3
No one had expected Julian to be so determined. The air in the living room thickened with tension. But Sera was not moved at all. Finally, Julian’s mother, Emily, gave in.“Alright, let’s eat.”
Dinner was quiet, punctuated only by the occasional pointed sighs of Emily.
Sera’s grip tightened around her silverware. She knew what was coming.
The next second, Emily put down her fork. “We don’t want to be annoying, but you need to give us a grandchild. Someone’s gotta carry on the family name!”
Julian slammed his own fork down.“I’ve told you, Sera hates pain, and I’ll never force her to have a baby. I’d rather remain childless!” His parents were furious.
Just as another argument was about to erupt, Sera spoke, her voice calm but chilling.“In two weeks, Mom, Dad, you’ll have a grandchild.” Everyone stared at her, stunned.
“Sera?” Julian held
her
She met his earnest gaze,
have children. hand.“We agreed
her lips. They would have a wry smile playing on She was leaving the country in two weeks, and given his obvious fondness for Chloe- and their frequent sex-
not to
You
don’t
this do have to
a grandchild, but
this would be perfectly natural.
for me.”
not
from her.
“The elders want a grandchild, we can’t say no to that,” she said sweetly.
An unsettling feeling crept into Julian’s heart. It was really weird.
His parents beamed.“That’s my girl!”
Julian still felt uneasy. Before he could ask why, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression changing.
Sera was close enough to see the message. It was from Chloe.
Julian, a guy just asked for my number. Should I give it to him?”
Sera counted. One, two, three…
On the third second, Julian stood up.“Excuse me, Sera, there is an emergency at my company. Take your time. I’ll pick you up later.” He didn’t wait for a response, rushing out without even grabbing his jacket.
The moment he was gone, Julian’s parents unleashed their pent–up frustration on Sera.
“How long have you two been married? Why aren’t you pregnant? Are you even trying?”
“You came from a normal family and your parents are dead. If it weren’t for Julian, you’d be nothing! We’re so unlucky to have you as our daughter–in–law.”
“Don’t cry! Don’t even think about telling this to Julian! Every wife gets scolded. He’s busy! Don’t bother him with this!” Sera endured five hours of relentless berating.
Finally, Julian returned
to
- up. pick her
As
they drove
home,
Sera
asked, “Did
you
finish
your
work?”
<
He paused, then said smoothly, “Yes.” As he spoke, his index finger tapped rhythmically against the steering wheel–a telltale sign of his good mood.
Noticing
her
silence,
he
added
belatedly, “My
Sera
was about to reply when she spotted
a
didn’t
you
a
hard time, give parents pair of ripped polka–dot stockings under the
She knew he had been with Chloe, but she didn’t expect them to… do it in the car.
did they?”
passenger seat.
She’d been conservative in bed. She’d worried that he would find it boring, so she’d asked if they should try something new with a red face. At that time, he held her, kissing her tenderly.“Sweetheart, I only want you. Even if you were wearing rags, I’d still be captivated. Don’t force yourself
to
do anything you
don’t
want
to
- do.
Someone
Yet the man who had said that was now screwing with another woman.
who
loves
you
will find
you
irresistible.”
Her eyes
welled up.“What do you think?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Julian assumed she was upset about her parents. He slammed on the brakes, pulling her into a hug.“I’m so sorry, Sera. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have left you there. I promise I’ll never let you go through this again.”
His embrace was suffocating. She pushed him away, tears streaming down her face.
“Just drive,” she said, her voice flat.
0 09:41
4.1%
< 3
There
was no
future them,
for
anyway.
