the Lynn family home, Irene was busy in the dining room when the door suddenly slammed open, startling her. She looked up and saw Jonathan and let out a sigh of relief.

“You’re back, Jonathan. I made your favorite beef ravioli. Come eat,” Irene called out.

Expressionless, Jonathan strode over and slammed a magazine down in front of Irene.

“What’s this about?” he asked coldly.

“What do you mean?” Irene replied as she glanced at the headline and played dumb.

“According to an insider, I’m marrying the Kelly family’s daughter? Why am I the last to know? Are you the so-called insider?” Jonathan demanded.

Irene fell silent. Jonathan’s chest tightened as he pressed, “So it was you. Why? The Kelly Group project is just business. I never agreed to any marriage arrangement.”

“Valena came to me and said if you married her, she’d bring the whole Kelly Group as her dowry.”

“So what?” Jonathan replied flatly. “Don’t I make enough money already? Are you that desperate for someone else’s fortune?”

Irene was stunned and replied, “How could you think that? I’m doing this for your happiness. No woman would bring a whole company as dowry to marry you. Trust me. Valena truly loves you.”

“But I don’t love anyone else. The only one I’ve ever loved is-”

“I know,” Irene cut Jonathan off.

She knew exactly the name Jonathan was about to say, the woman who had made her son suffer for over six years.

“How long are you going to let her keep clinging to you? When will you come to your senses?” Irene pressed.

“We have a child between us, so we’re tied together for life. And I accept it willingly,” Jonathan said.

He turned to leave, but Irene grabbed his arm and said, “You can snatch Mike away from her.”