Chapter 835

“Why should I fight for custody?” Jonathan shook off Irene’s hand and said coldly, “I don’t want to, and I won’t.”

Irene scoffed angrily. “What did you say? You threatened to sue Teresa’s sister, but didn’t. Teresa’s family treated you badly. Even Donald ignored you. They lied and tricked you. Have you forgotten how they used to treat you?”

Jonathan fell silent, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he said, “Teresa’s sister and Donald have paid for their actions. I won’t hold onto this forever. Teresa has raised Mike for over three years. I can’t ignore that.”

“So you’re going to hand Mike over to Teresa without even putting up a fight?”

“She gave birth to him. I have no right to snatch him away,” Jonathan snapped.

“But you’re Mike’s biological father. You’re more capable and qualified to raise him than Teresa,” Irene argued.

Jonathan stared coldly at Irene and added, “Do you want me and her fighting over Mike in court? How would that help him? Do you care about Mike or just the benefits? You always side with whoever offers more, don’t you?”

Jonathan thought, ‘I can’t see through her anymore. She wasn’t the strong, independent woman I once knew. Now, she seems obsessed with money. When did she become so shrewd and materialistic?’

Suddenly, his phone started ringing, shattering the heavy atmosphere.

Jonathan glanced at the caller ID, didn’t pick up, and was about to walk away.

“Stop right there!” Irene shouted.

She stared at Jonathan’s back as he was leaving, tears streaming down her face.

“I raised you all by myself, and yet every time, you end up arguing with me because of that woman. Is that fair to me?” Irene cried out.

“You say I don’t care about Mike, but I’ve sacrificed so much. I know how hard life is without money. I only wanted you to have a loving wife, a good mother for Mike, and a decent life. What did I do wrong?” she continued.

The freshly wrapped ravioli on the table sat cold and untouched, mirroring the heavy silence hanging thick in the air.

Ever since Jonathan’s father, Yorick, passed away, Irene had devoted all her energy to Jonathan.

Jonathan’s gaze softened slightly. He turned around and said with a sigh, “Mom, you should understand how hard it is for Teresa to raise a child on her own, right?”

“But she doesn’t love you. She’s not genuine with you,” Irene pressed.

“So you think Yalena cares about me?” Jonathan shot back. “I’ve told you a hundred times, stop trying to play matchmaker for me.”

“Yalena is your destined partner. I even had your fortune told.”

Jonathan frowned in confusion and thought ‘What does she even mean by that?’

Irene said, trying to explain herself, “I wasn’t even planning to set you two up anymore, but a few days ago, I visited a temple to have your fortune read.

“The master said your true soulmate would appear this year, two years younger, born in October, and an only child, just like Yalena. Marry her, and your life will improve without Teresa’s troubles.”

“Enough!” Jonathan snapped, cutting her off, his voice edged with frustration. “How can you still believe in this stuff in this day and age? I don’t trust anyone else. I only trust myself.”

Chapter 535

“There are some things you have to believe in,” Irene insisted. “The master saw Yalena is your destined partner. That proves you two are a perfect match. You should marry her.”

Jonathan frowned, realizing he couldn’t communicate with Irene anymore. He couldn’t agree with her way of thinking.

“I’ll sue that so-called master tomorrow,” Jonathan said firmly. “And I’ll make it clear. I’m not marrying into the Kelly family. I won’t marry a woman I don’t even love.” With that, he grabbed his coat and headed out.

“Stop right there. Where are you going?” Irene shouted after him.

The door slammed shut with a bang. All she heard in reply was the sound of his car fading into the distance.

Irene pressed her hand to her forehead, deeply worried. Her son’s marriage was a mess, and Mike wasn’t officially a Lynn. She was overwhelmed with concerns and unsure when things would be resolved.

It was said a person could only relax once their kids grew up, but Irene could never have felt at ease then.

At Rosary Estates, it was already nine o’clock. Dinner had ended, and Evelyn and Lucas were cleaning the tableware when a knock came at the door.

Evelyn washed her hands and went to open it. When she saw Jonathan standing outside, she paused in surprise.

“Jonathan? What took you so long? We thought you weren’t coming, and we’d already finished dinner,” Evelyn said.

“Sorry, Evelyn, I got held up on the way,” Jonathan replied. He was carrying a few gifts in his hands.

Evelyn quickly said, “You don’t have to bring so much.”

“I couldn’t just show up empty-handed,” Jonathan said with a smile.

Jonathan stepped inside as Evelyn welcomed him in.

“Daddy, Mr. Daddy Lime!” Michael called out, dashing over to Jonathan.

“Mike,” Jonathan bent down and scooped Michael up into his arms, his eyes softening instantly.

“Why did you take so long? I thought you weren’t coming,” Michael cried as he clung to Jonathan’s neck, acting all cute and whiny.

Jonathan kissed his forehead, guilt tugging at his heart. Then he said, “Sorry, I got held up with something. I’ve been swamped these days and haven’t spent much time with you. Did you miss me?”

He set Michael down and gave Lucas, who had walked out of the kitchen, a quick greeting.

“Jonathan, what’s up with the news today?” Lucas asked, cutting straight to the point.

“Yeah, we all saw it. Are you getting set up for an arranged marriage? Is any of that true?” Evelyn added.

Jonathan was surprised they’d all seen the news already.

Michael tugged at Jonathan’s hand, his face full of confusion. “Mr. Daddy Lime, what’s an arranged marriage?” he asked.

Before he could say a word, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight. He looked over and saw Teresa coming out of the room. Right now, his eyes were only on her.

“So, I heard you’re getting into an arranged marriage?” Teresa asked as she walked over, her voice cold and distant.

Jonathan frowned, just about to say something, when Michael tugged at Teresa’s sleeve and asked in his childish voice, “Mom, what does arranged marriage even mean?”

Telvsa walked over, stood behind Michael, and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. She said, enunciating every word, “Arranged marriage just means getting married.”

Michael blinked his big, adorable eyes and covered his mouth, looking super cute and surprised.

“Mom, who’s getting married then?” he asked, tilting his head with a puzzled look.

“The man right in front of you. He’s about to marry another woman,” Teresa replied, her face blank as she looked at Jonathan.

After she finished speaking, Teresa looked at Jonathan with a blank, unreadable expression.

“No way, you’re lying to me, right?” Michael blurted out anxiously, grabbing tightly onto Jonathan’s hand.

“Daddy, are you getting married? Please don’t marry some other lady, okay?”

Michael’s eyes were already brimming with pleading tears. Right now, he clung to Jonathan’s hand for dear life, terrified that if he let go, he might lose his daddy forever.