Chapter 38
Arms loaded with shopping bags, Teresa strode back into Narcigh by herself. Miriam observed as she let the bags fall onto the couch with a thud.
“I got you these from the mall. Jonathan insisted on paying,” Teresa said, her tone casual.
Miriam’s eyes popped. “Your ex-husband sure knows how to treat people. Why didn’t he drive you back?” she asked, a playful grin on her face.
Teresa’s brow furrowed slightly as she gave a dismissive shrug. “Who knows what’s bugging him? Maybe he’s hitting a mid-life crisis early,” she joked.
Miriam nearly choked on her drink. At twenty-nine, Jonathan was far from being ancient.
Teresa let the comment slide and moved on to check on Michael. She’d been worried Jonathan might see their son, so she’d arranged for Miriam to take him back to Narcigh before Jonathan could spot him.
That night, while Teresa was absorbed in managing her online shop, Michael snuck up behind her and hugged her neck, reminding her, “Mommy, you promised me three wishes. You haven’t even asked about them.”
Teresa leaned in with a teasing smile. “Hit me up. What are your top three wishes!”
Michael took a moment, his eyes lighting up as he decided. “Fried chicken, that’s my first!”
Teresa chuckled and proposed, “We could totally order some and have a cozy dinner at home. How does that sound?”
“Great!” Michael exclaimed with a nod.
With a hint of expectation in her voice, Teresa pressed, “Alright, what about your second wish?” She had a feeling it might be about her finding a new partner.
Michael surprised her with his thoughtful reply. “I wish you wouldn’t stay up so late. You should be in bed by eleven, no more of this all-nighter work.”
Teresa was taken aback, her eyes brimming with emotion. She replied affectionately, her voice wavering, “I’ll make sure to rest more, I promise.”
With curiosity piqued, Teresa asked, “And your third wish?”
Michael’s smile stretched from ear to ear, his eyes nearly lost in the grin. “I want you to find me a new dad, pronto!”
Teresa’s smile ebbed away at the answer she’d anticipated. She draped her arm over his shoulder. “Absolutely, kiddo. We’re gonna find you a stepdad who’s kind, caring, and a total hottie—one who’ll treat us like royalty.”
Michael looked up at Teresa, his eyes full of curiosity. “Mommy, what did my real dad look like?”
Teresa’s expression flickered as she responded, “Like I always say, he wasn’t exactly a looker.”
Michael whispered, “So, he was like Shrek?”
Teresa offered a wry smile. “Let’s say he was a bit more appealing than Shrek.”
“Huh?” Michael slipped away from Teresa, raced to the mirror, and examined his reflection. “But I think I’m pretty handsome.”
Teresa’s grin grew, filled with maternal pride. “Of course you are, sweetie. You’ve got Mommy’s stellar genes.”
Michael, gazing intently from Teresa to his mirror image, said earnestly, “Mommy, we don’t look alike at all.”
Teresa was caught off guard. “Don’t worry. You’ll fill out your looks soon enough. You’ll be the mirror image of Mommy then,” she explained with a warm smile.
There was a quiet, “Fine,” in return.
Back in Narcigh, Jonathan was at a ritzy dinner party with Benny, where he was gulping down his drinks one after another.
Chapter 38
Benny, picking up on Jonathan’s dark mood, cautiously offered, “Want me to reach out to Teresa?”
At the sound of her name, Jonathan’s expression turned sour. “No need. She’s not my wife anymore.”
Benny, sensing something was amiss, probed further, “So what’s the deal? You made a fortune and hurried back. Wasn’t it to mend things? I can tell there’s still a spark between you two.”
“Spark? Really?” Jonathan scoffed, his voice laced with sarcasm. “How did you tell that? Love’s been out the window for a long time now.” He drained his wineglass in one go.