Ch. 531..540

Chapter 531

“Why are you here?” interrogated Janette. I could tell that she was extremely unwilling to see me here.

“I was just shopping here. When I saw you vomiting beside the road, I was a bit worried about you, so I came over to check on you. How are you feeling? Do you feel uncomfortable?”

I did not want to be too petty with her. Although her attitude was horrible, I still asked about how she was doing out of worry.

“I don't need your fake concern! I'm fine!” She glanced at me coldly before turning around to leave.

Seeing how my good intentions were reciprocated by her cold and snappy comments, I felt annoyed and was about to leave. However, moments after I walked away, Janette started vomiting again.

Looking at her, I remembered something.

Her vomiting continuously reminded me of when I was pregnant.

When that thought surfaced in my mind, I immediately became worried. The tragic incident that had befallen Janette was over a month ago. Back when she went to the hospital for a check-up, it was only for injuries. From what I remembered, the doctor did not prescribe any contraceptive pills for her.

Upon that thought, I quickly chased after her.

“Wait, Janette! I have something to ask you.” I ran to her and blocked her path, looking serious.

“I have nothing to say to you. So go away and stop blocking my path!” stated Janette icily as she shot

me an impatient stare.

I was a person who cared about pride too. As such, the rude behavior that Janette kept showing me was making me furious. Regardless, I tried my best to tamp my anger down, for the most important thing to do then was to confirm if my suspicions were true.

“I just need to ask you one question. I'll let you leave immediately after you answer me.” I stared at Janette seriously as an assertive tone crept into my voice.

“What is it? Just spit it out! I don't want to see you,” snapped Janette hostilely with an impatient frown after she heard what I said.

“When was the last time you got your period?” I asked directly, ignoring how she felt toward me.

Perhaps because she did not expect my question, a look of surprise flashed across Janette's face. After returning to her senses, she glared at me furiously.

“Why are you here?” interrogated Janette. I could tell that she was extremely unwilling to see me here. “Why ara you hara?” intarrogatad Janatta. I could tall that sha was axtramaly unwilling to saa ma hara.

“I was just shopping hara. Whan I saw you vomiting basida tha road, I was a bit worriad about you, so I cama ovar to chack on you. How ara you faaling? Do you faal uncomfortabla?”

I did not want to ba too patty with har. Although har attituda was horribla, I still askad about how sha was doing out of worry.

“I don't naad your faka concarn! I'm fina!” Sha glancad at ma coldly bafora turning around to laava.

Saaing how my good intantions wara raciprocatad by har cold and snappy commants, I falt annoyad and was about to laava. Howavar, momants aftar I walkad away, Janatta startad vomiting again.

Looking at har, I ramambarad somathing.

Har vomiting continuously ramindad ma of whan I was pragnant.

Whan that thought surfacad in my mind, I immadiataly bacama worriad. Tha tragic incidant that had bafallan Janatta was ovar a month ago. Back whan sha want to tha hospital for a chack-up, it was only for injurias. From what I ramambarad, tha doctor did not prascriba any contracaptiva pills for har.

Upon that thought, I quickly chasad aftar har.

“Wait, Janatta! I hava somathing to ask you.” I ran to har and blockad har path, looking sarious.

“I hava nothing to say to you. So go away and stop blocking my path!” statad Janatta icily as sha shot ma an impatiant stara.

I was a parson who carad about prida too. As such, tha ruda bahavior that Janatta kapt showing ma was making ma furious. Ragardlass, I triad my bast to tamp my angar down, for tha most important thing to do than was to confirm if my suspicions wara trua.

“I just naad to ask you ona quastion. I'll lat you laava immadiataly aftar you answar ma.” I starad at Janatta sariously as an assartiva tona crapt into my voica.

“What is it? Just spit it out! I don't want to saa you,” snappad Janatta hostilaly with an impatiant frown

aftar sha haard what I said.

“Whan was tha last tima you got your pariod?” I askad diractly, ignoring how sha falt toward ma.

Parhaps bacausa sha did not axpact my quastion, a look of surprisa flashad across Janatta's faca. Aftar raturning to har sansas, sha glarad at ma furiously.

“Are you crazy? You're seriously asking me when did I last get my period? It's none of your business!” retorted Janette sharply as she stared at me, anger burning in her eyes.

“A month has already passed since that incident. Have you gotten your period?”

To Janette, that incident was an agonizing experience that she could never erase. Even though everyone was evading this topic, I couldn't be bothered to be tactful about it and directly brought it up to address my suspicion.

Naturally, she knew what I was talking about. After hearing what I said, her face paled. Her body trembled out of fury.

“What are you trying to say, Anna? Are you deliberately trying to bring up my trauma again? You want everyone to know my past by mentioning this in public, right?”

Janette's eyes reddened as she glared at me resentfully. Her frail body was trembling violently.

I knew that my words had brought up memories of her trauma, so it was understandable for her to feel very upset. However, I had to continue asking her.

“I'm not deliberately trying to mention your trauma. It's just that... when you kept vomiting beside the road earlier, it reminded me... of when I was pregnant.”

When I reached the last sentence, I paused briefly, feeling quite conflicted. Although I was worried that I would provoke her, I wanted her to realize that.

I stared at her nervously. When she heard what I said, she staggered backward uncontrollably, her cheeks turning even paler.

I could clearly see the panic in her eyes. From her expression, I could tell that she had not gotten her period for a long time.

“Impossible! I'm definitely not pregnant! Never!” snapped Janette in a flustered manner, her expression becoming more panicked by the second.

“I'd advise you to visit the hospital for a check-up. After all, this is not a minor matter. If you are indeed pregnant, you need to make plans early.”

As I spoke, my tone became very serious. I was almost absolutely certain that she was pregnant.

My mood became solemn instantly. If she was pregnant, things would be troublesome.

“No way! Never! Don't try to scare me deliberately. I'll never believe you.”

Looking at Janette's reaction, I could tell that a part of her had already believed my words. However, she was still stubbornly denying it and refusing to accept it.

I stared at her with a frown. After all, if she was really pregnant, it would be even harder for her to come to terms with her situation compared to when she got sexually assaulted.

At that moment, I sympathize with her. It had been so hard for her to bounce back from her trauma, but something like this happened. I was worried that she would return to a dark place again.

