Chapter 11 How Much?
Susanna was completely caught off guard by Maud's unexpected question. How on earth was she supposed to respond to that? She couldn't just come clean and admit that after three years of marriage, she and Aaron still slept in separate rooms, could she?
Aaron had never made a move, and she lacked the courage to initiate anything. So, after three years of marriage, their relationship was as chaste as can be.
Except for that one intoxicated night a month ago when they had a moment of intimacy. In the dim light, she felt exceedingly nervous and inexperienced, unable to see clearly. How was she supposed to answer it?
"Susanna, say something!" Maud snapped.
Susanna glanced awkwardly at Aaron, feeling deeply wronged.
Aaron cleared his throat. "Mom, why are you asking this? We take precautions. It's normal not to be pregnant. I don't want kids right now anyway."
Hearing his words, Susanna looked down at her belly, still silent.
Maria said urgently, "You're thirty already and still not thinking about kids? I fear I might not live long enough to witness that day!"
"Grandma, if you agree to the surgery, you'll definitely see the baby born!" Aaron said.
"Unless Susanna gets pregnant, I won't have the surgery!" Maria declared and left without waiting for a response.
Taylor Lopez quickly followed, whispering, "Mrs. Maria Abbott, please don't be upset. Mrs. Abbott and Mr. Abbott have such a good relationship. Having a child is just a matter of time."
As Maria ascended the stairs, Maud shot Susanna a disdainful look. "Well, isn't this just perfect? Once Ms. Jones gets married to Aaron, they'll have their own child. She's the heir of the illustrious Jones family after all, not here to play the role of a stepmother!" With that final jab, Maud made her exit from the dining room, signaling an abrupt end to the gathering before it had truly begun.
Susanna felt a jolt of sarcasm ripple through her. In the eyes of the Abbott family, it seemed that only someone as distinguished as Erica was deemed worthy of bearing Aaron's offspring. She, on the other hand, never quite fit that bill.
As Susanna began tidying up the table, she heard Elaine's voice creep up behind her. "Did you honestly believe you could sneak in and snag that footage?"
Turning to face Elaine, Susanna was met with a smirk of smug satisfaction. Elaine continued, her tone dripping with mockery, "I've already wiped the footage clean and shut down the cameras. There's no evidence left to expose what just transpired."
"Is that so? That makes things easier." Susanna raised her arm and slapped Elaine. Then she grabbed a utensil and hit her twice more in the same spot. Elaine couldn't bear the violence and tried to run, crying and screaming.
The two of them played out a chase in the dining room. Susanna pursued while Elaine tried to escape, but every time Elaine neared the door, Susanna would pull her back, each time with more force.
After about ten minutes, Susanna finally felt tired. She put down the utensil, fixed her hair and clothes, and said lightly, "There's no surveillance here. No one will believe what you say."
Elaine, disheveled and bruised, screamed, "Aunt Maud and Aaron will speak for me!"
"But this is the Abbott Mansion. Mrs. Maria Abbott runs everything. Do you think she'll believe you or me? I'm warning you, don't mess with me again, or next time won't be this easy." With that, Susanna left the dining room without looking back.
Elaine sat on the floor, disheveled and seething with rage. "I won't let this go!"
In the corner, Aaron had witnessed the entire scene. He raised an eyebrow, surprised that Susanna could still fight so well despite being hurt.
His assistant approached at the right moment. "Mr. Abbott, the surveillance footage has been restored. It clearly shows Ms. Jones falsely accusing Mrs. Abbott. Do you need any help in case Ms. Jones pursues this?"
"Forget it. If Erica has any sense, she won't push it further," Aaron replied, walking away.
Susanna returned to the hall to grab her things and leave, but Aaron blocked her path.
"Where are you going?"
"Home," Susanna replied coldly.
"Home? Or to a hotel to meet another man?" Aaron sneered.
Susanna took a deep breath and smiled. "Mr. Abbott, are you jealous? I suggest you listen to your mom and get a check-up at the hospital tomorrow."
"I need a check-up?" Aaron glared at her.
"What else? Is it my fault we can't have kids?" Susanna retorted.
Aaron's eyes narrowed. "But I remember we had a good time that night, didn't we?"
Susanna's breath hitched, but she fired back, "Your performance was so lackluster. I suggest you get a medical check-up."
Locking eyes with Aaron as his expression darkened, she savored a twisted sense of triumph. To her, contentment stemmed from Aaron's discomfort. Yet, her victorious moment was abruptly cut short as Aaron swiftly hoisted her over his shoulder.
Susanna panicked, grabbing his arm. "Aaron, put me down!"
"Susanna, you must take the responsibility!" Aaron's anger surged, feeling like she was on the brink of pushing him over the edge. Just yesterday, she had been spotted at a hotel with another man, and now she had the audacity to make fun of his virility. If he stood for this, he wouldn't be much of a man at all!
A month ago, he had a little too much to drink for the first time. Being inexperienced was nothing out of the ordinary, but that didn't automatically imply he had a problem!
Worried about the baby, Susanna struggled to get down, but Aaron slapped her thigh. "Don't move!"
Susanna had never been treated like this, feeling both ashamed and furious. "Aaron, you jerk! What are you doing?"
Aaron carried her into the master bedroom and tossed her onto the bed, glaring down at her. "What do you think? Let's give you another experience!"
"No!"
"You don't get to refuse!" Aaron yanked off his tie and pulled his shirt out of his pants, his eyes dark. "Tell me, what position should we try?"
Susanna felt deeply insulted. "Aaron, are you crazy?"
"I'm not crazy!" He grabbed Susanna's chin. "Susanna, I see you've changed. Pretending to be gentle and virtuous must have been exhausting, huh?"
"Yeah, working for money, I had to put on a good show," Susanna said calmly.
Her indifferent tone pierced Aaron's heart, causing him to grit his teeth in frustration. "So, why stop pretending now?"
"Because I have quit my job!"
"How much would it cost to keep you working for me?" Aaron asked.
Susanna froze. "What do you mean?"
"Whether you're with another man at a hotel or with me at home, it's the same. I'll pay more than he does. You'll profit without losing anything!" Aaron's words insinuated Susanna was akin to a commodity, leaving a bitter taste in the air.
Susanna was furious. "Aaron, what do you take me for? No matter how much you pay, I won't be intimate with you!"
She pushed Aaron away, but he grabbed her wrist. "Isn't it all for money? What's the difference?"
"Because you're terrible at it!"
Aaron was livid and blurted out, "It's normal to be bad the first time!"
The room fell eerily silent.
Susanna blinked, thinking she misheard. 'First time?'
