The Ex-Wife's Secret (Jonathan and Teresa) novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Teresa swiftly seized the snacks and sharply told Jonathan to leave. “Get going, Jonathan!”

Jonathan smirked, teasing her, “Aren’t you a bit mature for these kiddie snacks?”

“Stay out of it. Teresa retorted, steering him towards the door. “I mean it, get out of my house!”

As Jonathan grabbed her wrist, Teresa’s pulse raced at the anger in his eyes. “What’s with the look?” she inquired, her voice wavering “Change the door’s security code, he commanded.

Teresa felt a sense of relief, glad she’d hidden any trace of Michael when Edward visited. Jonathan, no matter how perceptive, wouldn’t suspect a child was involved.

“I’ll change it when I have time, Teresa said dismissively.

“Do it now,” Jonathan insisted.

Teresa had seen Jonathan’s stubborn side and his quick temper plenty of times. “Got it,” she stated firmly.

Jonathan left Teresa’s apartment, casting glances back as if he wanted to say something more. The moment the elevator swallowed him, Teresa shut the door, ending any chance of further conversation

After receiving a call to collect Jonathan, the driver arrived early and waited outside. When Jonathan got into the car, the driver couldn’t help but notice his unkempt state. “Mr. Lynn, you look like you’ve had a rough night,” he remarked.

Jonathan’s sharp retort cut through the air. “Are you serious? A good driver doesn’t take his boss to an ex’s,” he bit out

The driver shook his head, trying to clear things up. “Mr. Lynn, you were the one who insisted on seeing your wife. I just followed your orders.

Jonathan’s forehead creased as he racked his brain, trying to piece together the night. “Was I that out of it?” he wondered aloud.

The driver glanced at Jonathan with a hint of doubt mixed with concem. “Mr. Lynn, we might need to look into the car’s recorder. You were dead set on seeing your wife here last night

Fragmented memories of himself, unsteady and flushed, flashed through Jonathan’s mind. He fell silent, massaged his throbbing temples, leaned back, and closed his eyes, hoping for a moment of relief

With Jonathan out of the picture, Teresa quickly got Michael, who was still sound asleep, up and dressed. “Sweetheart, you’ll be staying at Miriam’s for a few days”

Michael, still groggy, blinked and asked, “Why do I have to?”

T

“Because… Because Mommy needs to go on a business trip, Teresa lied, her mind working overtime.

She was sure she had to move Michael fast, to keep him safe and out of sight,

After work, Teresa arrived at Rosary Estates to see a luxurious black Maybach outside. Her heart sank as she recognized the car. She was relieved she’d sent Michael to Miriam’s

with

Exiting her vehicle, Teresa saw Jonathan step out of the Maybach, adjusting his attire, and lock eyes with her.

“Changed the code?” he asked abruptly.

“No,” she answered.

“Why not?” he inquired, pressing further.

“I’m still picking a new one,” she admitted. She’d defaulted to six sixes for all he

for all her passwords because it was easy to remember, but now

she was at a loss.

With a frustrated sigh, Jonathan guided her to her apartment entrance. “I didn’t expect otherwise. You’re alone here and not taking basic safety seriously,” he chided.

Chapter 11

Teresa frowned slightly. “The security around here is tight.”

Jonathan’s voice rose. “But what if it’s someone you know?” His worry for her was clear.

She then tucked her phone away and headed into her office, only to be taken aback by the extravagant scene. Her office was flooded with flowers, her desk buried amidst a sea of bouquets.

Sherry, battling her pollen allergy with sniffles and sneezes, told Teresa, “Some unknown person just delivered 1,108 roses. Any clue why

Teresa shook her head, suspecting Jonathan’s dramatic payback.

Her coworkers gathered around, intrigued. “Teresa, who’s the secret admirer? You’ve got someone flooding you with roses,” one of them

asked.

Tm not seeing anyone, and I’m as clueless about the sender as you are.”

‘Teresa replied.

Teresa’s colleagues raised their eyebrows and chuckled over the over–the–top flower delivery. “Somebody’s trying to impress you big time, one joked.

“If a guy sent me all these flowers, I’d be rearly to walk down the aisle with him in a heartbeat” another chimed in.

2/3

Chapter 41

Feeling overwhelmed. Teresa started giving away the flowers–they were taking over her workspace. She then sent Jonathan a message. [You’re making quite a statement with the flowers. A bit much, don’t you think?]

Jonathan texted back quickly. [It’s my birthday. I thought you might’ve remembered.]

Teresa paused, then tested a reply. Jonathan, we’ve been divorced for a while now. Does it really matter if I forget your birthday?] There was a pause before Jonathan’s response finally came. Heading out on a date.]

That message was loud and clear to Teresa.

3/3