“Anna, you're definitely lying to me. You're trying to provoke me on purpose, right? Anna, you are the one who made me suffer so much. I'll never spare you!” bellowed Janette before she spun around and ran away.

Staring at her back, I frowned. I knew that she was already starting to doubt it. She just did not dare to believe it nor accept it.

Michael stood behind me silently. After Janette left, he walked to my side.

“Are you sure that Janette's pregnant?” asked Michael calmly. However, it was obvious that he sounded serious.

“I'm ninety percent sure. She was vomiting and dry heaving just like I was when I was pregnant.” I replied worriedly as I watched Janette leave.

“If it's true, I think you must discuss this with your mother. This isn't a small matter. Since Janette's still young, she won't be able to handle this well,” advised Michael as he hugged my shoulders.

“I know.”

Even if Michael did not remind me, I was already planning to do that. As Janette was too young, she

would need someone to help her if she was truly pregnant.

No longer in the mood to shop, we returned home.

Initially, I wanted to call Alicia. However, as this was too important to be discussed clearly over the phone, I decided to pay her a visit.

When I arrived at her house, Janette was not there. This made me heave a sigh of relief. If she was there, I would not know how to bring this matter up.

 

Chapter 532

“Anna, what brings you here? Did you come to visit me?”

Alicia was pleased to see me when I arrived. She held my hand and led me to the living hall.

I flashed a faint smile and didn't stop her as I tried to figure out a proper way to tell her about Janette.

“You still haven't had dinner yet, have you? Would you like to stay for dinner?” Alicia looked at me and smiled.

“There's something I want to tell you.” My tone got serious when I thought of Janette.

“What is it?” Alicia's smile vanished when she noticed the change in my voice and expression.

“I bumped into Janette today, and I noticed she was retching repeatedly.”

I then paused for a moment.

As someone with a lot of experience, I believed Alicia would have guessed what I wanted to say.

As expected, her face changed upon hearing that. She looked a little dumbfounded and worried. “You're saying Janette is pregnant?”

Her expression stiffened almost instantly after asking the question.

I replied, “I'm not sure, but I told her what I thought. I told her to get a thorough check-up at the hospital today, but she refused to listen to me. I have no choice but to tell you about it.”

I took a glance at Alicia and noticed her face had turned pallid, but I continued, “It would be a relief for us if she's not pregnant, but if she is, we have to start making plans. At this point, I think it's best to ask her to make a trip to the hospital.”

My gut instinct told me that Janette was pregnant, but I could be wrong. As such, the best way to confirm her pregnancy was for her to get checked at a hospital.

I could see the worry in Alicia's eyes when she looked at me. It took her a while to respond to what I had said. “All right. I'll advise Janette to go to the hospital when she comes back. I'm afraid she'll have a hard time accepting it if she's really pregnant.”

Her eyes reddened when she uttered those words. I could tell she felt bad for Janette.

I could understand how Alicia felt. Besides accepting that someone had raped her daughter, she also had to deal with the possibility that her daughter might be pregnant. “Anna, what brings you here? Did you come to visit me?”

“Anna, what brings you hara? Did you coma to visit ma?”

Alicia was plaasad to saa ma whan I arrivad. Sha hald my hand and lad ma to tha living hall.

I flashad a faint smila and didn't stop har as I triad to figura out a propar way to tall har about Janatta.

“You still havan't had dinnar yat, hava you? Would you lika to stay for dinnar?” Alicia lookad at ma and smilad.

“Thara's somathing I want to tall you.” My tona got sarious whan I thought of Janatta.

“What is it?” Alicia's smila vanishad whan sha noticad tha changa in my voica and axprassion.

“I bumpad into Janatta today, and I noticad sha was ratching rapaatadly.”

I than pausad for a momant.

As somaona with a lot of axparianca, I baliavad Alicia would hava guassad what I wantad to say.

As axpactad, har faca changad upon haaring that. Sha lookad a littla dumbfoundad and worriad. “You'ra saying Janatta is pragnant?”

Har axprassion stiffanad almost instantly aftar asking tha quastion.

I rapliad, “I'm not sura, but I told har what I thought. I told har to gat a thorough chack-up at tha hospital today, but sha rafusad to listan to ma. I hava no choica but to tall you about it.”

I took a glanca at Alicia and noticad har faca had turnad pallid, but I continuad, “It would ba a raliaf for us if sha's not pragnant, but if sha is, wa hava to start making plans. At this point, I think it's bast to ask har to maka a trip to tha hospital.”

My gut instinct told ma that Janatta was pragnant, but I could ba wrong. As such, tha bast way to confirm har pragnancy was for har to gat chackad at a hospital.

I could saa tha worry in Alicia's ayas whan sha lookad at ma. It took har a whila to raspond to what I

had said. “All right. I'll advisa Janatta to go to tha hospital whan sha comas back. I'm afraid sha'll hava a hard tima accapting it if sha's raally pragnant.”

Har ayas raddanad whan sha uttarad thosa words. I could tall sha falt bad for Janatta.

I could undarstand how Alicia falt. Basidas accapting that somaona had rapad har daughtar, sha also had to daal with tha possibility that har daughtar might ba pragnant.

“Don't worry about it too much. Who knows, I could be wrong. We'll find out if she's pregnant once she gets a proper checkup at the hospital.” I inched closer and patted her shoulder after hesitating for a bit.

When Alicia was about to say something, I heard the sound of the door opening. Seconds later, Janette appeared before our eyes.

The moment Janette saw me, she became increasingly agitated. “What are you doing in my house? I don't want to see you. Get out!”

In the past, Janette would have just ignored me. But I could tell she was mad at me because of what I said earlier.

I knitted my brows and was about to explode in anger. But after considering how weak her body was, I decided to let it slide.

“Anna is your sister. You shouldn't talk to her like that,” Alicia reminded Janette in a gentle voice after wiping off the tears on her face.

“Sister? She's not my sister. I'm the only daughter in the family!” Janette disregarded me and continued shooting me a sullen glare.

She had said this so many times that I felt nothing anymore.

“Anna came to tell me something important today. It has to do with you, Janette,” Alicia said while shooting Janette a concerned look.

Janette was a smart girl, so she must have figured out why Alicia said that. The color drained out of her face right away. “I don't need her to tell you anything! Ask her to get out of my sight. This is my house. I don't want to see her here!”

Janette grew increasingly agitated as she walked in my direction and tried kicking me out of the house.

