Chapter 11 Planning for a Baby
Samantha frowned but didn’t deny it. “Shares are certainly important, but I also want your son to have an outstanding mother. How can the mother of your child be a poor woman?”
Samantha snorted unwillingly and continued, “Now, Rhett’s wife is pregnant, so they're feeling smug and think they hold the power! As a bastard, what right does Rhett have to compete with you for the inheritance?
“Your dad hasn’t seen your marriage license yet, so it would be best if you divorced before the New Year. If you don’t like Madison, you can marry some other wealthy woman, just not Lillian!”
“Mom, don’t worry. I only want Lillian!” Alexander stated firmly.
Samantha became even angrier and yelled, “Do you really want that woman to have your children?”
Alexander finished his meal amidst Samantha’s lectures and replied impatiently, “Lillian and I will plan for pregnancy, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Did you call me? What are we planning?” Lillian suddenly returned and stood at the door looking puzzled.
“How did you come back? Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?” Samantha shouted sternly, “You’re so rude!”
Lillian quickly waved her hands and said, “No! Don’t get angry, mom. I just came back for my phone.” As she spoke, she carefully walked to the dining table. After grabbing her phone, she quickly left the room.
Samantha, holding her forehead, said, “Don't let her call me mom. I don’t like her!”
Escaping from the dining room, Lillian clutched her chest in a corner and thought, 'Ms. Samantha is so scary when she's angry! What were they talking about? Pregnancy? Did I hear that wrong?'
After finishing the meal with Samantha, Alexander sat with her in the living room, sipping coffee and chatting. Much later, Samantha was ready to leave.
“Alexander, you must divorce Lillian tomorrow! Don’t upset your dad over this!” Samantha reminded him sternly.
With his hands in his pockets, Alexander winked at Kelly and firmly said, “Dad won’t be mad. Lillian is well-behaved, so Dad will like her.”
Samantha eyed Alexander skeptically. She knew Quinn well, and she was also aware that he had hopes of Alexander marrying a wealthy woman. Lillian was poor, so it was unlikely Quinn would take a liking to her.
Kelly called Lillian out. As she walked into the living room, Lillian saw Samantha and Alexander talking, so she clenched her fists and mustered the courage to approach them. After forcing herself to smile, Lillian gently asked, "Mom, are you leaving?"
Ignoring Lillian, Samantha angrily slung her purse over her shoulder and headed for the door, saying, "Don't call me mom and I do not approve of you marrying Alexander!"
Following Samantha with small steps, Lillian bowed her head, stuck out her tongue, and thought, 'I don't like you either!'
Outside, the wind howled and snow mixed with sleet. After seeing Samantha off, Lillian gazed at the mounds of snow in the yard and decided to build a snowman once the snow stopped the next day.
Alexander had already returned inside. Following him, Lillian watched his retreating figure as he ascended the stairs and felt that an even more daunting task awaited her.
After washing some fruit in the kitchen, Lillian carried it to the study. She knocked softly on the door twice, and hearing Alexander's deep voice saying, "Come in," she entered.
"Mr. Sinclair, here's some fruit," Lillian said tentatively as she carefully placed the fruit on the desk and stood there nervously.
Alexander, who had been reading, replied indifferently without looking up, "Take it away. I don't eat fruit."
Scratching her head, Lillian gathered her courage and after a moment's thought said, "Mr. Sinclair, fruits are good for replenishing vitamins."
She thought to herself, 'Even if he dislikes me, I have to speak my mind! After all, I can't keep trying to please them!'
Alexander kept his eyes on his book and coldly retorted, "Hurry up! Don't waste time flattering me."
With her hands behind her back, Lillian began, "Well, there is something I wanted to tell you..."
Alexander showed no interest in what she had to say and silently turned a page of his book.
After a short pause and seeing that Alexander didn't prompt her, Lillian could only say awkwardly, "Today, Aunt Lisa called me. She wants us to go back in three days because ..." Her voice trailed off until it was nearly inaudible.
Alexander looked up and scoffed, "Lillian, are we truly husband and wife? Shouldn't you recognize your place? Do you think it's appropriate to discuss such matters with me?"
Lillian looked down and nervously fiddled with her fingers.
She said, "I also think it's not a good fit. But when my aunt called me today, I just couldn't say no, so that's why I wanted to get your opinion. Actually, I had already guessed what your answer would be and I'm aware of my own status."
Alexander bent his head once more, continuing to read his book with cold indifference. "In that case, don't talk to me about this sort of thing ever again! Take your fruit and get out. Don't show up in front of me again! Don't annoy me!"
Lillian sighed internally, 'I knew this would be the outcome, yet I still humiliated myself by asking. I'll just give up. After all, I can explain to Aunt Lisa that it was Alexander who didn't accompany me back, not that I didn't want to go.'
Turning with the fruit in hand, Lillian had only taken two steps before she turned back, hesitating before asking, "Mr. Sinclair, one more thing. That talk you had with Samantha about us wanting kids—that’s not true, right?"
"Get out!"
Lillian shivered with fright and, hunching her shoulders, quickly left the study. Alexander's reaction confirmed it wasn't true.
Back in her room, after washing up, Lillian crawled into the warm, soft covers of her bed. She finally relaxed. Alexander and Samantha had been so intimidating that she felt exhausted after spending the evening with them.
Her cellphone rang. Seeing the familiar avatar along with a barrage of text, Lillian felt irritated and turned off her phone. Tonight, she just wanted to be alone in peace.
