Chapter 39
Benny checked his watch and saw it was after nine. He was about to leave, but Jonathan stopped him. “Heading out so soon! Stay. Let’s grab one more drink, Jonathan insisted.
“It’s getting late” Benny announced, making his way towards the exit. “I’ve got a game to watch. You should head home too
Jonathan’s gaze fell. “There’s no one at home for me. It’s just an empty house.”
Benny’s voice softened with a hint of concern. “I’ve said it before. You should’ve had kids when you had the chance. Even after a divorce, there’d be that connection. Now, what’s keeping you from moving on!”
Lost in thought, Jonathan felt a pang of regret for not having a child with Teresa. Early in their marriage, they had chosen his career over starting a family, a decision he had upheld carefully.
The sole exception occurred right before their split when a night of heavy drinking led to unprotected intimacy with Teresa.
She later erased his worries with a straightforward remark. I’m on the pill, so there won’t be any surprises affecting the divorce.” They signed the papers, finalizing their separation, and then parted ways.
Jonathan, clutching his glass, grudgingly agreed, “You’re right. He was plagued by what–ifs–imagining the joy of having a child, a daughter he would’ve doted on.
At Rosary Estates, a sudden shiver ran through Teresa. Figuring it was from wearing only a slip post–shower, she quickly grabbed a jacket. With her son asleep, she took her spot cross–legged in front of the computer, settling in for the evening.
With a newfound sense of relief after checking the store’s earnings, Teresa reached for her phone and called Miriam “Miriam guess what? We hit 15k this month. I want you to take the whole amount, Teresa said, her voice filled with gratitude
I can’t just take it all, Miriam replied
there for Mike. You’ve eamed it, Teresa insisted, her tone resolute
Tm serious. You’re the one who invested, and you’re always th
Miriam’s voice softened with a hint of reminiscence. “We’ve been friends since we were little, and you’re still so formal with me.” Teresa laughed it off “That’s exactly why I’m doing this. We’re best friends, and I won’t have you going without what you deserve.” After hanging up, Teresa noticed it was past ten. She’d made a promise to her son to be in bed by then, and she intended to keep it. So. she closed her computer and started winding down for the night.
Meanwhile, a black Maybach pulled into the parking lot, and the driver assisted Jonathan out, noting. “Mr. Lynn, you’ve had a lot to drink tonight”
jonathan brushed off his driver’s outstretched hand, his speech thick with alcohol, I’m not drunk, he muttered, before making his way unsteadily toward the apartment building.
With a casual wave, he dismissed the driver. “My wife is waiting for me at home, and I’m sure yours is waiting for you too!
The driver grinned wryly, never having seen Jonathan so drunk. As Jonathan kept urging to go to Rosary Estates to see his wife, the driver had no choice but to take Jonathan here..
In the building, Jonathan struggled with the elevator panel before hitting the button for the tenth floor. As the elevator chimed, he leaned on the wall for support, shakily navigating to Teresa’s apartment.
At the door, he hunched over the keypad, struggling to enter his code. The door finally beeped, unlocked, and opened wide.
Entering the house, Jonathan tossed his shoes to the side, a thoughtful expression on his face as he commented, “We need to change the door code. It’s still six sixes.”
The stillness of the home wrapped around him, and he whispered to himself, “She’s probably already hit the hay,” his tone hushed.
He quietly made his way to the bedroom, easing the door open to find Teresa asleep, her face relaxed and tranquil
His worried look faded as he leaned in to tenderly kiss her cheek. “Sorry. Im late, babe, Had a bit too much to drink tonight. I’m skipping the shower, he murmured, snuggling into bed and pulling her close.
11
12:39 PM CD