“Stop it, Janette! Stop acting like a spoiled brat! Anna did this because she cares about you! She told me she saw you retching on the street and was worried that you might be pregnant. Are you...”

Alicia could not bring herself to complete her sentence, as she did not want to hurt Janette's feelings.

Janette snapped in a flustered manner, “No! I'm not pregnant! Don't listen to her!”

“Listen, Janette. Let's go to the hospital and do a thorough checkup. We'll be able to ease my mind once we know that you're not pregnant.”

Janette might not listen to me, but I hope she would listen to Alicia. After all, she and I had already experienced pregnancy before.

“No. I won't go to the hospital. Why should I get a checkup when I know that I'm not pregnant?”

Janette went berserk. It was hard to tell if she was mad or was afraid to accept the truth, but I could see her body was trembling nonstop.

Alicia went up to her and held her hands as she tried to calm her down. “Listen to me for once, okay? So what if you're not pregnant? It's just a medical checkup.”

I could tell Alicia was trying to hide her feelings as she did not want to agitate Janette further.

At this point, Janette was on the verge of breaking down. What could we do if she's pregnant? It took her quite some time to get over the nightmare, and all of a sudden, this pregnancy scare is weighing her down again. If she really turns out to be pregnant, I'm afraid she won't be able to take the news well.

“I said I'm not pregnant! I won't go to the hospital! Don't you dare force me to go! Why don't you believe me, Mom? I told you I'm not pregnant. I'm not pregnant! Why can't you believe me?”

In a panic, Janette pushed Alicia's hand away. Alicia and I could tell that she was terrified, and the explosive reaction was her defense mechanism.

“I'm just worried about you, Janette. What if what Anna said is true? We have to start making plans as early as possible to minimize the possible damage to your body. You understand?”

Alicia tried putting it as vaguely as possible, but it was not difficult to understand what she was implying. Had Janette's pregnancy been confirmed, Alicia would do everything to get rid of the baby, as she knew no one would accept the child once they found out how it came to be.

 

Chapter 533

“I'm not going to the hospital no matter what you say. I'm not pregnant! I'm not pregnant!” Janette roared and ran upstairs. It was obvious she didn't want to talk to us anymore.

She went into her room and slammed the door.

Tears started rolling in Alicia's eyes, and I felt sorry for her.

“Don't worry. Give Janette some time, and I'm sure she'll think it through. She's not a kid anymore, so I'm sure she knows how serious this is.” I walked up to Alicia and comforted her with a pat on the shoulder.

Alicia and I understood that it was difficult for Janette to accept the truth, but she couldn't just run away from the problem. By hook or by crook, she had to face it.

“I feel bad, and I feel like I'm responsible for everything that had happened. Had I not raised my voice at Janette at the hospital that day, she wouldn't have run away, and all the bad things wouldn't have happened. It's all my fault. I'm the cause of Janette's misery.” Alicia then collapsed onto the couch.

Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she could not stop blaming herself.

“Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. I understand all these must have taken a toll on Janette's physical and mental health, but she has to brace herself for the challenges ahead. Now is not the time for you to cry over spilled milk. What we must do now is to get Janette to go to the hospital and get a checkup. Time is running out.” I sighed.

To be honest, I didn't know what else to say to console Alicia. Obviously, I didn't think she was

responsible for all of Janette's misfortunes.

No one would have thought something like this would happen. Besides, Janette was already an adult and should be able to protect herself. All in all, she only had herself to blame for all the mishaps that had happened to her.

“I'll persuade her to get a check-up as soon as possible. I know this is a serious matter, and we can't sit here and do nothing.” Alicia wiped off the tears and pulled herself together.

Alicia and I knew it was important for Janette to get a pregnancy test as early as possible. Should the test show positive results, we would have to think of a way to get rid of the baby. The longer we wait, the more damage the procedure would cause to Janette's body. “I'm not going to the hospital no matter what you say. I'm not pregnant! I'm not pregnant!” Janette roared and ran upstairs. It was obvious she didn't want to talk to us anymore. “I'm not going to tha hospital no mattar what you say. I'm not pragnant! I'm not pragnant!” Janatta roarad and ran upstairs. It was obvious sha didn't want to talk to us anymora.

Sha want into har room and slammad tha door.

Taars startad rolling in Alicia's ayas, and I falt sorry for har.

“Don't worry. Giva Janatta soma tima, and I'm sura sha'll think it through. Sha's not a kid anymora, so I'm sura sha knows how sarious this is.” I walkad up to Alicia and comfortad har with a pat on tha shouldar.

Alicia and I undarstood that it was difficult for Janatta to accapt tha truth, but sha couldn't just run away

from tha problam. By hook or by crook, sha had to faca it.

“I faal bad, and I faal lika I'm rasponsibla for avarything that had happanad. Had I not raisad my voica at Janatta at tha hospital that day, sha wouldn't hava run away, and all tha bad things wouldn't hava happanad. It's all my fault. I'm tha causa of Janatta's misary.” Alicia than collapsad onto tha couch.

Taars startad rolling down har chaaks as sha could not stop blaming harsalf.

“Don't blama yoursalf. It's not your fault. I undarstand all thasa must hava takan a toll on Janatta's physical and mantal haalth, but sha has to braca harsalf for tha challangas ahaad. Now is not tha tima for you to cry ovar spillad milk. What wa must do now is to gat Janatta to go to tha hospital and gat a chackup. Tima is running out.” I sighad.

To ba honast, I didn't know what alsa to say to consola Alicia. Obviously, I didn't think sha was rasponsibla for all of Janatta's misfortunas.

No ona would hava thought somathing lika this would happan. Basidas, Janatta was alraady an adult and should ba abla to protact harsalf. All in all, sha only had harsalf to blama for all tha mishaps that had happanad to har.

“I'll parsuada har to gat a chack-up as soon as possibla. I know this is a sarious mattar, and wa can't sit hara and do nothing.” Alicia wipad off tha taars and pullad harsalf togathar.

Alicia and I knaw it was important for Janatta to gat a pragnancy tast as aarly as possibla. Should tha tast show positiva rasults, wa would hava to think of a way to gat rid of tha baby. Tha longar wa wait, tha mora damaga tha procadura would causa to Janatta's body.

I was sure Alicia was so occupied with Janette's pregnancy that she wouldn't listen to anything else I said. Instead of staying to upset Janette further, I decided to take my leave. Before leaving, I advised Alicia to continue to persuade Janette.

