Chapter 1007
Teresa steadied herself and said, “You’re their father. I won’t stop you from seeing the kids—come by whenever you want, or not at all if you don’t feel like it. If you want to move on and start a new marriage, that’s your choice, too.”
With his back to Teresa, Jonathan wanted to say something, but swallowed the words. He was afraid that saying anything would just annoy her even more.
He thought, “All because of what happened with Jennifer—I messed up that one thing, and now, in her eyes, it feels like I can’t do anything right.”
Lucas glanced from Teresa to Jonathan, completely at a loss. He asked, “Teresa, what’s going on between you and Jonathan? Why can’t you two just get back together?”
Jonathan turned around and said to Teresa, “I’m going abroad. I’m leaving Nareigh.”
Back at the hospital, she’d asked him, “Mike said you’re going abroad? Where are you going?”
He hadn’t answered her then—he was hoping she’d tell him, “Don’t go.” But now, he said it himself, because he couldn’t bear to hear her say, “Just go already.”
“Jonathan, are you really leaving? Are you moving abroad for good? Are you not coming back?” Lucas asked, his voice full of confusion.
Jonathan was silent for a long moment before finally saying, “I’ll come back to visit the kids on holidays and special occasions.”
Before Lucas could say anything, Teresa cut him off.
Teresa said, “If he wants to leave, that’s his freedom.”
Hearing this, Jonathan’s fists clenched at his sides, then slowly loosened again.
He said, “The car and the villa in Strico are still yours. If you ever want to take the kids and live there, you could do it anytime you want.
“As for Forlisle Rose Estate, I’ll have it transferred into the children’s names. You can stay there for your postpartum recovery—nanny, maternity nurse, even bodyguards—all arranged for you.
“I’ve also ordered that brand-new Bentley—the one you turned down before. It’s yours now. So, two cars, two villas, and six million a year in child support. If you ever need anything else, just say the word.
“I’d never shortchange the woman who gave me two kids.”
Teresa felt like her heart was being ripped apart. She thought, “Is that all I am to him? Just the mother of his kids?”
“I didn’t have these kids for you. You don’t need to feel any pressure. The kids have my last name—it’s got nothing to do with you,” she said coldly.
Jonathan said, “They’re still my blood.” Then he turned to Evelyn and added, “Evelyn, are you satisfied with this? If the child support isn’t right, we can keep talking.”
Evelyn thought Jonathan was really being generous. She thought, “He’s already given this much when the children are still so little. And who knows, maybe he’d even hand over some company shares in the future.
“Compared to my other ex-husbands, Jonathan is already way better than most as an ex.”
So Evelyn said, “Alright then, let’s settle it like this. Teresa, you’re okay with this, right? From now on, unless it’s about the kids, you two shouldn’t see each other anymore.”
“Okay. Fiona, let’s go,” Jonathan said.
Fiona let out a sigh. She’d been hoping there might still be some hope for things to change. She thought, “Evelyn is as forceful as ever—even though her attitude has softened a bit, she still won’t budge.
“But Teresa seems to be holding a grudge against Jonathan. It seems this is probably the best result we can hope for.”
She rose to her feet, a bit unsteady. Then she said, “Since we’ve settled the child support, let’s just leave it at that.”
Teresa stood up and said, “Fiona, let me walk you out.”
Fiona shook her head and replied, “No need, you should get some rest.”
But Teresa still insisted on seeing them off—after all, Fiona had come all this way to visit.
Once they got off the elevator, Jonathan looked at Teresa and said, “I’m leaving the day after tomorrow. I’ll have someone send the keys to Forlisle Rose Estates over to you tomorrow.”