Chapter 416 Turmoil at Home
Juliet's been pretty chill lately. She didn't have to stress about Mike's stuff, and James was busy hyping up some new talent, so he was treating her pretty well these days.
She shot a couple of commercials and snagged a role in a show, living the good life.
"Mom, this is way too salty. I can't eat this," Juliet complained, wrinkling her nose after taking a bite.
Madeline looked surprised and took a taste. "It's not salty. Maybe your taste buds are off because of the pregnancy?"
Juliet sighed. "Never mind, it's okay."
"No way," Madeline said, stopping her. "I'll whip up a couple more dishes. Just hang tight, it won't take long. I'll go easy on the salt this time."
"Alright, thanks, Mom." Juliet watched her head into the kitchen, curling her lips in disdain.
A little kindness wasn't going to sway her. Honestly, the Gilbert family only cared about the baby she was carrying.
Back when she first got with Wilber, Micah and Madeline couldn't stand her. They'd always badmouth her to Wilber, telling him to dump her, saying she was the reason he and Luann broke up.
Madeline spent another half hour using whatever was left in the fridge to make eggplant puree. But Juliet still looked unimpressed.
Madeline asked, concerned, "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
Juliet replied, "Mom, I really don't like eggplant. Why'd you make this?"
Madeline looked flustered. "I didn't know. We buy fresh stuff daily, so there's not much left in the fridge. Can you just make do with this meal? I'll get more stuff tomorrow morning. Just tell me what you want."
Juliet looked annoyed. "But I don't want to eat this. How can I just make do?"
Madeline awkwardly asked, "Then what should I do? Should I go buy some ingredients now?"
"Alright," Juliet sighed.
Madeline quickly went upstairs to change, grabbed her keys, and headed out. She rushed to buy all kinds of ingredients. When she got back, her hands were red from carrying the bags. But as she opened the door, she smelled something delicious.
"Juliet, you're already eating?" Her forehead was sweaty from rushing.
In front of Juliet were fried chicken and burgers. She nodded and pointed to the clock on the wall. "It's already eight. I was starving, so I started eating. You don't mind, do you?"
Madeline opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Just then, there was a noise from the entrance. "Mom, I'm back. Is Dad home yet?"
"Not yet. He's got something at the company, so he probably won't be back tonight." Madeline put the groceries in the kitchen.
As she walked out, she heard Wilber's shocked voice. "Juliet, why are you eating this junk food? Mom, didn't you make dinner for Juliet?"
Madeline was about to speak when Juliet tugged at his sleeve. "Forget it, it's my fault for being picky. It's not Mom's fault."
Wilber wasn't happy about it. "Mom, Juliet's pregnant and needs proper care. You said you'd help take care of her. Is this how you do it?"
Madeline smiled awkwardly. "Juliet and I haven't spent much time together, so I'm still learning what she likes to eat. Juliet, if you want something specific, just let me know ahead of time, and I'll make it for you. And if there's something you don't like, tell me that too."
Juliet smiled sweetly, looking all innocent. "Okay."
Later that night, just as they were about to sleep, Juliet coughed a couple of times. Wilber immediately came over. "What's wrong? Why are you coughing?"
"Mom said it was a bit hot today, so she turned on the air conditioning for a while. I think I caught a cold," Juliet said, coughing again.
Wilber frowned. "The weather has cooled down. Why turn on the air conditioning? I'll go ask her what she was thinking."
Juliet grabbed his hand, her eyes pleading. "Don't, Wilber. You know your mom never liked me. Now that she's finally willing to accept and take care of me because of the baby, I'm really grateful. If we argue over something small and disrupt the peace, it wouldn't be worth it."
Wilber sighed and gently stroked her hair. "Juliet, you're always so understanding. Don't worry, I'll make sure to mediate between you and Mom. I won't let you suffer."
Juliet snuggled into his arms, acting all affectionate. "Wilber, you're the best."
The next morning, as soon as Juliet got up, she saw Madeline busy in the kitchen.
Madeline smiled warmly. "Up early, Juliet."
Juliet fixed her hair and glanced at the soup on the stove. "Mom, what are you making?"
"Chicken soup, very nutritious. Have a little to fill your stomach, and I'll make something else for lunch," Madeline said.
Juliet nodded. "But I'm used to having a glass of juice in the morning."
"Juice? Sure, I'll make some for you. Any fruits you don't like?" Madeline asked, pulling out some oranges from the fridge.
Juliet's eyes darkened.
"No." She sat at the dining table, resting her chin on her hand.
Suddenly, she called a servant, "Go upstairs and call Wilber down."
The servant replied, "Okay."
When Wilber came down after washing up, he saw Madeline handing a glass of orange juice to Juliet. He quickly stepped forward and slapped the juice out of her hand. The glass shattered, spilling juice everywhere.
"Mom, Juliet is allergic to oranges. Are you trying to kill her by giving her orange juice?" Wilber snapped.
Madeline stood there, stunned. "Allergic? I didn't know. Juliet, you never told me."
Juliet looked even more innocent. "I did, Mom. I wrote down all the things I like, dislike, and can't have on a list for you."
Madeline frowned. "You're lying. When did you..."
Juliet interrupted her, "In your coat pocket."
Madeline reached into her pocket and found a neatly folded list.