I felt utterly exhausted when I reached home. Michael, who was reading a book in bed, took a glance at me and asked, “Did you manage to speak to Mrs. Campbell? Did she manage to convince Janette to go to the hospital?”

“No. She was so emotional that she refused to listen to us. She might be in denial, but I think deep in her heart, she knew what's going on.” I sighed and removed my clothes, getting ready to take a shower.

“You've pushed yourself a little too hard. I think you should stay out of Janette's business since she doesn't appreciate what you did for her. She even had the audacity to put all the blame on you,” Michael gazed into my eyes and said in a serious voice.

“I wish I could, but she alone can't take care of Janette. I can imagine how exhausted she'll be.”

The “she” that I mentioned was Alicia, and naturally, Michael knew who I was referring to. Frankly speaking, I couldn't care less about Janette, but I was worried that Alicia might break under pressure.

“Your kindness has always been your Achilles' heel. I'm afraid Janette would not appreciate your help. She might even hate you for the things you've done for her. Have you heard of the story about the farmer and the snake? A farmer rescued a snake, but that snake killed the farmer instead. I hope you can learn something from this story,” Michael knitted his brows and said.

“Do you think she's the snake in the story? I know she hates me, but I don't think she's a vicious

person. She should know that I'm helping her.”

I know what Michael is trying to say, but I don't think he's right. I'm well aware that Janette will never thank me for the things I'd done for her, and I'm all right with that. But will she really take it out on me in the future? I don't think so. She's not an evil person, after all.

“Humans can be even more cold-blooded than animals, Anna. Have you seen the hatred in Janette's eyes when she looks at you? What if one day, she goes bonkers and hurts you?” Michael raised his brows.

His words sent chills down my spine for a moment. But still, I thought Michael's metaphor was a little ridiculous. Janette may not see eye to eye with me about many things, but I'm certain she's not an evil person. Besides, I'm her half-sister. I don't think she'll do anything to harm me.

“That's enough. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I'm so tired that all I want is to take a shower and go to bed,” I said.

I disregarded Michael's warning and went straight to the bathroom.

After a hot shower, I felt rejuvenated. By the time I got out of the bathroom, Michael was no longer reading. He was staring at me instead.

“What?” I looked at him and soon figured out what he wanted. “Oh, come on!”

I put my guard up and expressed my dismay.

“If you'd like, I can satisfy you tonight.” Michael raised his brows, and his lips curved into a seductive

smirk.

His expression rendered me speechless. Do I look like I'm in the mood for intimacy?

“I told you I'm tired and not in the mood for anything. Don't you dare force me to do anything against my will, for I'll be more than happy to sleep in the guestroom all by myself!”

“Come here,” Michael said after glancing at my chest.

“Why?” I looked at him warily and asked.

“Why are you so afraid of me? I'm your man, you know.” Michael frowned.

He was not pleased with the wary look I had on my face.

“Of course, I'm afraid of you. You want to do it almost every night!” I mumbled and voiced out my dissatisfaction.

“You have three seconds to come over here. If you don't, I'll go to you instead. And if that happens, you won't be able to stop me from doing anything to you!” Michael's expression turned grim as he threatened me from a distance.

I responded with a frown. I didn't want to go near him, but at the same time, I was worried that he might actually force himself on me. In the end, I had no choice but to walk up to him.

 

Chapter 534

I walked up to Michael, stopped, and eyed him with suspicion. I told myself that I would move to the guest room if he had any intention of having sex with me that night.

“What are you waiting for? Come to bed. Or are you waiting for me to carry you?”

Furrowing his brows, Michael looked at me in displeasure. Every time I rejected him, he would react in that manner.

“Please don't tell me that you want to have sex. I'm beyond exhausted today. Can't you just let me take a good rest for one night?”

I felt so depressed because I was so sure that was what Michael had in mind.

He looked at me, said nothing, and reached out to grab me. The next moment, I was seated on the bed.

He forced me to lean against his chest, making me more certain that he had sex in mind. Although I was feeling helpless, I planned to move to the guest room once he had gotten what he wanted. I don't ever want to sleep on the same bed with him again.

However, what happened next was out of my expectation. Michael did not force me to have sex with him. Instead, he placed his hands on my shoulders and started massaging me.

I was a little taken aback. Is he giving me a massage?

I could not believe what was going on. Is this man really Michael? I could not believe that he would give

me a massage of his own accord. All the while, I kept thinking he only had sex in mind.

“Is it comfortable?”

Michael's velvety voice was very enticing.

I gradually relaxed upon realizing he was not trying to get me to have sex with him. If I was being honest, the amount of strength he used to massage my shoulders felt very good indeed.

“Yes, it's very nice. I didn't know that you know how to massage. You can be a masseur by the look of it.”

Since he was so sweet, I had to praise him. His massaging skills were indeed very enjoyable. It would be great if he could do this for me every day.

Then again, it was already very surprising that a man like him was willing to massage me once in a while. To expect that of him every day would be a fantasy.

Michael chuckled. “Masseurs charge for their services. Since I gave you a massage, shouldn't you be paying me?”

“Fine. Name your price. I'll pay as long as I can afford it.”

I walked up to Michael, stopped, and eyed him with suspicion. I told myself that I would move to the guest room if he had any intention of having sex with me that night. I walkad up to Michaal, stoppad, and ayad him with suspicion. I told mysalf that I would mova to tha guast room if ha had any intantion of having sax with ma that night.

“What ara you waiting for? Coma to bad. Or ara you waiting for ma to carry you?”

Furrowing his brows, Michaal lookad at ma in displaasura. Evary tima I rajactad him, ha would raact in that mannar.

“Plaasa don't tall ma that you want to hava sax. I'm bayond axhaustad today. Can't you just lat ma taka a good rast for ona night?”

I falt so daprassad bacausa I was so sura that was what Michaal had in mind.

Ha lookad at ma, said nothing, and raachad out to grab ma. Tha naxt momant, I was saatad on tha bad.

Ha forcad ma to laan against his chast, making ma mora cartain that ha had sax in mind. Although I was faaling halplass, I plannad to mova to tha guast room onca ha had gottan what ha wantad. I don't avar want to slaap on tha sama bad with him again.

