Chapter 312

Sherry sighed. "Christian's at his mother's."

His mother's cancer had returned, seriously, so he'd gone to stay with her at her family home. Sherry was supposed to be checking into their hotel, but while driving there, she happened to spot Teresa walking on the sidewalk.

"Christian's heading to the hotel later, though," Sherry said.

Just then, Sherry's phone buzzed. It was Christian. She answered. "I haven't even made it to the hotel yet. Guess who I just ran into? Teresa. Yeah, Teresa Johnston. Want to swing by? I'm at…"

"Oh, okay. Got it," Sherry said before hanging up. She then explained to Teresa that Christian couldn't come because he was with his mother; it wasn't a good time. Teresa understood completely; Christian had his hands full caring for his mom.

"Mike, why don't you go make Sherry a cup of coffee?" Teresa asked.

"Aye, aye, Captain," Michael replied, spinning around and darting toward the kitchen.

Sherry chuckled. "Mike knows how to make coffee?"

Teresa beamed with pride. "He makes it even better than I do! He can even do latte art, you know."

"Wow, Mike's such a genius," Sherry said, impressed. "He knows so much for such a little guy."

"He gets it from his mom. That's why he's always been so sharp," Teresa said with a playful wink. "By the way, Sherry, I need to ask you a favor."

Teresa had been stressing about Michael's preschool family sports day the next day. Being pregnant, intense exercise was out of the question. She'd considered telling Ivy about the baby and asking for help, but luckily, Sherry had appeared. So, Teresa fibbed a little. "I just got my period. And besides, I've never been the athletic type, you know? I can't do any running."

"Say no more," Sherry said immediately. "I'll swing by tomorrow morning and be your stand-in."

"I should be thanking you, Teresa. Thank you for not telling Mr. Lynn about Mike," Sherry said. Worry flickered in her eyes, and she gave a small, bitter laugh. "Otherwise, who knows what Mr. Lynn would do to Christian? He's already having a tough time. And his mom…" Sherry sighed. "I just don't know how much longer she can hold on."

Teresa stayed quiet, her expression unreadable. Once Sherry had finished, Teresa finally said, "Just… don't tell anyone else I'm here. And thanks for stepping in for me with Mike."

"Come on, what are friends for? Don't you worry about a thing," Sherry said. "I won't tell a soul you're in Everport. Not even Miriam."

Sherry didn't stay long and left soon after. Teresa tidied the coffee table. Michael asked, "Where's my Children's Day present, Mom?"

"You'll get it tomorrow morning. It's a surprise," Teresa told him with a smile.

"What kind of surprise?" Michael pressed, his eyes wide. "Is it a toy car? Or sneakers? Or maybe roller skates?"

"You'll just have to guess," Teresa teased. "Get to bed early tonight, and if you're up with the sun, you'll see what it is."

"Okay," Michael said with a little sigh. With Teresa's gentle voice telling him a bedtime story, Michael quickly drifted off to sleep.

After Michael was sound asleep, Teresa placed two gifts by his pillow, then tiptoed out, carefully closing the door behind her.

Chapter 312

Early the next morning, Michael woke up before seven. He stretched, spotted the gifts by his pillow, and grabbed them eagerly.

Teresa was also awake. She opened his bedroom door and saw him playing with a toy car.

"Happy Children's Day, sweetheart," Teresa said, walking over to him.

"Mom, is this the surprise you were talking about?" Michael asked.