Chapter 836
From what Michael saw on TV, whenever a man married another woman, he would abandon his kids from before.
Michael felt a wave of sadness and fear wash over him. He couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from Jonathan.
Teresa gently pulled Michael away, wiping his tears. “Hey, don’t cry. You still have me. Mommy will always be here for you,” Teresa said.
With that, she looked at Jonathan and said, “Please go, I wish you well. I hope you’ve found someone who’s your equal, someone your family approves of. I wish you both happiness.”
Jonathan stared at Teresa, a sharp pain stabbing through his heart. It was as if she always knew what to say to cut him to the core.
His heart, already full of wounds, was now breaking apart piece by piece. On the outside, it seemed intact, but inside, it was a torn, bleeding mess.
Finally, Jonathan pulled his gaze away from Teresa and looked at Michael. “I’m not getting married,” he said, enunciating every word.
It sounded like he was speaking to his son, explaining himself to Evelyn and Lucas, and perhaps even directing his words to someone else in particular.
Jonathan looked serious and said, “What happened today was a misunderstanding. The news spread without my knowledge. Don’t worry, I’ll hold a press conference tomorrow to clear things up. I’m not entering any arranged marriage.”
With that, Jonathan scooped Michael up into his arms and gently soothed him. “I’m so sorry I scared you. I promise, I’m not getting married.”
Michael clung to Jonathan’s shoulder, wiping his tears as he sobbed, “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”
“Never. That will never, ever happen,” Jonathan said softly, reassuring him.
Held close in Jonathan’s arms, Michael calmed down and soon fell asleep.
Jonathan carried Michael to his room, and as he came back, Evelyn called out to him, “Jonathan, come have some raviolis. I saved a plate for you.”
Jonathan sat down and took the fork Evelyn handed him with both hands, and thanked her.
Lucas sat down as well, poured two drinks, and handed one to Jonathan.
“Jonathan, I want to raise a glass to you. Thanks for saving my life and for looking after me all that time in the hospital,” Lucas said.
Jonathan clinked his glass against Lucas’s and downed it in one gulp.
Teresa stepped out of Michael’s room and saw Jonathan hadn’t left yet. He was still there, drinking with Lucas.
Jonathan’s face was already slightly tipsy, his handsome features carrying a faint flush from the wine.
“Jonathan, I have to toast you, too. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our family lately. It’s been a lot of hard work for you,” Cathy said warmly.
Jonathan couldn’t turn down Cathy’s toast, so he finished another glass in one go.
Teresa saw that he’d already had quite a bit to drink, and she couldn’t help but frown. There was a hint of worry in her eyes.
Evelyn poured another glass and said slowly, “I know Teresa is still pregnant. How could you possibly be so irresponsible? You need to take responsibility for her.”
“I don’t need him to take responsibility for me,” Teresa said firmly. She stepped forward, took the glass Evelyn had poured for Jonathan, and set it aside.
Teresa said calmly, “He’s not my husband anymore. Even if he remarries, that’s his choice. I don’t want it to seem like we’re using the baby to cling to him. That would only make us look desperate.”
Lucas, seated nearby, frowned. He was starting to sense that Teresa was hiding something, though he wasn’t sure if Jonathan had noticed it yet.
Just as Lucas was about to say something to ease the tension, Jonathan turned to Teresa and said, “I’ve said everything I needed today. It’s getting late, Evelyn. I’ll visit again another day.”
“Jonathan, wait,” Evelyn called out.
Evelyn gently nudged Teresa and said, “Come on, he’s already said he’s not getting married, so what are you still mad about?”
“That’s not what I’m upset about,” Teresa replied.