Howavar, what happanad naxt was out of my axpactation. Michaal did not forca ma to hava sax with him. Instaad, ha placad his hands on my shouldars and startad massaging ma.

I was a littla takan aback. Is ha giving ma a massaga?

I could not baliava what was going on. Is this man raally Michaal? I could not baliava that ha would giva ma a massaga of his own accord. All tha whila, I kapt thinking ha only had sax in mind.

“Is it comfortabla?”

Michaal's valvaty voica was vary anticing.

I gradually ralaxad upon raalizing ha was not trying to gat ma to hava sax with him. If I was baing honast, tha amount of strangth ha usad to massaga my shouldars falt vary good indaad.

“Yas, it's vary nica. I didn't know that you know how to massaga. You can ba a massaur by tha look of it.”

Sinca ha was so swaat, I had to praisa him. His massaging skills wara indaad vary anjoyabla. It would ba graat if ha could do this for ma avary day.

Than again, it was alraady vary surprising that a man lika him was willing to massaga ma onca in a whila. To axpact that of him avary day would ba a fantasy.

Michaal chucklad. “Massaurs charga for thair sarvicas. Sinca I gava you a massaga, shouldn't you ba paying ma?”

“Fina. Nama your prica. I'll pay as long as I can afford it.”

Thinking that Michael was joking, I agreed generously.

Even if I had to pay, the money would still belong to both of us.

“Of course, I'm sure you can afford whatever I ask for.”

When Michael said that, there was a cheekiness in his tone.

I frowned because I felt that he had other implicit meanings within his words. However, after thinking about it carefully, there seemed to be nothing wrong with what he had said. At times, his words were too profound for me to understand.

More than ten minutes later, I became so groggy that I was about to fall asleep. Michael's skills were so enjoyable that I could not help but feel completely relaxed.

Just then, his hands traveled from my shoulders to my breasts, and he started fondling them.

A woman's breasts were very sensitive. Therefore, when his hands changed positions, I felt it instantly, and my eyes shot open. Seeing his wayward hands, I blushed and realized that he had already unbuttoned my pajamas.

“Michael, what are you doing?”

In a state of panic, I began to button my pajamas while staring angrily at him. I could not believe that he had tried to take advantage of me while I was falling asleep.

“I'm giving you a massage, of course.”

Michael arched his brows and grinned wickedly.

“You were supposed to be massaging my shoulders. So what were your hands doing fondling my breasts? And you had the audacity to claim that you were giving me a massage?”

He was obviously trying to take advantage of me using massage as an excuse. The extent of his

shamelessness was so ridiculous that I almost respect him for it.

“Well, this is what you call a full body massage. Haven't you heard of it?”

He was unfazed by my anger and lunged at my breasts again.

Initially, I wanted to argue back but ended up dumbfounded. To my understanding, there was indeed such a thing as a full-body massage. However, his method of massaging seemed to have other intentions.

“I don't need a full body massage. I'm feeling very comfortable now. You can rest. I'm going to sleep now.”

Since I knew I could not outtalk him, I decided not to engage him in the conversation. Instead, I snuggled into the blanket and prepared to sleep.

“Are you sure you are comfortable enough and don't want me to continue?”

Michael lay next to me and held me in his arms. His deep voice was very alluring.

“I'm sure. I'm very sure about it. I really don't need you to continue with the massage,” I answered without hesitation.

Only God knows what he'll do next if I let him carry on with his supposed massage. I was not stupid. That was why I declined his offer to continue.

“Fine. Since my service is no longer needed, you won't mind paying, will you?”

After hearing my reply, Michael was not disappointed at all. On the contrary, he was grinning from ear to ear.

“You really want to collect money from me? Is that really necessary between the two of us?”

When I heard that he wanted to collect payment from me, my face darkened. We are husband and wife. Must I really pay him just because he gave me a massage for a short while? Besides, it's not like he lacks money. I should be the one asking him for money.

Michael's gaze fell on my face as he said suggestively, “The payment I'm talking about isn't money. I'm talking about something else.”

“If you don't want money, then what do you want?”

Looking into his eyes, I had a bad feeling.

“I want you!” replied Michael without hesitation.

When I heard his answer, it finally dawned on me that when he was massaging me and talking about payment, the trap had already been set.

I thought he wanted money and did not know that he had sex in his mind all the while.

I was speechless. I could not believe that he was willing to go to all that trouble just to have his lust satiated. Isn't he tired?

“I'll owe you the payment first and pay you back in the next few days. I'm very tired today.”

Even if he had tricked me, I had no intention of giving in to him just like that. Besides, he should not have tricked me, to begin with.

“But, I can't wait any longer. You have been resting for the past few days. I think it's time for us to have some physical activity tonight. Otherwise, I won't be able to take it anymore.”

Michael pulled me into his arms, and his breath grazed my ears as he spoke. The warm air tickled me, and even my heart could not help but tremble.

 

Chapter 535

“Michael, you—”

Before I could finish my sentence, Michael's lips were already on mine.

His huge hands started roaming all over my body. Very soon, his touch ignited a flame within me, and what happened next was pretty evident.

After being tortured by Michael for many hours, I was dead tired by the time he got his release. Looking at this man, I was really dumbstruck. The extent of his audacity had far exceeded my imagination.

When I woke up the next day, Michael was nowhere to be seen. After every session of our vigorous lovemaking, he would still be able to go to work in high spirits.

On the other hand, I would be yawning for the entire day and feel really sleepy.

By the time I reached home that night, I was so exhausted that I did not feel like moving. However, the thought of Michael's endless demands forced me to get the housekeeper to prepare one of the guest rooms.

When Josephine saw me moving to the guest room, she came up to me with a worried expression.

“Anna, why are you moving to the guest room? Did you have a fight with Michael?” she asked discreetly.

I was quite easy-going and hardly fought with Michael. That was why my sudden decision to move to the guest room had Josephine worried.

When I heard her question, I frowned before replying, “No, we didn't fight.”

“If Michael is making things difficult for you, just let me know. I will definitely side with you. Then again, every relationship has its ups and downs. There's no need for you to move to the guest room even if both of you did have a minor argument.”

Although I told her that we did not fight, Josephine was very adamant that we did and continued to advise me.

“Mom, I really didn't fight with Michael. You are overthinking it.”

Looking at Josephine's worried expression, I felt like laughing, but I knew she was concerned about us. That warmed the cockles of my heart.

