Chapter 1008

“You can leave whenever you want—it’s your life. As your ex-wife, it’s not my place to interfere,” Teresa said.

Jonathan nodded and said, “I’m just letting you know, that’s all. I get it, you and I don’t really have anything left to say to each other.”

Teresa frowned and snapped, “Weren’t you the one who said we should only talk if it’s about the kids?”

She thought, ‘Didn’t he tell Evelyn that for the sake of the kids, we could think about getting back together? And if not, we’d just settle the child support and move on? Wasn’t that what he said? I’ve done everything the way he wanted, so how did it suddenly become my fault that we have nothing to talk about?’

Jonathan misunderstood her. He nodded and said, “Yeah, that’s right. From now on, unless it’s about the kids, there’s nothing left for us to talk about.”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Fiona cut in. She gave Jonathan a firm smack on the arm and said, “Seriously, can’t you just say a little less?”

“That’s all there is to say. Let’s go, Fiona,” Jonathan said, turning away without a backward glance.

He thought bitterly, ‘I am leaving the day after tomorrow. If Teresa wants to see me off, she could; if not, it doesn’t matter. My heart went numb from pain a long time ago. If she said even a single word like ‘Don’t go,’ I would probably stick to her side for the rest of my life and never let her go. But that’ll never happen. She won’t ask me to stay.’

Once they got in the car, Fiona started in on Jonathan, nagging, “Seriously, couldn’t you have just had a proper conversation back there?”

“She won’t even consider getting back together with me. What’s the point in talking? She doesn’t love me,” Jonathan muttered, sounding defeated.

“Oh, come on. If she didn’t love you, why would she have your kids? And not just one, but two, and at such a young age?” Fiona shot back, exasperated.

“The kids take her last name. It’s like they have nothing to do with me,” Jonathan said bitterly.

“What kind of nonsense is that? The kids’ last names are a whole different matter,” Fiona shot back. She smacked Jonathan again, even harder this time.

She scolded, “Stop saying things just to be spiteful. Aren’t you their father? Aren’t those your kids? You’re always so level-headed, but when it comes to the woman you love, you just can’t say the right thing, can you?”

“You wouldn’t really understand what’s between us,” Jonathan finally muttered, his voice low. He rested his hand against his cheek, staring out the window, lost in thought. His deep-set eyes were already tinged with red.

After a long pause, he finally said, “Fiona, I’ll have the driver take you home first. I need to go somewhere.”

Fiona’s eyes widened in alarm. She asked, “Where are you going? You’re not thinking of doing something crazy, are you?”

Jonathan rubbed his temples and said, “Come on, it’s not like I’d lose my mind over something like this.”

Fiona gave Jonathan’s shoulder a reassuring pat and said, “Alright then, go take care of your business.”

After Jonathan left, Teresa stayed in her room until it was dark outside.

Teresa had never blamed Jonathan for anything that happened with Jennifer. Even now, with Jennifer sentenced to nine months, Teresa only blamed Irene for her indiscriminate attacks in court—she never blamed Jonathan.

Even when Evelyn brought up Jonathan in front of her, Teresa would always defend him, saying he was nothing like Philip.

Evelyn would always call Teresa foolish and naive for still loving Jonathan, but in Teresa’s heart, Jonathan was just different from everyone else. The love she dared not feel anymore was buried deep inside her, heavy and suffocating.

A few days ago, Teresa had called Jonathan and asked him to drop the kids off at Rosary Estates.

On the phone Jonathan had said, “I’m sorry for all the hurt my mom caused you. I truly am.”