Chapter 89

In the CEO’s office, Michael ate some snacks and then fell asleep in Jonathan’s breakroom. The way Michael lay there—his long eyelashes, high nose bridge, and delicate face—reminded Jonathan of Teresa. She, too, liked sleeping on her stomach, finding it more comfortable, even though it put pressure on her heart. Since the night he proposed remarriage and was rejected, they had ceased all contact. He figured he'd have to wait for her to reach out in a future lifetime if he didn't initiate contact.

“Mike, wake up,” Jonathan called several times, but Michael remained asleep. Knowing he had to leave, he reluctantly lifted Michael from the bed. Only then did Michael awaken.

“Mmm,” Michael murmured, slowly opening his sleepy eyes and looking around. “Where am I?”

“You’re in my break room. It’s getting late. You should go home, or your mom will worry,” Jonathan said, then called Christian to collect Michael.

Michael yawned. “Mommy probably isn’t home yet. She often works overtime and gets home late.”

As Michael finished speaking, his stomach rumbled. He looked down at his belly and said, “Daddy, I’m hungry.”

Jonathan pursed his lips, gazing into Michael’s innocent eyes. Later, he would often regret not recognizing Michael as his son immediately. The obvious was only obvious in retrospect. If Michael had resembled Teresa, he would have recognized him instantly, but the child so closely resembled him that he failed to notice the likeness.

“What do you want to eat?” Jonathan gently patted Michael’s head, unaware that his voice had softened considerably.

Michael replied, “I want to eat… some bread. I want hash browns, a brioche, and a croissant.”

Jonathan smiled faintly, remembering that Teresa also enjoyed bread of all kinds. He recalled a time before their divorce when Teresa had eaten bread for three consecutive days.

“Let’s go eat some bread then,” he said.

“Hooray! You’re the best, Daddy!” Michael exclaimed.

Looking at Michael’s clear eyes, Jonathan felt a pang of distress. He wanted to tell Michael he wasn't his father, but the boy was beaming.

Chapter 90

“Mike, why do you insist I’m your daddy?” Jonathan asked patiently, lifting Michael to help him put on his shoes.

Michael replied, “Because… you’re tall and handsome, and you run a big company that makes lots and lots of money. If you were my daddy, my mommy wouldn’t have to work so hard, and we could spend your money.”

Spend my money? Am I some kind of easy target? Jonathan mused, amused by Michael’s innocence and honesty.

He said, “There’s no way your mom and I can be together. My heart belongs to someone else.”

Michael’s face fell, and he pouted. “Who does your heart belong to? Have I met her before?”

Jonathan explained, “I mean, I already like someone else.”

Michael, unconvinced, said, “But my mommy is beautiful.”

Jonathan nodded. “The person I like is also beautiful.”

Michael refused to yield. “My mom is a really beautiful woman! Really, really beautiful!”

Jonathan smiled slightly. “Well, the person I like is also really beautiful.”

Michael huffed. “Then show me her picture. Let me see how beautiful she is.”

Jonathan was amazed by Michael’s cleverness and wondered where he’d gotten it from, considering Christian didn’t seem particularly bright. He gently pinched Michael’s cheek and said, “I won’t show it to you. It’s my secret.”

Michael said, “Hmph, if you don’t show me her picture, I won’t show you my mommy’s picture either. I’m afraid you’ll get a nosebleed when you see her.”

Jonathan was puzzled. He’d never gotten a nosebleed from seeing anyone. Besides, he’d seen Michael’s mother from a distance when Michael asked him for an autograph. She wasn’t his type and wouldn’t cause him to bleed from the nose.

Michael’s stomach rumbled again, clearly indicating his hunger. He shook Jonathan’s arm. “Daddy, will you please take me to get something to eat? I’m really hungry.”

“Call me Mr. Lime, and I’ll take you out to eat,” said Jonathan.

“Okay, Mr. Daddy Lime. Can you please take me out to eat?” Michael continued shaking Jonathan’s arm, pleading until Jonathan was speechless.

Meanwhile, Teresa anxiously waited at home, wondering why Christian hadn’t returned with Michael. Unable to call Christian, she sent him messages while pacing worriedly.

A few minutes later, Christian called, and Teresa answered immediately. “Where’s Mike? Did you bring him back?” she asked.

Christian said, “Mrs. Lynn, bad news. Mr. Lynn said Mike was hungry, so he took him out for a meal. He said he’d bring him home a little later.”

“What?” Teresa was furious, wishing she could throttle Christian through the phone. “Didn’t you tell him his mother was waiting for him at home? You could have made up an excuse to prevent him from taking Michael.”

Christian explained helplessly, “I did tell him that, but Mike himself said you’re working late and wouldn’t be home for him. He insisted on going out to eat with Mr. Lynn.” Teresa was flabbergasted. “Oh my gosh, when did I ever ignore him? That brat needs some discipline.”

Just then, the door opened, and Miriam and the movers arrived. They were there because Sherry was moving; she had decided to move in with Christian to be closer to her workplace.

Teresa told the movers, “Could you please send more people over here? Both of us are moving today.”

“Are you planning to move everything out today, ma’am?” one of the movers asked.

“Yes,” Teresa replied.