Chapter 363

The next day, after Jonathan sobered up, he called Irene and apologized. “Mom, I was drunk yesterday and not really myself. Sorry if I said anything out of line.” After all, she was still his mother.

Irene laughed it off. “Don’t worry about it. A mom doesn’t stay mad at her own kid. I just don’t want Teresa coming between us, and that’s all—I just hope you can stop thinking about—”

“That’s enough,” Jonathan cut her off, sounding as if he truly didn’t want to hear that name. “Let’s not talk about Teresa.”

Irene snorted. “You don’t want me to say it? Well, I’m going to anyway. Stop obsessing over Teresa. It’s time to move on.”

“I just can’t help it,” he said, unsure how to describe his feelings. “I’m the one who keeps chasing after her. I’m the one who can’t let go. Everything that’s happening now—I brought it on myself.”

Irene felt a wave of frustration. She couldn’t understand why Jonathan always took Teresa’s side. “What on earth did Teresa do to him?” she wondered.

“She said she’s done with you. If she really means it, she shouldn’t ever see you again, not even for her sister’s engagement,” Irene said.

“That’s her own sister, and it’s a huge deal. How could she not show up?” Jonathan replied.

“Anyway, she said she won’t come to any Lynn family events. If she’s got the guts, she should stick to her word and cut ties with the Lynn family and you for good,” Irene blurted, becoming increasingly agitated.

Jonathan fell silent for a few seconds, then abruptly changed the subject. “How about I set you up with someone? What kind of guy do you like? Someone like Dad?”

Irene exclaimed, “What? Why are you dragging me into this? I’m talking about your life! I’m already this old; what do I need a partner for?”

“You’re not old at all. You take good care of yourself. I bet I could find you a great match,” Jonathan teased.

Irene was speechless. “You’re really trying to drive me crazy! I’m talking about you. I’ve already picked out a bunch of rich, pretty, and well-educated girls for you.”

Jonathan laughed. “How about this—let’s both go on blind dates. We’ll remarry together. How’s that?”

Irene stared at her phone in disbelief. “Jonathan, are you sure you’re sober?”

“I’m totally sober. If I remarry, I’d worry about leaving you alone. Maybe we should just get married together,” Jonathan joked.

“I think you’re definitely still drunk! You’re going to drive me crazy,” Irene huffed, at a loss for words. “Go get something for your hangover,” she snapped and hung up.

Jonathan had barely hung up when his phone rang again. He glanced at the caller ID, raised an eyebrow in surprise, and answered, “Hello, Miriam?”

A child’s sobs came through the line. “Mr. Lime, it’s me, Mike,” the voice whimpered.

Jonathan immediately recognized the little boy. He let out a gentle “mm” and asked softly, “What’s wrong, Mike?”

“Why did you ignore me yesterday when I called you?” Michael asked.

Jonathan was confused. “What? When did you call me? Where were you?”

Michael sniffled hard. “At the door! I ran after you and called your name, but you just turned around and left.”

“Don’t you like me anymore? I said I’d be your sidekick when I grow up, but now you don’t want me as your sidekick?”

Jonathan paused. “Mike, I really didn’t hear you yesterday. I’d had a few drinks, and it was pretty windy, so I must have missed it. How about I apologize to you in person? Why don’t you ask Miriam to bring you to my office?”

At that point, Miriam grabbed the phone. “No need for a big apology. My cousin’s kid just misunderstood and thought you were ignoring him. He got upset and insisted on calling you himself,” Miriam explained.

“I see. Can you give the phone back to Mike?” Jonathan said.

He added, “I’m sorry, Mike. I wasn’t ignoring you. Next time you call me, I’ll answer right away.”

That finally made the little boy smile. “You promised, Mr. Lime! Next time, you can’t ignore me.”

Jonathan agreed, “Alright.”

After comforting him, Miriam hung up and then took Michael’s hand to find Teresa outside the room.

Miriam let out a sigh. “Seriously, you and Jonathan really aren’t talking anymore? I even have to make the call for you.”

“We really aren’t,” Teresa replied. “Thanks for helping.”

Michael wouldn’t stop crying, thinking Jonathan was ignoring him and insisting on making a call. Teresa was out of options, so she called Miriam over to help.

After Miriam left, Teresa washed Michael’s face.

Michael grinned. “Mom, I misunderstood Mr. Lime. He said he was drinking last night and didn’t see me.”

Teresa paused while wiping his face. ‘He was drinking again? Well, it was the Lynn family dinner yesterday. Of course, he had to have a few drinks with the elders,’ she thought. But she didn’t even know when he got back to Nareigh.

Teresa snapped out of it and smiled at Michael. “Hey, no more overthinking, okay? My son is the coolest. Who wouldn’t like you?”

“But Mom, Grandma doesn’t like me,” Michael mumbled.