Teresa crouched down and gently touched Michael’s face. “Sweetheart, let’s forget about Mr. Lime, okay? Let’s go back to the life we had before, just the two of us,” she said softly.

It was no longer just the two of them. Another little one was on the way. She didn’t know if it would be a boy or a girl, but it didn’t matter. She would love this second child as much as she loved Michael. The three of them would face the future together.

Time would heal all wounds. She believed Jonathan would eventually find the right woman, someone who could give him a new family and new children. She no longer clung to the man she claimed not to love, though only she knew the truth of her feelings. Even if she were to remarry Jonathan now, it wouldn’t bring happiness; it would only lead to more misery.

Irene hated her, Simona and Truman plotted against her, Jennifer would never accept their remarriage, and Evelyn wouldn’t recognize her as a daughter. The children would get caught in the family feud, and even the unborn baby might not be safe. Only by leaving could she truly end everything.

Tears welled up in Michael’s eyes. “Mommy… we’re really not coming back, are we?”

Teresa’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she forced a gentle smile. “Of course, we’ll come back, sweetie. I told you we would, didn’t I? Why wouldn’t we?”

“But it feels like we’re never coming back,” Michael whispered, his big eyes blinking as tears rolled down his cheeks.

“We’ll come back. We’re just going to visit Grandma and Heidi for a while,” Teresa reassured him softly. She couldn’t bring herself to say they would not return; it would be too cruel, and she knew Michael would throw a tantrum, refusing to leave.

“It’s time to board now. I got us first-class seats this time. It’ll be a fun experience, you’ll see,” Teresa said, trying to sound cheerful.

Michael kept glancing back as they walked forward. Teresa had planned everything meticulously. Jonathan couldn’t see her leaving with his child. No explanation would ever suffice.

Just then, her phone rang. Seeing Miriam’s name on the screen, Teresa answered.

“Teresa, Benny just called me. He asked if you were leaving Nareigh and where you were headed. I think Jonathan put him up to it,” Miriam said.

Teresa’s grip on the phone tightened as unease crept into her heart. “And then?” she asked.

Miriam said, “I couldn’t lie to him. Otherwise, he’d check flight records. Benny is sharp. If he finds out about Michael, you won’t get away. Are you at the airport now? Maybe change your flight. What if Benny and Jonathan show up to stop you?”

“Don’t worry, Miriam. I’ve got everything handled,” Teresa said. Teresa had told Truman how exhausting it was to be with Jonathan, how it had pushed her to the brink. After all that, it was impossible for him to come after her. Jonathan probably just wanted to know her flight details to quietly watch her leave.

“Mommy, is something wrong?” Michael, wearing a creamy white mask, reached out and tugged at Teresa’s sleeve.

Teresa glanced at the time. There were still two hours until boarding. She sighed and said, “Sweetheart, why don’t you go say goodbye to Mr. Lynn?”

“Mr. Lynn?” Michael blinked, his face full of confusion.

“Yes, from now on, you can’t call him Mr. Daddy Lime anymore. Just call him Mr. Lynn, okay? Be a good boy.” Teresa’s tone was gentle but firm. Starting today, Michael needed to adjust to the change.

Teresa left the airport with Michael. As they walked, she pulled out her phone and called Sherry. She needed her help with something important. The two women split up. Teresa went to meet Benny, while Sherry pretended to be Michael’s mother and took him to see Jonathan. Teresa had already rescheduled their flight. They would still head to Fernlandia, just a bit later.

Jonathan had heard that Teresa was leaving today. Even during his meeting, he couldn’t focus, his thoughts in disarray. In the end, he couldn’t convince himself to stay indifferent. He paused the meeting and decided to step out.

Just as Sherry’s taxi arrived at Horizonlead Group, Jonathan was preparing to leave for the airport. Suddenly, a voice called out from behind him. “Mr. Lime.”

His steps faltered. He turned around, his gaze searching. Through the open taxi window, Jonathan saw Michael’s tearful face. Behind him, Sherry’s expression came into view. A wave of realization hit Jonathan. Michael was leaving too.

Michael darted out of the taxi and ran straight to Jonathan, throwing his arms around Jonathan’s leg in a tight hug. “Mommy said I can’t call you Mr. Daddy Lime anymore. She said I should call you Mr. Lime now.”

Jonathan didn’t argue. He crouched down, ruffling Michael’s hair before tidying the buttons on his shirt and straightening the collar of his jacket. A wave of reluctance washed over Jonathan as he looked at the boy. Even though Michael wasn’t his child, the memories they shared were irreplaceable. “Mike, the truth is… I’m not your dad.”

Michael’s eyes brimmed with tears, his voice trembling. “But I thought the ADN test would make you my dad. Why can’t you be my dad?”

Jonathan hesitated and then asked gently, “Has your dad… never come to see you?”

Michael nodded vigorously, his small face clouded with sadness. Jonathan didn’t know what to say. All he could do was apologize—for not being the father Michael longed for, for not being able to give him the love he deserved.

Michael clung to Jonathan’s coat, his clear eyes swimming with tears. “Mr. Lime, Mommy is taking me to visit Grandma. I don’t know when I’ll be back. I’ll miss you. Please don’t forget me, okay?”

Jonathan smiled. “I won’t forget you. Next time I’m driving, maybe I’ll spot a little guy peeking through a window at my car. I’ll say, ‘Is that Mike back again?’ And when you cover your face and run away, I’ll know it’s you.”

He extended his broad hand, and Michael placed his tiny palm against it. They clapped their hands together three times, a silent promise of their bond. Then Jonathan wrapped his hand around Michael’s and said gently, “Real men don’t cry easily. Be strong, okay? Take good care of yourself.”

“Mr. Lime… goodbye…” Michael sobbed, his small shoulders trembling as he clung to Jonathan.

Jonathan made a quick call to his assistant, instructing her to prepare a generous gift with twenty thousand dollars inside. Then he picked up the heartbroken little boy, gently wiping away his tears. Even though Mike was crying his heart out, Jonathan still had to hand him over to Sherry.

From the taxi, Sherry watched the emotional farewell between them, feeling a deep pang of guilt. But Teresa was already set on leaving. She thought, ‘If I tell the truth now, what kind of person will I be? I’ll be betraying Teresa. More importantly, Jonathan will definitely hold Christian accountable for keeping the truth hidden when Christian was his former secretary. If that happened, Christian’s career would be over.’ Sherry cared most about Christian’s future. She couldn’t be the one to ruin him.

Jonathan handed Mike to Sherry and said, “He told me you’re taking him to visit his grandma. Take good care of him.”