Chapter 23 It's Not His Problem, So What Is It?
Amelia stood still for a moment, watching Frederick's retreating figure with a feeling of desolation, and then she entered the bathroom. After freshening up, she emerged to find Julie standing at their bedroom door with a respectful and polite smile.
"Mrs. Hastings, I've come to clean your room," Julie said.
Amelia nodded her thanks. "I appreciate it."
With that, Julie eagerly replied with courtesy, "It's all part of my job."
Amelia quietly exited the bedroom without further comment. After taking a few steps, she paused and turned to look at Julie, speaking softly, "Let's get rid of the air fresheners in the house."
Julie looked puzzled upon hearing this. The air freshener had been specifically selected by Amelia, and it was the same one used at Spring Villa. Knowing that Amelia liked this fragrance, Brittany had arranged for it to be used at Hastings Manor as well.
"What scent should we use instead?" Julie asked.
Amelia hesitated, unable to think of another scent she found pleasant, so she simply said, "Lately, I'm not really into any air fresheners. Let's not set anything up in our room."
Her expression was natural as she spoke, betraying little emotion. Julie didn't press the issue further and nodded in agreement, then proceeded to change the bed sheets.
While doing so, Julie couldn't help but glance in the direction of the trash bin. It was empty, devoid of even a scrap of paper. Clearly, nothing had happened between Frederick and Amelia the night before. Amelia's nightgown was neatly folded on the couch.
Julie's expression was subtly complex. Amelia descended the stairs and saw Frederick seated on the couch, casually flipping through a magazine with his legs crossed. He glanced up at the sound of her steps but said nothing.
Brittany had gotten up early and was exercising in the yard. Once she heard from Tom that Amelia had come downstairs, she headed inside.
Amelia noticed Brittany's complexion looked much better than the day before and walked over to assist her. "Grandma, you look like you're in better spirits today than yesterday."
Brittany let out a soft cough, smiling as she replied, "Yes, feeling a bit better. But there's still this unease in my heart."
Her words hinted at her worry that they would leave Hastings Manor and not stay to live with her.
A flicker of resignation crossed Amelia's eyes as she gently admonished, "You still need to make sure you rest up."
The chef from the kitchen brought breakfast to the table and approached them. "Mrs. Brittany, Mrs. Hastings, breakfast is ready."
Brittany nodded, took Amelia's hand, and walked toward the dining area. Amelia glanced at Frederick. He had just set down his magazine and was getting up. As they caught each other's gaze, for once, Amelia didn't look away first—he did.
Amelia took a seat next to Brittany while Frederick sat across from them.
During breakfast, nobody spoke. They ate quietly.
Julie, who was cleaning the bedroom, came in at that moment, approached Brittany, and leaned in close to whisper something in her ear.
Brittany nodded at her, then gestured for Julie to leave.
With Julie gone, only the three of them remained in the dining room.
Amelia sipped her milk and caught a glimpse of Brittany, who gave Frederick a peculiar look across the table.
Feeling her stare, Frederick's expression remained unchanged as he set down his spoon.
"What do you want to talk about now?"
At the sound of his voice, Brittany scoffed. "One of these days, I'll have a doctor come over to check you out."
Everything had been set the previous night, and yet nothing happened between Frederick and Amelia. That seemed unbelievable to Brittany.
If it wasn't due to his incredible self-control, then it must be a problem with his health.
After all, Amelia and Frederick had been married for three years, and Amelia had not become pregnant once in that time.
Amelia had annual health checkups, so there was no question that she was in perfect health.
That left only one possibility: the issue must be with Frederick.
Confused, Frederick glanced at Amelia.
"Don't we have a doctor in the family?"
Amelia raised her eyebrows and put down her cup.
"Grandma, what's wrong with Frederick?"
Brittany shot Frederick a glare before turning a gentle face to Amelia.
"Amelia, did you like the pajamas I had prepared for you?"
Those pajamas were very sexy. Upon hearing this, Amelia blushed, understanding Brittany's insinuation, and felt embarrassed.
"Grandma, it's not Frederick's fault," Amelia said softly, hesitant to meet the eyes of the man across from her.
Frederick's demeanor grew stern as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze icy.
Brittany huffed.
"If it's not his problem, could it possibly be yours?"
"You've been married for three years and haven't conceived. It must be his issue."
Amelia felt a pang of guilt for no clear reason.
Frederick spoke indifferently, "I know best whether there's an issue or not. Grandma, you really should stop meddling."
"Those pajamas are a waste on her. Have someone replace them all this afternoon."
After speaking his piece, he stood up and left the dining room.
Amelia remained composed as she was accustomed to his attitude.
But Brittany's face darkened with anger at his departure.
"You jerk! You have no appreciation at all!"
Amelia softly consoled Brittany.
"Grandma, those pajamas really aren't my style," Amelia said.
"I..." Her grandmother didn't finish her sentence before being interrupted by Brittany.
"Don't listen to her, Amelia. Those clothes look amazing on you. You've got such a great figure. It would be a shame to hide it."
"I never had so many pajama styles to choose from when I was young, and now I wouldn't be able to wear them even if I wanted to," Grandma lamented, but she couldn't help chuckling at Brittany's remark.
Frederick stood in the living room, glancing at his watch, listening to the laughter and chatter between Amelia and Brittany in the dining room. He couldn't help feeling uncomfortable as he remembered how differently Amelia had treated him that morning.
"Tell her to hurry up," he said, his eyes shifting briefly to Julie.
Julie, hearing the order, swiftly informed Amelia in the dining room.
By the time she came out, Frederick was no longer in the living room. The sound of a car engine came from the yard. After saying goodbye to Brittany, Amelia stepped out the front door and saw Frederick sitting in the driver's seat, one hand on the steering wheel, obviously on a phone call.
Seeing Amelia come out, he raised his hand, signaling her to hurry up, looking somewhat impatient.
Amelia quickened her pace, opened the rear car door, and bent down to get in. Frederick frowned slightly, catching a glimpse of Amelia in the rearview mirror as she settled in, his expression turning colder before he started the car and drove away.
He thought to himself, "She won't even sit in the passenger seat. She really does see me as nothing more than a driver!"
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