Benny said, “We’re not saying you can’t see your grandson. As long as Teresa gives her permission, you can still visit the child."
'Teresa’s permission? What’s the difference between that and never seeing my grandson again?' Irene thought.
She waved her hand and said, “I won’t sign it. Don’t push me too far.”
Jonathan said with a blank expression, “If you won’t sign, that’s your choice. I’ll call my grandma right now and let her know you’re planning to move in with her.”
Irene grew anxious, clutching Jonathan’s sleeve. Then he shouted, “I’m your mother! You’re breaking my heart and already getting old. How can you be so heartless to me?"
Jonathan stayed silent. His sharply defined jaw was clenched, and his handsome face was cold, shadowed by complicated emotions.
If he didn’t stay tough this time, Irene would sneak off to see Teresa and the child behind his back the next time he wasn’t around, bringing more trouble to them.
He had to set an example. Steeling himself, Jonathan pulled Irene’s hand away. “I’m not your son anymore. I’m also a father to two children, and I have a duty to protect their mother,” he said.
Irene sobbed, pounding her chest. “And what about me? I’ve waited my whole life for a grandson. Does this mean I’ll never get to see my grandchild for the rest of my life?” she spat out.
Jonathan said, “You’ll still be able to see the kids during the holidays. I’m not going to keep you from your grandson forever.”
Irene lowered her head, looking down at the guarantee letter, unwilling.
Jonathan pressed, “Come on, sign it. Don’t forget what you promised me when you got here. Do you want me to cut off your allowance card?”
They stared each other down for a moment, tension thick in the air.
“Fine, I’ll sign it,” Irene said. She snatched up the pen, still full of reluctance, and scrawled her name on the guarantee letter.
'So, is he satisfied now?' Irene thought bitterly, her heart still full of reluctance.
Jonathan turned to Benny and asked, “Isn’t there a statement about giving up custody of the child?”
That was the statement Jonathan had to sign because he was the child’s father.
Benny hesitated for a couple of seconds before slowly pulling the statement giving up custody out of his bag.
Jonathan glanced at the document that declared Jonathan would never seek custody of Michael, and that all parental rights would belong to Teresa alone unless he and Teresa ever got back together.
He popped the cap off the pen and was about to sign without a word when a hand suddenly slammed down on his. It was Irene. She was stopping Jonathan, her hand pressing his firmly to keep him from signing.
Irene cried out, “Jonathan, don’t. What if you regret it someday? If you sign this now, you’ll never have a chance to take it back.”
'I won’t regret it,' Jonathan said. He had promised Michael that he would never let him be separated from Teresa.
He also promised Teresa he’d give her the security she deserved, so she never had to live in fear again.
Jonathan pushed Irene’s hand away. Irene shouted, “Benny, help me hold my mom for a moment.”
With Irene shouting for him not to sign and Benny holding her back, Jonathan didn’t hesitate for a second. He signed his name in the bottom right corner, firm and decisive.
Chapter 867
Jonathan’s signature stood out, bold and resolute. Irene could only watch helplessly as Jonathan signed the statement and even stamped his fingerprint on it, powerless to stop him.
Benny finally let go of Irene, and she went limp, her whole body drained of strength. 'How did it come to this?' Irene thought, despair washing over her. For a split second, regret flashed in Irene’s eyes.