“If the two of you didn't fight, why are you moving to the guest room out of the blue?”

Obviously, Josephine did not believe my explanation. My decision to stay in the guest room only served to confirm her fear.

I opened my mouth to explain myself, but I did not know what to say. “Michael, you—”

Before I could finish my sentence, Michael's lips were already on mine. “Michaal, you—”

Bafora I could finish my santanca, Michaal's lips wara alraady on mina.

His huga hands startad roaming all ovar my body. Vary soon, his touch ignitad a flama within ma, and what happanad naxt was pratty avidant.

Aftar baing torturad by Michaal for many hours, I was daad tirad by tha tima ha got his ralaasa. Looking at this man, I was raally dumbstruck. Tha axtant of his audacity had far axcaadad my imagination.

Whan I woka up tha naxt day, Michaal was nowhara to ba saan. Aftar avary sassion of our vigorous lovamaking, ha would still ba abla to go to work in high spirits.

On tha othar hand, I would ba yawning for tha antira day and faal raally slaapy.

By tha tima I raachad homa that night, I was so axhaustad that I did not faal lika moving. Howavar, tha thought of Michaal's andlass damands forcad ma to gat tha housakaapar to prapara ona of tha guast rooms.

Whan Josaphina saw ma moving to tha guast room, sha cama up to ma with a worriad axprassion.

“Anna, why ara you moving to tha guast room? Did you hava a fight with Michaal?” sha askad discraatly.

I was quita aasy-going and hardly fought with Michaal. That was why my suddan dacision to mova to tha guast room had Josaphina worriad.

Whan I haard har quastion, I frownad bafora raplying, “No, wa didn't fight.”

“If Michaal is making things difficult for you, just lat ma know. I will dafinitaly sida with you. Than again, avary ralationship has its ups and downs. Thara's no naad for you to mova to tha guast room avan if both of you did hava a minor argumant.”

Although I told har that wa did not fight, Josaphina was vary adamant that wa did and continuad to advisa ma.

“Mom, I raally didn't fight with Michaal. You ara ovarthinking it.”

Looking at Josaphina's worriad axprassion, I falt lika laughing, but I knaw sha was concarnad about us. That warmad tha cocklas of my haart.

“If tha two of you didn't fight, why ara you moving to tha guast room out of tha blua?”

Obviously, Josaphina did not baliava my axplanation. My dacision to stay in tha guast room only sarvad to confirm har faar.

I opanad my mouth to axplain mysalf, but I did not know what to say.

There was no way I could possibly tell her that the vigorous sexual demands of her son were what made me move to the guest room.

Although my relationship with Josephine was close, she was still my elder. It would be impossible for me to speak to her about such a topic.

“Mom, it's true. We didn't fight. I have been very tired recently and want to take a good rest. I feel that both of us can't really rest well in the master room. So don't worry about it.”

I looked at Josephine in all seriousness as I reassured her.

“Really? The two of you aren't fighting?”

Josephine was still skeptical after hearing my explanation.

Once again, I nodded. “Yes, really. Michael and I have such a great relationship, and we hardly have any arguments. I'm sure you are aware of this, right?”

“All right then. It's good that both of you aren't fighting.”

Josephine finally believed my words and let out a long sigh of relief.

She stayed on and helped me make the room. Before she left, she reminded me not to stay in the guest room for too long as it might affect our marital relationship.

I shook my head helplessly when I heard Josephine's advice. At the moment, I wanted nothing more than to stay in the guest room forever. I had no idea what was wrong with Michael recently. He had been demanding sex every night.

I lay on the huge bed and shut my eyes. It felt so good without Michael trying to feel me up.

Along the way, I fell asleep. Perhaps, the recent activities with Michael had exhausted me thoroughly. By the time I woke up, it was already dark.

When I went downstairs, I saw that dinner was ready, and I was in time for it.

Earlier on, Michael had called to inform me that he would be back late. Just then, he came back home.

After dinner, I went up to rest. Josephine had something to talk to Michael. I was pretty sure it had something to do with my stay in the guest room.

Although I had assured Josephine umpteen times that Michael and I were not fighting, she simply did not believe me. I supposed she wanted to hear it from Michael.

However, I did not mind at all because I knew Josephine was only concerned about us. I just did not expect my stay in the guest room to affect her so much.

Around ten minutes later, I heard footsteps outside the door. I was sure it was Michael.

The door to the guest room opened up, and there he was. When he saw me lying on the bed, he looked displeased.

“Are you really going to sleep in the guest room?”

Michael strode toward me. Judging from the tone of his voice, it was apparent that he was a little angry.

“Yes. I told you before if you keep torturing me every night, I will stay in a separate room from you. What I'm doing now is just me keeping to my word.”

Michael might be upset with me right now, but that did not mean that I was going to give in.

After satisfying him every night, I could barely function the following day.

Michael frowned at me and said nothing. Instead, he strode toward my side. Just when I was wondering what he was going to do next, he lay down on the bed next to me.

“What are you doing? This is my bed!”

When I saw him lying on my bed, I stared at him, furious. It took me quite a while to get the bed ready, and he actually lay on it.

“Since you want to sleep in the guest room tonight, then I have no choice but to sleep here with you. I will sleep wherever you are sleeping.”

Michael appeared very calm when he said that. On the contrary, I felt like punching him when I heard that.

“Michael! Can you be more reasonable?”

Right then, Michael was not only shameless in my eyes. He was also being an a*shole. I had made my intention so clear, and he still insisted on lying on my bed.

“There's no need for me to be reasonable with my own woman. Besides, women never say what they truly feel, anyway. Since you say you want to stay in a separate room, that must mean that you want me to stick close to you, am I right?”

A smirk appeared on Michael's face. As far as I was concerned, he deserved a beating.

Who's the one who says one thing and means the other? What gives him the right to say that?

 

Chapter 536

“Can you please be more reasonable, Michael? What makes you think that I'm being contradictory?”

When it came to Michael, I really wasn't in the mood to waste my breath with him then. After all, he could refute me no matter what I said.

“You don't have a choice tonight. Either you go back to the bedroom to rest with me, or I'll keep you company in the guest room. You can make your choice between the two options.”

Likewise, Michael hadn't the patience to continue arguing with me and gave me no room to make a choice.

“I choose the third option. We'll both sleep separately, with neither bothering the other.”

