Chapter 34 He Can't?
Outside the door, Mary's hand, which was raised to knock again, paused slightly.
Frederick seemed to be in an especially foul mood today. It had been a long while since Mary had heard Frederick in such a rage. She remembered the last time he was this upset was when Emily passed away. Perhaps today was the anniversary of Emily's death, which might explain why he was so irritable.
Wisely choosing not to knock again, Mary turned and walked downstairs.
Upstairs, Amelia had completely lost interest, and it was clear that Frederick felt the same. With his face shrouded in gloom, Amelia softly asked, "Do we continue?"
Frederick turned cold and indifferent, abruptly throwing off the covers and getting out of bed, making it clear he had no intention of continuing. He strode straight into the bathroom. Amelia lay on the bed for a moment to collect herself, then also rose.
Downstairs, Mary had breakfast ready. Seeing Frederick come down the stairs in anger, she didn't even dare make a sound. She remained silent, as if invisible until they were about to leave the house. That's when Mary took Amelia's hand.
"Mrs. Hastings," Mary said, "I bought flowers for Mrs. Emily and prepared a dessert she enjoyed. Could you take them to the cemetery for me to honor her memory?"
Amelia nodded gently and agreed, "Okay."
Brittany and Madison had already arrived at the cemetery. Brittany had grown impatient with Frederick because of conflicts involving Amber.
"Amelia, bow to Emily first," Brittany instructed.
Nodding, Amelia took the flowers from Tom and bowed respectfully before Emily's gravestone. Tom carefully arranged the food that Amelia had brought in front of the headstone, murmuring, "Mrs. Emily, Mr. and Mrs. Hastings are here to see you."
Then Frederick stepped forward and bowed. Although Brittany held resentment towards Frederick, she said a few words at Emily's graveside, "Emily, you have to watch over Frederick and Amelia's marriage, keep them safe and sound."
"Bless them to have a child soon, so by next year when we visit, there'll be an extra child," she continued, throwing a disapproving glance at Frederick.
Amelia stood by his side, her head bowed in guilt. Madison mistakes Brittany's attitude as displeasure with Amelia. She recalled how Brittany had once been adamant about Frederick marrying Amelia.
Three years had passed, and Amelia still hadn't been able to conceive. Brittany's initial fondness for her likely had worn off completely.
Madison was never fond of Amelia and looked at her with a critical eye before saying, "Brittany, I know an amazing doctor who specializes in wellness and body conditioning. I'll introduce you sometime."
"My niece's daughter just had her second child this year.
"Ms. Davis and Frederick have been married for three years without children. How can this be?"
At the mention of this, Brittany immediately nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'll take Frederick to see the doctor someday."
Frederick remained expressionless.
Madison looked puzzled and said, "Brittany, Frederick's so busy with work, you should just take Ms. Davis to the doctor. That would be enough."
Brittany gave no reply.
After all, broaching the subject that Frederick might be impotent was an uncomfortable matter even for a grandmother like her.
Brittany coughed a few times, casting an irritated glance at Frederick.
Madison rambled on about wellness, occasionally criticizing Amelia in her speech.
Amelia listened silently the entire time, not engaging in the conversation.
The wind was strong at the cemetery, prompting Brittany to cough again. Tom suggested they descend the hill and leave him to guard the site.
Some of Emily's students might come by later.
Tom traditionally stayed until the afternoon, waiting until no more visitors came before he returned to the Hastings Manor.
Brittany nodded her head.
Amelia helped Brittany down the hill.
Madison became increasingly animated as she spoke, and seeing Amelia's silence, she turned to Amelia and said, "Ms. Davis, it's not that I have anything against you. But it's been years, and you haven't got pregnant. As a doctor, don't you think you should have checked and taken care of your health by now?
"Are you hiding anything from Rachel and Frederick?"
Amelia paused, suddenly feeling anxious inside.
"Ms. Blair, what could I possibly be hiding from my grandmother and Frederick?"
Madison scoffed and replied, "What else could it be? As a doctor, surely you know. I'm obviously referring to some issue with your health."
Amelia breathed a sigh of relief but appeared visibly uncomfortable.
Brittany immediately became angry.
"Enough! Your words are crossing the line. The issue has nothing to do with Amelia. It's Frederick who's having the problem!" Brittany blurted out her response.
Madison was taken aback, her face showing surprise.
Frederick was visibly irritated, his expression changing to annoyance. "Amelia knew I was good at it," he said, glancing at Amelia with a look that seemed to coerce her into speaking up on his behalf.
Amelia felt uneasy and remained silent. She knew that If Frederick doesn't go to conditioning, it's going to be her who's going to be forced to do so.
Batting her long eyelashes, a blush tinted Amelia's cheeks. "Grandma, Frederick is perfectly capable," she assured. "He's just been overwhelmed with work lately, and he’s quite worn out. I understand that. Once he gets through this busy period, a little rest will set him straight."
Brittany's face soured, and she fell silent. Amelia tried to offer a bright smile to ease the tension.
Frederick grew more impatient. Amelia's explanation did little to mitigate the situation.
Madison hadn't expected her words to touch a nerve with Brittany, and noticing the subtle shift in Brittany’s expression, she quickly tried to soothe her by saying, "Brittany, don't worry too much. Frederick is just tired, that’s all. The children will come when they will."
Listening to Madison's words, Amelia raised an eyebrow. Madison is often played by different rules depending on the person.
Amber, having recently undergone surgery, was helped out of the car by a few classmates at the cemetery.
At the foot of the hill, she and her group crossed paths with Amelia and others. Upon seeing Frederick, Amber's gaze lingered for a moment.
Brittany, who also noticed Amber being assisted, cast a brief, indifferent glance before looking away.
Amber, not daring to meet Brittany's gaze, took the initiative to greet her, her voice tense.
Brittany let out a slight hum of acknowledgment. "If you're ill, you really should be resting at home."
Amber was at a loss for words.
Her classmates, intimidated by Brittany's imposing presence, grew increasingly nervous.
Amelia, maintaining her composure, quickly interrupted their exchange. "Grandma, it's getting windy. Let me help you get to the car."
Brittany nodded, passing by Amber indifferently as Amelia helped her into the vehicle.
When Brittany saw Amber still engaging in conversation with Frederick, she frowned and called out sternly, "Frederick! Get in the car. I need to speak with you."
With an indifferent look, Frederick walked past Amber and got into the car, bending down as he did so.
Amelia closed the car door for them and got into another car.
Seeing the displeasure on Brittany's face, Madison decided to join Amelia in her vehicle.
The two cars vanished from view before Amber turned her gaze away. There was a slight tightening of her hand at her side, a hint of reluctance lingering in her heart.
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