Accidentally Pregnant After Divorcing The Billionaire (Jonathan and Teresa) novel Chapter 4

4.Chapter 4 Intersections In The Workplace

Teresa was resolute about keeping Michael a secret from Jonathan. If he learned about their son, it would almost certainly lead to a bitter custody fight.

She took a steadying breath, her words measured. “Not necessary,” she stated with a hint of finality.

Jonathan’s grin twisted into something colder. “Got it. It’s been two years since we split, and now I’m not even worthy of your airspace.”

As Teresa tried to explain, her brow furrowed in frustration. “What are you getting at? I told Benny that because—”

“I’m not interested in the details,” Jonathan interjected, his tone slicing through her words.

With a dismissive wave, Teresa put an end to the conversation. “Mr. Lynn, I’m not here to justify myself. I wish you all the success in the world, and let’s just keep our distance, as per usual.”

The words “keep our distance” hit Jonathan like a punch to the gut, resonating painfully on his first night back in Nareigh following their divorce.

“Loud and clear,” Jonathan grated out, his voice tight with emotion. Then, without another glance back, he peeled out, his car leaving Teresa in a cloud of dust.

Teresa entered her silent home, the click of the light switch echoing as she discovered Michael wasn’t there. Oddly, relief flooded her.

Her phone buzzed, and Miriam’s voice came through the line. “Mike’s out like a light. You’re off the hook tonight; he’s crashing at my place.”

Teresa’s voice was edged with suspicion. “Miriam, did you set this up?”

Miriam sounded genuinely affronted. “What? No way! I wasn’t setting you up.”

“But Jonathan was at the party,” Teresa accused. “You told me he’d be a no-show, but there he was.”

Miriam hesitated, her voice wavering. “Benny said Jonathan might swing by. I didn’t think he’d actually make it…”

“Benny’s way out of bounds, trying to play matchmaker with me and Jonathan. I don’t get what he’s after,” Teresa grumbled.

Miriam’s forehead creased, her voice tinged with disbelief. “You two can’t work it out? Jonathan’s got the world by the tail now.”

Miriam paused, dropping her voice to a whisper. “And get this—Benny mentioned Jonathan’s been flying solo for two years. Sounds to me like he’s still got feelings for you.”

The revelation floored Teresa. She’d been sure Jonathan would have reconnected with Yvonne. The idea of remarriage brought back the stalemate of their past and the fatigue that dragged them down. Just the thought of being with him again rubbed her the wrong way.

After what felt like an age of silence, Teresa finally broke the quiet, her tone resolute yet composed. “We’re not rewriting history. We’ve taken different turns, and we’re not on the same page anymore.”

She continued, “Two years have passed, and that’s the way it’ll remain—we’re like passing ships in the dark, not destined to tie up again.”

Miriam let out a slow breath, her tone wrapping around Teresa in a hug of support. “All right, follow your heart. No matter what, I’m in your corner.” Those words sparked a flicker of warmth in Teresa’s chest.

Teresa left her son in Miriam’s capable hands, grateful for the friend’s more flexible calendar to cover the childcare while she tackled the demands of her media company gig.

Her role in operations offered some perks, but the pay? It was a tightrope walk to make ends meet.

Teresa was now realizing that even the most desirable jobs came with their own set of drawbacks. After two grueling years, Teresa was on the brink.

Managing her unpredictable boss and the constant struggle to make ends meet were wearing her down. Yet, she felt trapped. Quitting wasn’t an option; she needed every cent to provide for her son.

Her parents, embarking on new family chapters, had made it clear that financial support was a thing of the past.

Once, on a whim, Teresa had said “I do” to Jonathan after a single passionate night—a leap her parents never backed.

“Your voice is like music to the ears. You’re our secret weapon,” Wayne complimented.

A rough cough escaped Teresa. “Mr. Kotler, I’m fighting a cold. My voice is shot—croaky as can be. Can’t someone else take this one? I’m not even close to a hundred percent,” she argued.

“Just a quick call. And if you pull this off, there’s a nice raise waiting for you,” Wayne dangled the carrot, wrapping up the meeting. He then turned on his heel and left, leaving Teresa to weigh her options.

The office was alive with sideways glances at Teresa—a blend of envy for her melodic voice and striking looks, and sympathy for the high-stakes task that could cost her her job if she failed.

Teresa’s stomach was a mess of knots. It had been a silent two years since she last spoke to Jonathan, and she’d been dead set on it being over just last night.

Calling him felt like admitting defeat, and she wasn’t ready to face Jonathan or eat crow.

“Sherry, would you mind making this call for me? I’d be forever grateful,” Teresa asked, her voice tinged with hope. “Dinner’s on me.”

Sherry Roth offered a comforting pat on Teresa’s shoulder. “Don’t stress. The Horizonlead Group’s CEO is a phantom when it comes to interviews. You can’t even get past his secretary.”

Teresa’s brow lifted skeptically. “No way.”

Sherry shrugged. “Take my word for it, or give it a shot. His line is always quiet—the CEO is colder than an iceberg.”

Teresa’s finger hovered over the dial pad, her brow furrowed with uncertainty as she initiated the call to Horizonlead Group’s secretary’s office from her work phone.

The sound of a busy signal echoed through the phone. Teresa breathed a sigh of relief; the call hadn’t connected after all.

“Hello?” a familiar voice, one that sent a jolt down her spine, responded.