Chapter 10
The divorce came about when it dawned on Jonathan that Teresa didn’t cherish his love as deeply as he had thought she did
Miriam stared at Jonathan, her brow furrowed with questions. “You’re engaged, I heard, and you’re still hung up on Teresa! What’s the real reason you’re back in Narrigh”
Ignoring her questions, Jonathan handed Miriam a bank card. “Tm depositing thirty thousand for an online store. Include Teresa and split the profits. It could mean about fifteen thousand a month for each of you.
Tcan’t give more without it looking suspicious. But once the store is doing well, I’ll invest another 15 million.
Miriam’s skepticism was clear as she replied. “We’re both business newbies, Aren’t you worried we’ll screw this up?”
Jonathan’s voice was steady, “I trust Teresa”
Minum let out a small, “Oh” feeling a bit like the third wheel.
Then. Miriam got to the point. “By the way, what’s the deal with Edward Where is her”
Jonathan took a quick peek at his watch. “He’s still in class, but he’ll be around tomorrow,” he told Miriam, producing three concert tickets from his pocket. “Take Teresa out for a breather.
With that, Jonathan had to dash; he had a meeting to get to and was buried under work.
Miriam received the VIP tickets to a concert featuring a top singer from Jonathan’s secretary,
Giving a thumbs–up. Miriam commented, “Money talks!”
The secretary chimed in. “These are complimentary, Mr. Lynn didn’t spend a penny.”
Miriam quickly revised her statement. “Guess it’s all about having the right influence, right?”
Teresa was hesitant about the concert. She wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of scrambling to find a last–minute babysitter
Miriam waved off her worries, determined not to let the VIP tickets go to waste.
Teresa, her curiosity piqued, inquired about the origin of the tickets.
Miriam deftly sidestepped the question, claiming they were a gift from one of her father’s clients. She then coaxed Teresa with the lure of col making the outing more enticing.
Once they were seated, Miriam’s gaze scanned the crowd, clearly on a mission to find someone. When she spotted who she was looking for, she enthusiastically waved and shouted. “Over here!”
Teresa’s surprise was evident as she looked in the direction Miriam was waving. She saw a tall, slim guy with a sharp haircut, clad in a black varsity jacket and crisp sneakers. “Edward” she blurted, completely taken aback to see him there.
Miriam’s face brightened as she spotted Edward. “Eddie, it’s been ages!” she greeted him with a warm smile.
Edward, taken aback, scanned the area. “Where’s my cousin?” he asked, referring to Jonathan
Jonathan had mentioned he’d be the one to handle the tickets today
With a teasing grin, Miriam winked at him. “Your cousin bailed,” she said, her tone light
Edward’s face showed his shock. “What?” he uttered
Miriam, already pulling on Edward’s sleeve as she stood, encouraged him. “Don’t be shy”
Edward felt like he wanted to thee but found isimself rooted to the spot.
Teresa let out a slightly helpless smile and interjected, “Guys, could you please take your seats? You’re obstructing the view for the people in the
Edward reluctantly took a seat, his expression one of disappointment. “It’s been so long. “Teresa,” he said to Teresa. “How’s it going with you and my
Teresa offered a grote smile in reply. “We’re each on our
on our own paths now, and we’re both managing well”
2:03 PM
Chapter 10
Edward’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What are you talking about?” he asked.
Miriam looked equally shocked. “You didn’t know they got divorced?” she blurted out, surprise evident in her voice,
mathan were made for Edward’s eyes widened as he gaped at Teresa. “You guys broke up? I had no clue. What happened! I always thought you and Jonathan
each other.”
With a soft sigh. Teresa offered a bittersweet smile. “It’s been two years since we called it quits.”
Edward looked genuinely puzzled. “Wait, really? He never mentioned it to me”
Meanwhile, Miriam was taken with Edward’s youthful charm–his clean features, radiant skin, and striking profile that was undeniably appealing.
On a whim, Miriam leaned over and planted a quick kiss on Edward’s check
Edward jolied, his land instinctively reaching for his cheek as he tried to process what had just happened. “Why’d you kiss me?” he asked, his voice a mix of surprise and confusion.
Miriam chuckled, a playful smile spreading across her face. “I couldn’t help myself” she admitted, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Feeling a jolt of surprise, Edward quickly traded places with Teresa
Miriam was left without words as Teresa seemed to be fighting back laughter.
With the concert over, they all started to pack up to head out
Teresa, who always seemed to sense these things, announced, “I have a few things to do, so I’ll just catch a cab. You two should go enjoy some shopping or something. Then she gave Mirian a look that spoke volumes.
Miriam picked up on it instantly
antly and linked arms with Edward, suggesting they
ev walk back to school together.
Teresa figured she’d take the subway, which was conveniently just a few miles away.
“Teresa?!” A stylishly dressed man, with a chic woman at his side, strode up to Tereu, calling out her name.
Teresa’s steps faltered as she took in the familiar face. It was Jason Hunter, her ex–boyfriend from the days before Jonathan. He’d pursued her relentlessly, and for a moment, she’d believed he could be the one.