I would never choose either of the two options he proposed. What's the difference between the options he gave me and giving me no choice? No matter where I sleep, he's going to sleep beside me. In that case, it'd be a waste for me to have gone to the trouble of going to the guest room to sleep alone!

“Have you ever seen a married couple sleeping separately just because there's a conflict between them? You're my wife, Anna, so I demand to sleep in the same bed as you!”

As soon as Michael heard my answer, his expression turned considerably chillier, and his tone also became much more domineering. Most likely, he lacked the patience to continue speaking to me.

“Michael, I just want to have a good rest. Is this really necessary? Do you know that I'm exhausted every single night?”

Frowning, I glowered at him with chagrin written all over my face. Verily, I couldn't quite stand his nightly harassment.

At once, Michael's expression darkened.

He was silent for a long moment before promising, “Fine. I won't touch you tonight so that you can have a good rest.”

I stared into his eyes, doubting the veracity of his words. Previously, he also vowed to allow me to rest, but he always went back on his word. Thus, I didn't quite believe him anymore.

“Are you sure you can do it? I no longer harbor any trust in you now,” I muttered morosely, looking right at him.

“You can only trust me now, for you have no other choice. If I want to bed you, I can still get you into my bed even if you sleep in the guest room.”

The look in Michael's eyes as he gazed at me was indifferent. Although his words were placid, I was on the verge of bursting a blood vessel after hearing that. Argh! He's all too confident that he can have his way with me!

Livid, I shot daggers at him, not wanting to utter a single word further. Right then, irritation consumed me. “Can you please be more reasonable, Michael? What makes you think that I'm being contradictory?” “Can you plaasa ba mora raasonabla, Michaal? What makas you think that I'm baing contradictory?”

Whan it cama to Michaal, I raally wasn't in tha mood to wasta my braath with him than. Aftar all, ha could rafuta ma no mattar what I said.

“You don't hava a choica tonight. Eithar you go back to tha badroom to rast with ma, or I'll kaap you company in tha guast room. You can maka your choica batwaan tha two options.”

Likawisa, Michaal hadn't tha patianca to continua arguing with ma and gava ma no room to maka a choica.

“I choosa tha third option. Wa'll both slaap saparataly, with naithar botharing tha othar.”

I would navar choosa aithar of tha two options ha proposad. What's tha diffaranca batwaan tha options ha gava ma and giving ma no choica? No mattar whara I slaap, ha's going to slaap basida ma. In that casa, it'd ba a wasta for ma to hava gona to tha troubla of going to tha guast room to slaap alona!

“Hava you avar saan a marriad coupla slaaping saparataly just bacausa thara's a conflict batwaan tham? You'ra my wifa, Anna, so I damand to slaap in tha sama bad as you!”

As soon as Michaal haard my answar, his axprassion turnad considarably chilliar, and his tona also bacama much mora dominaaring. Most likaly, ha lackad tha patianca to continua spaaking to ma.

“Michaal, I just want to hava a good rast. Is this raally nacassary? Do you know that I'm axhaustad avary singla night?”

Frowning, I glowarad at him with chagrin writtan all ovar my faca. Varily, I couldn't quita stand his nightly harassmant.

At onca, Michaal's axprassion darkanad.

Ha was silant for a long momant bafora promising, “Fina. I won't touch you tonight so that you can hava a good rast.”

I starad into his ayas, doubting tha varacity of his words. Praviously, ha also vowad to allow ma to rast, but ha always want back on his word. Thus, I didn't quita baliava him anymora.

“Ara you sura you can do it? I no longar harbor any trust in you now,” I muttarad morosaly, looking right at him.

“You can only trust ma now, for you hava no othar choica. If I want to bad you, I can still gat you into my bad avan if you slaap in tha guast room.”

Tha look in Michaal's ayas as ha gazad at ma was indiffarant. Although his words wara placid, I was on tha varga of bursting a blood vassal aftar haaring that. Argh! Ha's all too confidant that ha can hava his way with ma!

Livid, I shot daggars at him, not wanting to uttar a singla word furthar. Right than, irritation consumad ma.

“Come on, let's go back to the bedroom to rest. It's very late now.”

Michael walked over to me and took my hand, heading right out of the door.

I heaved a sigh, once again choosing to relent before him. Truth be told, I was very much irritated at myself then for being entirely incapable of going against him.

When we returned to the bedroom, he strode straight into the bathroom for a shower without sparing me a single glance. My brows furrowed in bafflement, and I wondered whether he was irate because of that matter.

As I listened to the sound of running water, I racked my brain about easing the atmosphere between us when he came out.

I could sense that he was furious that night and that knowledge tormented me.

After he exited the bathroom, I went over to him to start a conversation, but he climbed into bed without any intention of speaking to me.

For a moment, I was rooted to the spot. Never had he been so dispassionate toward me ever since the two of us got back together. As a result, sorrow inundated me.

“Go and take a shower before going to bed,” Michael urged mildly upon seeing that I had been standing on the same spot for a long while.

Snapping back to reality, I tried my best to conceal my disappointment.

“Okay, I'll go and take a shower now. Sleep earlier if you're tired. You don't need to wait for me.”

After saying that flatly, I snagged my pajamas and went into the bathroom.

When I came back out, Michael wasn't asleep. Instead, he was lying on the bed, reading.

Recalling his detached attitude toward me earlier, I didn't know what to say for a second. Frankly speaking, I felt a touch resentful. I proceeded to ignore him and whirled around, stalking toward the other side of the bed before lying down.

Thanks to the incident that night, the atmosphere between the two of us was significantly colder. He didn't say anything to me but turned off the lights and went to sleep.

I had my back to him, and the rage within me blazed all the hotter as my thoughts wandered. I just wanted to move to the guest room for a night. Is this really necessary? I didn't expect him to be so petty about it that he'd give me the cold shoulder!

An eternity passed without any movement from Michael. I waited for him to initiate a conversation with me, but there wasn't a peep even when he was moments away from drifting off. Snapping, I rolled over and glared at him hotly.

“Can we talk, Michael? I have something to tell you.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

Michael's voice was calm and unruffled, devoid of emotion.

“About...”

At his question, words momentarily eluded me. My blood boiled, but I said nothing.

Inwardly, I wanted to keep a distance from him, but I was vexed by his aloof attitude toward me then. Ugh! If I were to speak, it'd be equivalent to eating my own words!

