Cheryl stepped in, saying, “I’ll handle the DNA test. I’ll choose the expedited option so we can have the results in 24 hours.” Hayden nodded, completely trusting Cheryl. “All right, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Don’t worry, Grandpa. And Irene, you too. I’ll update you both as soon as I get the results,” Cheryl assured them. Irene nodded as Cheryl carefully collected hair samples from Jonathan and Michael, sealing them in a bag with precision.
While Irene felt certain the test would settle everything, Jonathan’s firm denial of being the child’s father planted a seed of doubt in her mind.
Hayden shifted the topic, suggesting Michael stay the night. Michael, however, clung tightly to Jonathan’s neck, refusing to let go.
“Mike, why don’t you stay here? I can make you something really delicious,” Irene coaxed gently.
Michael’s eyes lit up momentarily at the mention of food but dimmed again as he shook his head. “I’m shy,” he mumbled. “I don’t like staying at other people’s houses.”
“I’m not a stranger,” Irene said with a light chuckle, but Michael stubbornly held onto Jonathan, shaking his head with the same firm resolve.
Jonathan frowned slightly. “Don’t push him. I’ll take him to my place for the night.” Michael’s face broke into a bright smile at Jonathan’s words.
Hayden stayed on the porch, watching Jonathan’s car drive away with Michael safely inside. Finally, he sighed and allowed Cheryl to guide him back into the house.
“The kid wasn’t this shy when we first met,” Hayden sighed.
“Maybe he’s just nervous around new faces,” Cheryl replied. “He hasn’t met Irene before.”
Irene stiffened at the comment, her sharp gaze landing on Cheryl. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying I look scary?”
Cheryl coughed awkwardly. “Not at all. Well, I’d better get going to handle the DNA test. Wish me luck!”
Jonathan didn’t take Michael back to his place. Instead, he dropped the boy off at Christian’s house and left without further ado. He never encountered Michael’s supposed mother during the process.
Once Jonathan had gone, Christian brought Michael to Teresa. “How did it go today?” she asked eagerly.
Michael puffed out his chest with pride. “I was amazing! I think I deserve a perfect score of 200 for my behavior!”
Teresa looked amused. “Really? You didn’t talk too much, did you?”
Michael held up three fingers. “I said less than three sentences! I’m shy, you know.”
Teresa suppressed a laugh. “Sounds like you did great! In that case, I’ll keep my promise. We’ll have Pizza Hut at home tomorrow.”
“Yay!” Michael cheered. “But can we get Domino’s Pizza instead? I’m kind of craving it.”
Teresa smiled and patted his head. “All right, we’ll get both. But take it easy—your cold just got better. We don’t want you overdoing it.”
Michael nodded enthusiastically. ‘As long as I get a bag of chips first!’ he thought.
“Mommy,” Michael began hesitantly, “why hasn’t Mr. Lime said I’m his son yet?”
Teresa froze. The words “he’s not your dad” lingered on her lips but wouldn’t come out. Instead, she tousled his hair softly. “Grown-up things are complicated,” she said finally. “But doesn’t he treat you well? That’s what matters.”
After she tucked her son into bed, Teresa’s phone buzzed. Christian had transferred fifteen thousand dollars to her and sent a message: [Mrs. Lynn, this is from Mr. Lynn. He wanted to thank me for letting him spend the afternoon with Mike. Mr. Lynn is Mike’s father, but I only got the money because of my lie. I feel too ashamed to keep it.]
He continued: [I’ve worked for Mr. Lynn for two years, and he’s been nothing but generous. Hiding this from him feels wrong. Maybe you should tell him the truth.] Teresa stared at the message before glancing at her son. ‘Maybe it’s time to tell him,’ she thought. It’d be better to hear it directly from her.
She responded: [Christian, don’t feel guilty. I’m the one who should apologize. I dragged you and Sherry into this without considering how you two would feel about it. Please keep the money, and I’ll speak to him about Mike soon.]
Christian replied with a crying sticker. Teresa sent one final message: [I mean it. Please keep the money. I promise I’ll talk to Jonathan soon.]
The expedited DNA test Cheryl arranged returned quickly, and the results were undeniable—Michael wasn’t Jonathan’s son. Hayden and Irene were deeply disheartened. Michael bore such a striking resemblance to Jonathan, and they found it hard to believe the two weren’t father and son. A heavy sadness hung over the Lynn residence.
“Grandpa, Irene,” Cheryl said, trying to ease the tension, “I had this test done at two separate testing centers. The results are the same. He’s really not Jonathan’s child. Please, don’t keep hoping otherwise. There will be grandchildren someday.”
It was little consolation as they couldn’t help wondering when that “someday” would come. Only Jonathan wasn’t frazzled by the ordeal. He had long insisted that Michael wasn’t his son, but no one believed him.
“Come with me for a moment,” Irene, wiping a tear from her cheek, pulled Jonathan aside to the study.
“I thought I finally had a grandson,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “If Mike were yours, I wouldn’t keep pushing you to date. But since he’s not, you need to get serious about meeting someone. You’re 30 now. You can’t stay single forever.” Jonathan furrowed his brows. “I’ve told you already, Mom. There’s only one person I care about. I don’t have feelings toward anyone else.”
“You don’t give anyone else a chance?” Irene countered, her voice growing sharper. “You don’t even try! The few times you meet someone, you leave after five minutes. How can anyone fall for you when you’re like that?”
Jonathan paused, but his response was firm. “What I said earlier still stands. I won’t change my mind.”
“You’re going to drive me mad!” Irene exclaimed, lightly pounding her fists on his arm. “And to think I raised you alone after your dad passed.”
She continued, “You were always such a sensible child. You got into Querencia University at 16, finished your PhD at Alorian Institute of Technology by 19, and now your career is soaring. Why is love the one thing you can’t figure out?” Irene had been praying for the day her son’s soulmate would finally appear.