Chapter 457 A Difficult Task
Seb grabbed Susan's hand and said with a bit of a wheedling tone, "Susan, we're tying the knot next month, and my folks are here now. How about you take a break from work starting tomorrow, take some wedding leave, and get things ready for our big day at home? Plus, you can look after the kids and my parents."
Hearing this ,Susan stared at Seb, totally floored.
She couldn't believe he was so whipped by Carol that he'd actually ask her to quit her job.
"Why are you giving me that look?" Seb squirmed under Susan's gaze.
"Seb, I thought you had your own mind. I didn't think a few words from your mom would make you cave like this! My firm just got rolling. If I bail now, what's gonna happen to it?" Susan shot back, frowning.
Seb's face got all serious. He started pacing the room before finally turning to Susan with a pleading look, "Susan, Isabella can handle the firm for a bit. It won't fall apart if you're gone for a month or two. But if you don't get along with my mom, it's gonna mess up our family vibe. I know it's unfair to ask you to stop working, but it's just for now. Once we're hitched, my folks will head back to the central district. Then you can dive back into your career, and I won't get in the way. Please, just make this small sacrifice for our happiness, okay?"
Seeing the desperate look in Seb's eyes, Susan realized maybe she was being a bit selfish. Seb had already given up a lot for her, and her sacrifice wasn't that huge. What really bugged her was Carol's attitude.
Susan's tone softened. "I was a bit harsh earlier. It's not a big deal if I take a break from work. I'm just worried that if I stay home too long, with how your mom treats me, we might clash, and things will get even messier!"
Seb squeezed Susan's hand and said, "I'll talk to my mom tomorrow and ask her to be nicer to you. But she's got a sharp tongue, even if she means well. Just try not to butt heads with her. Wait till I get home, and I'll have your back."
Hearing this, Susan snuggled into Seb's arms.
Usually, his embrace felt warm and safe, but this time she felt pretty helpless. After all, Carol was his mom. Would Seb really stand up to her for Susan?
That night, Seb was super gentle, and their lovemaking was quick. He didn't want to tire her out too much for the next day.
Susan quickly fell asleep, knowing tomorrow was gonna be tough.
The next morning, Susan got up early. Todd and Carol were already up since they were older. If she stayed in bed, it would just give Carol more ammo against her.
When she went downstairs, Kathy had already whipped up breakfast.
Todd and Carol were already eating. Susan greeted them and then held Spring to feed her.
When Seb finished eating, he smiled at Carol and said, "Mom, I'm off to work."
"Go ahead," Carol nodded.
Seb glanced at Susan across the table and smiled. "Mom, Susan might be a bit scatterbrained, but she's trying her best. Please cut her some slack!"
Carol looked up at Susan, took a sip of her porridge, and said, "Honestly, I don't want her working because I need to teach her how to be a proper daughter-in-law and wife. No other reason. The whole Anderson family will be her responsibility one day. She needs to know her stuff."
"I get it, Mom. You mean well," Seb quickly chimed in.
Carol then turned to Seb and said, "A man should focus on his career. Leave the household stuff to us. Your job is to take care of the company."
"Alright, I'm off," Seb said, standing up. He patted Hayden's head, gave Susan a meaningful look, and headed out.
After breakfast, Mary took Spring for a walk, and Susan took Hayden to preschool.
When Susan got back, she saw Carol chilling in the living room, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper.
"Mom, I'm heading upstairs," Susan said, turning to go up.
Even if she couldn't go to work, she could still check in with Isabella online and handle any issues from home.
"Hold up," Carol called out.
Susan stopped, thought for a second, then walked over to Carol, forcing a smile. "Mom, need something?"
Susan had decided to let Carol's harsh words slide. Carol was all talk, no action. She just needed to tough it out for twenty days or so until Carol went back to the central district. Then, peace.
Carol didn't even look up, still engrossed in her newspaper. "When's the last time you washed the curtains?"
Susan glanced at the heavy drapes. "About two months ago, I think."
Carol put down the newspaper, looked at Susan, and said, "With kids around, curtains get dirty fast. They should be washed at least once a month!"
Susan nodded. "I'll take them down and send them to the dry cleaners right away."
As she moved towards the curtains, Carol frowned. "Dry cleaners' machines are filthy. They need to be hand-washed!"
Susan frowned. "Mom, these curtains are so heavy. How am I supposed to wash them by hand?"
"You can soak them in the bathtub, add some detergent, and stomp on them to clean them. It's way cleaner than those machines. And remember, all the curtains upstairs and downstairs need to be washed today!" Carol said.
Susan was stunned!
With so many rooms, how long would it take to wash all the curtains? Looking at the floor-length drapes, Susan felt overwhelmed!
Just then, Kathy rushed over and said, "Ma'am, it's okay. I have experience washing curtains. I'll help you!"
Susan looked at Kathy with grateful eyes, thinking, 'With Kathy's help, this should be manageable.'
But Carol cut in sternly, "Kathy, you have your own tasks. Here's a list. Go out and buy these things for me, and don't forget the groceries!"
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