That dream had quickly turned sour. Once they were together, she caught hun firing with other women and overheard him belittling her to his friends, labeling her as a snob, a tease, and a fake bombshell
Recalling the rage that had coursed through her, she could almost feel her hands shaking again as she’d smashed his phone and ended things on Die spot
The woman with Jason, her lips painted a striking red, looked at Teresa with a hint of suspicion Jason, who is she?” she questioned, a tinge of envy In her voice.
Jason scanned Teresa from head to com, a smug smile on his face. “Just my ex,” he dismissed, his voice dripping with self–importance.
Teresa snorted dismissively, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Tm not the type to be an ex, especially not with my high standards Turning to the girl with a smirk, she asked, “Are you just someone Jason’s been flirting with?”
Jason’s face twisted into a scowl at Teresa’s remark.
The girl, indignant, retorted, “What? We met at a club, and is was love at first sight. Our relationship is rock–solid!”
Teresa responded with a slow, sarcastic clap. “Love at first sight in a club, huh? That’s the stuff of fairy tales, Good luck with that Just watch out he doesn’t wander off” With a final cutting remark, she began to walk away.
Jason, his tone dripping with scorn, called after her. “Heading to the subway, Teresa? I saw your Porsche in the junkyard. What’s the deal‘ Did Jonathan leave you, or did you two break up! I haven’t seen you showing off your relationship for a while.”
The tension in Teresa was palpable when a set of headlights pierced the night, and a gleaming Maybach rolled to a stop. The car’s impeccable condition looked like it had just left the dealership.
The driver opened the door and got out, revealing a tall, fit man in a well–tailored suit, his good looks and confident presence unmistakable.
Teresa’s eyes widened in surprise as Jonathan emerged, wearing a striking purple suit that was new to her–a doring fashion statement.
As Jonathan approached Teresa, he gently placed his hand on her waist and planted a tender kiss on her check. “Sorry I’m late, babe,” he said, a tinge
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Chapter 10
of remorse in his voice.
Teresa’s brow creased with concern. “What held you up?” she queried, a tinge of awkwardness lacing her words.
Jonathan shrugged it off with a grin. “Closed a billion–dollar deal, and then traffic was a nightmare. Sorry about that,” he said, acknowledging his
Landiness
Teresa, catching Jonathan’s protective move, mumbled awkwardly, “Got IL”
With his arm around Teresai, Jonathan confronted Jason and the woman. “I saw you poigling at Teresa. Did she say something that bothered you?
The woman, picking
the tension, pulled at Jason’s sleeve and whispered, “Let’s get out of here. This guy’s loaded. We shouldn’t mess with
him:
up on
Jason muttered under his breath, “He wasn’t that wealthy before, I doubt he made it big on his own.”
Jonathan’s voice was calm but firm as he questioned, “What did you say, Jason!” His gaze was piercing.
Quick to defuse the sination, the woman said, “He didn’t mean anything by itt Sorry, it’s our fault. We’re leaving now
As Teresa watched them leave, she felt both shocked and relieved. It was hard to believe she had ever been with someone like that.
Teresa, hips slightly parted, murmured her gratitude as they cruised down the street. “I appreciate you backing me up back there.”|||
Curious, Jonathan shot her a sidelong glance. “Still thinking about your ex?”
Teresa responded with a wave of her hand, as if brushing away the thought. “That jerk is not even on my radar. Why would I give him a second. thought!
Jonathan’s lips curled into a half–simile. You seem pretty ticked off. There’calways a little love in the mix when there’s this much anger.”
Though they’d been married for two years, Teresa often seemed emotionally removed from him.
Without further comment, Teresa just gave Jonathan a measured lant.
It wasn’t until they were approaching the corner that jonathan spoke up again. Grandpa’s rolled back into town”
Teresa’s eyes popped. “Really?”
As Jonathan checked the rearview mirror, he raised an eyebrow, “Grandpa’s birthday is coming up tomorrow. Did you forget?”
Teresa smacked her forehead lightly Jonathan’s grandpa, Hayden Lynn, had always been incredibly warm to her. She realized it had been ages since their last visit.
Teresa spoke softly, her concern evident as she asked. “How’s Hayden’s health these days?”
Jonathan’s response was cool “He’s managing.
Teresa stopped for a moment, lost in memories of the past. She recalled how eager Hayden had been for them to start a family immediately after their marriage, stating that such opportunities were rate.
Jonathan lowered his voice. “He’s still unaware that we’ve divorced
Nodding in agreement, Teresa replied. “And with Hayden’s heart condition, u’s best we keep it from him. It’s too risky to tell him the truth.”
Jonathan shifted the topic quickly. “His birthday is tomorrow. I need you to act like we’re still married, just for that day. There’ll be a generous bonis for you once it’s done”
Upon hearing about the bonus. Teresa clapped her hands playfully, teasing. “Mr. Lynn, you’re really showing off your wealth these days”
jonathan casually crossed his legs, a teasing grin on his face. “You know, there’s more I can show aff, like my talents between the sheets.”
