Chapter 24
Arms loaded with shopping bags, Teresa strode back into Narcigh by herself. Miriam observed as she let the bags fall onto the couch with a thud.
“I got you these from the mall. Jonathan insisted on paying,” “Teresa said, her tone casual.
Miriam’s eyes popped. “Your ex–husband sure knows how to treat people. Why didn’t he drive you back” she asked, a playful grin on her face,
Teresa’s now furrowed slightly as she gave a slismissive shrug “Who knows what’s bugging him? Maybe he’s hitting a mid–life crisis early, the joked
Miriam nearly choked on her drink. At twenty–nine, Jonathan was far from being ancient.
Teresa let the comment side and moved on to check on Michael. She’d been worried Jonathan might see their son, so she’d arranged for Miriam to take him back to Narcigh before Jonathan could spor
That night, while Teresa was absorbed in managing her online shop, Michael snuck up behind her and hugged her neck, reminding her, “Mommy you promised ine three wishes, You haven’t even asked about them”
Teresa leaned in with a teasing smile,
mile, “Hit me up. What are your top three wishes?”
Michael took a moment, his eyes lighting up as he decided. “Fried chicken, that’s my liesar
Teresa chuckled and proposed, “We could totally order stone and have a cozy dinner at home. How does that sound?”
“Great” Michael exclaimed with a nod…
With a hint of expectation in her voice, Teresa pressed, “Alright, what about your second wish?” She had a feeling might be about her finding a
new partiter..
Michael surprised her with his thoughtful reply, “I wish you wouldn’t stay up so Lee. You should be in bed by eleven, no more of this all–nighter
work..
Teresa was taken aback, her eyes brimming with emotion. She replied affectionately, her voice wavering, ‘Ill make sure to rest more, I promise”
With curiosity pinated. Teresa asked, “And your third wish!”
Michael’s smile stretched from car to car, his eyes nearly lost in the grin. “I want you to find me a new dad, pronto!
Teresa’s smile ebbed away at the answer she had anticipated. She draped her arm over his shoulder. “Ainolinely, kuldu We’r gonna find you a stepdad who’s kind, caring, and a total hoitic–one who’ll treat us like royalty”
Michel looked up at Teresa, his eyes fall of curiosity. “Mommy, what did my realidad look liker
Teresa’s expression flickered as she responded, “Like I always say, he wasn’t exactly a looker.”
Michel whispered, “So, he was like Shock?”
Teresa offered a wry smile. “Lets say he was a bit more appealing than Shrek‘
“Hold” Michael slipped away from Teresa, raced to the mirror, and examined his reflection. But I think I’m pretty handsome”
Teresa’s grin grem,
illed with maternal pride. “Of course you are, sweetie. You’ve got Mommy’s ellar genes.”
Michael, azing intently from Teresa to his mirror image, said earnestly, “Mommy, we don’t look alike at all?
Teresa was caught off guard. “Don’t worry. You’ll fill out your looks soon enough. You’ll be the mirror image of Mommy then, she explained with a warm sinile
There was a quiet, “Fine,” in return.
Back in Narcigh, Jonathan was at a ritzy dinner party with Henny, where he was gulping down his drinks one a
one after another
Benny, picking up on Jonathan’s dark mood, cautiously offered, “Want me to reach out to
out to “Teresa!”
At the sound of her name, Jonathan’s expression turned sour. “No need. She’s not my wife anymore.”
18
Chapter 24
Benny, sensing something was annis, probed further. “So what’s the deal! You made a forme and hurried back. Wasn’t it to mend things? Lean tell there’s still a spark between you two”
“Spark! Really?” Jonathan scoffed, his voice laced with sarcasm. “How did you tell that Love’s been out the window for a long time now? He drained his wineglass in our go
Jenny checked his watch and sow it was after nine. He was about to leave, but Jonathan stopped him. “Heading out so soon! Stay. Let’s grab one more drink.” Janathan insisted.
“It’s getting late Benny announced, making his way towards the exit. Tve got a game togatch. You should lead home ton
Jonathan’s gaze fell. “There’s no one at home for me. It’s just an empty house”
Benny’s voice softened with a hint of concern. Tye said it before. You should’ve had kads when you had the chance. Even after a divorce, there’d be that connection. Now, what’s keeping you from moving out”
Lost in thought, Jonathan felt a pang of regret for not having a child with Teresa. Early in their marriage, they had chosen his career over starting a family, a decision he had upheld carefully
The sole exception occurred right before their split when a night of heavy drinking led to unprotected intimacy
Terest
She later erased his worries with a straightforward remark, Timon the pill so there won’t be any surprises affecting the divorce” They signed the papers, finalizing their separation, and then parted ways.
Jonathan, clutching his glass, grudgingly agreed. “You’re right.” He was plagued by what–is–magining the joy of having a child, a daughter he would’ve dosed on
At Rosary Estates, a sudden shiver ran through Teresa. Figuring it was from wearing only a slip post–shower, she quickly grabbed a jacket, With her son asleep, she took her spot cross–legged in front of the computer, settling in for the evening
With a newfound sense of relief after checking the stores earnings. Teresa reached for her phone and called Miriam. “Minam, guess what? We hir 15k this month want you to take the whole amount. Teresa said, her mouer filled with gratitude.
“I can’t just take it all.” Miram replied
Em serious. You’re the one who invested, and you’re always there for Mike You’ve earned it. Teresa insisted, her tone resolute
Miriam’s voice softened with a hint of reminiscence. We’ve been friends since we were lule, and you’re still so fonnal with inc”
Teresa laughed it off. “That’s exactly why I’m doing this. We’re best friends, and won’t have you going without what you deserve”
After hanging up. Teresa noticed it was past ten. She’d made a promise to her son to be in bed by then, and she intended to keep it. So, she closed her computer and started winding down for the night
Meanwhile, a black Maybach pulled into the parking lot, and the driver assisted Jonathan not, noting. “Str. Lynn, you’ve had a lot to drank tonight.
Jonathan brushed off his driver’s outstretched hand, his speech thick with al ohol. “Tim not drunk, he muttered, before making his way unsteadily toward the apartment building.
With a camall wave, he dismissed the driver. “My wife is wanting for me at home, and I’m sure yours is waiting for you too”
The driver grinned wryly, never having seen Jonathan so drunk. As Jonathan kept urging to go to Rosary Estates to see his wife, the driver had no choice but to take Jonathan here.
In the building. Jonathan struggled with the elevator panel before hitting the button for the tenth floor. As the elevator chimed, he leaned on the wall for support, shakily navigating to Teresa’s apartment.
At the door, he hunched over the keypad, struggling to cmer his code. The door finally beeped, unlocked and opened wide.
Entering the house, Jonathan tossed his shoes to the side, a thoughtful
btful expression on his face as he commented, “We need to change the door endle
The stillness of the home wrapped around him, and he whispered to himself, “She’s probably already hat the hay,” his tone hushed.
He quietly made his way to the bedroom, easing the door open to find Teresa asleep, her face relaxed and tranquil
His worried look faded as he leaned in to tenderly kiss her cheek. “Sorry, I’m late, habe. Had a bit too much to drink tonight. I’m skipping the shower,” he murmured, smuggling into bed and pulling her close.
205 PM & D
