“Please. I’m raising my kid on my own, and at least I’m not the one who nearly sent my son to prison.”
Irene yelled, “Enough. Have you said enough yet?”
Teresa replied calmly, “Not even close. I just don’t get it–just because you hate me, everything I do is automatically wrong? You’re a mother too, aren’t you? So why are you always trying to separate my child from his mom?”
“What are you really after? I called Jonathan, not to bother him, but just to ask if he could come with me to take Mike to kindergarten. That’s it.”
Irene shouted, “He can’t go. Don’t call him again.”
Teresa said, “OK. I’ll never call him again.” With that, she hung up and, furious, flung her phone aside.
That call made her heart go completely cold. She thought, ‘It is over now! Something inside me has finally died for good.’
Irene’s words haunted Teresa so much that she barely slept a wink that night. She thought, ‘Maybe it is true–having Jonathan around has made me lose my ambition. Whether it is in front of Yalena, Irene, or even Evelyn, nothing I said ever seemed convincing. I am not strong enough. If I stay like this, people will always look down on me!’
It was the day Michael finally started kindergarten.
It had been exactly fifteen days since Jonathan left, and Teresa felt numb inside. The previous day, she told Michael, “Your dad’s not coming back–he’s too busy.”
Michael was let down and sad, but Teresa could only watch, powerless to do anything about it.
That morning, Teresa started getting herself ready. She swept her long, silky hair up into a neat bun, showing off her graceful, fair neck. Underneath, she wore a light off-the-shoulder sweater, jeans, and a pair of black stiletto heels. On top, she draped a Chanel jacket. She opened her jewelry box and put on a necklace and a bracelet. Then she went to wake Michael up and take him to kindergarten.
The kindergarten Michael was going to was the most prestigious private elite kindergarten in Nareigh. There was no break, and the tuition alone was 250 thousand a year–not even counting all the extra fees. Teresa wanted to see how Michael would settle in before thinking about switching him to a different school.
Michael rubbed his eyes as he woke up. He looked at Teresa in surprise and exclaimed, “Mom, you look super pretty today.”
“Really? That’s good to hear. I didn’t want to embarrass you,” Teresa replied.
“You’re the prettiest mom ever. How could you embarrass me?” Michael said.
Teresa couldn’t help but pinch his little cheek, smiling at his sweet compliment.
The nanny Teresa had arranged had already arrived at the house to take care of Felix.
With a honk, a Mercedes pulled up downstairs. Gary was just about to head upstairs to pick up Michael when Teresa was already coming down with Michael in tow. The morning sunlight fell across Teresa’s shoulders, and her stunning beauty made Gary do a double-take.
Gary raised an eyebrow and teased, “Are you heading out for a blind date or something?”
“Why would I be going on a blind date? I’m just taking Mike to school. Mike, say hi to your uncle, Gary,” Teresa said.
“Gary, good morning. Mom’s taking me to kindergarten,” Michael chirped.
Before Gary could even process what was happening, Teresa drove off, leaving him standing there, still in shock.
At the kindergarten gate, the teachers hurried over to greet Teresa the moment they spotted her Rolls-Royce and the impeccably dressed Michael.
One said, “Ms. Johnston, our kindergarten is under 24-hour surveillance. If anything comes up with your child, we’ll let you know right away.”
“Great, here’s my number,” Teresa replied.
The teacher said, “Alright, please join our group chat.” She caught the scent of Teresa’s hair and thought, ‘With her delicate skin, gorgeous looks, and killer figure, she doesn’t look like anyone’s mom at all.’
Just then, Gary rolled up in his car. Noticing Teresa was about to leave after dropping off Michael, he called out, “Where are you headed?”