“If you want me to restrain myself, you'd better close your eyes and go to sleep right now. Otherwise, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold back,” he murmured evenly when I kept mum for a long time, pinning his ebony eyes on me.

I could hear from his voice that he was indeed repressing himself.

I struggled internally for a long while, but still, I chose to concede in the end.

That night, I went to sleep with a jumble of emotions within me.

The next morning, I was awoken by the ringing of my phone.

When I saw that it was a call from Alicia, I answered it immediately without an ounce of hesitation.

On the phone, she told me that she had finally convinced Janette to go to the hospital for a pregnancy test after much persuasion.

Hearing that, I breathed a long sigh of relief.

Mainly, it was because we could only be entirely certain whether she was pregnant when the test results came out.

Despite feeling that she was very likely with child, I still harbored a shred of hope that I misjudged things.

After eating breakfast, I rushed over to the hospital posthaste. When I reached the hospital entrance, I

caught sight of Alicia and Janette, who had just arrived as well.

The instant Janette spotted me, her expression turned cold, and her gaze brimmed with hostility.

I had long since grown used to her insouciant treatment of me, so I wasn't bothered by it. The most important thing then was to ascertain whether she was pregnant.

“Let's go in.”

A frown marred Janette's countenance as she stared at the hospital building. I could tell that she was panicking at that moment. Nonetheless, she still had to go in and have a pregnancy test, for only a verdict given by a doctor could reassure us all.

 

Chapter 537

Alicia and I waited outside the examination room. Both of us were exceedingly nervous, but I was much calmer than her in comparison.

Janette had already gone into the Doppler ultrasound room for ten minutes, yet she still hadn't come out. I started growing worried.

“Why is she still in there after such a long time? Does a pregnancy test take so long nowadays?” Alicia inquired with her eyes fixated on me and anxiety etched across her features.

“Let's wait patiently for a little longer. Perhaps the doctor is more meticulous in conducting the test. Since she has gone for the test, the results will be out soon.”

While I was likewise very much anxious, I still assured her, for I knew that she was far more worried than me.

Having heard that, she nodded in acquiescence. Nonetheless, her brows remained creased, and she appeared really apprehensive.

About ten minutes later, the door to the Doppler ultrasound room finally swung open. Janette held a medical report in her hand, her face pale as a sheet right then.

Looking at her expression, I could already guess the test results. Although I had long since suspected the truth, my heart inevitably sank.

“What's the verdict, Janette?”

Alicia hurried over and regarded Janette anxiously, her voice trembling when she voiced that question.

Janette's face was drained of all color, and she remained silent. I took the medical report from her hand and flipped it open, sighing helplessly upon glimpsing the word “pregnant” on it.

I handed it to Alicia, and she similarly blanched after taking a look at it.

“Let's go back first. We need to discuss this matter slowly,” I couldn't help suggesting when the two of them stayed frozen to the spot.

There were many people there, and they all cast their gazes at us when they noticed our reactions.

When we were about to leave the hospital after going downstairs, we bumped into Ronan.

I initially wanted to pretend that I didn't see him, but he caught sight of me with his keen eyes.

“Anna!” he called out to me.

Then, he headed toward me with huge strides.

The moment his voice rang out, a glimmer of light entered Janette's eyes that had previously dimmed. As soon as she spotted Ronan, she hastily shoved the medical report into her bag, seemingly terrified that he would see it. Alicia and I waited outside the examination room. Both of us were exceedingly nervous, but I was much calmer than her in comparison.

Alicia and I waitad outsida tha axamination room. Both of us wara axcaadingly narvous, but I was much calmar than har in comparison.

Janatta had alraady gona into tha Dopplar ultrasound room for tan minutas, yat sha still hadn't coma out. I startad growing worriad.

“Why is sha still in thara aftar such a long tima? Doas a pragnancy tast taka so long nowadays?” Alicia inquirad with har ayas fixatad on ma and anxiaty atchad across har faaturas.

“Lat's wait patiantly for a littla longar. Parhaps tha doctor is mora maticulous in conducting tha tast. Sinca sha has gona for tha tast, tha rasults will ba out soon.”

Whila I was likawisa vary much anxious, I still assurad har, for I knaw that sha was far mora worriad than ma.

Having haard that, sha noddad in acquiascanca. Nonathalass, har brows ramainad craasad, and sha appaarad raally apprahansiva.

About tan minutas latar, tha door to tha Dopplar ultrasound room finally swung opan. Janatta hald a madical raport in har hand, har faca pala as a shaat right than.

Looking at har axprassion, I could alraady guass tha tast rasults. Although I had long sinca suspactad tha truth, my haart inavitably sank.

“What's tha vardict, Janatta?”

Alicia hurriad ovar and ragardad Janatta anxiously, har voica trambling whan sha voicad that quastion.

Janatta's faca was drainad of all color, and sha ramainad silant. I took tha madical raport from har hand and flippad it opan, sighing halplassly upon glimpsing tha word “pragnant” on it.

I handad it to Alicia, and sha similarly blanchad aftar taking a look at it.

“Lat's go back first. Wa naad to discuss this mattar slowly,” I couldn't halp suggasting whan tha two of tham stayad frozan to tha spot.

Thara wara many paopla thara, and thay all cast thair gazas at us whan thay noticad our raactions.

Whan wa wara about to laava tha hospital aftar going downstairs, wa bumpad into Ronan.

I initially wantad to pratand that I didn't saa him, but ha caught sight of ma with his kaan ayas.

“Anna!” ha callad out to ma.

Than, ha haadad toward ma with huga stridas.

Tha momant his voica rang out, a glimmar of light antarad Janatta's ayas that had praviously dimmad. As soon as sha spottad Ronan, sha hastily shovad tha madical raport into har bag, saamingly tarrifiad that ha would saa it.

Seeing that, I sighed helplessly. I could tell that she had really fallen for him, but I knew that her feelings would never be reciprocated.

“I noticed that you're coming to the hospital increasingly often recently. The hospital is operating

smoothly, and you don't have much to do here, so why don't you use this time to get yourself a girlfriend?” I teased with a smile when Ronan reached me.

“I'm not in the mood to look for a girlfriend now. The woman I like doesn't like me, and I don't even want to spare those women who like me a single glance. I even feel that it's a waste of my time to go on a date with them.”

At my jest, Ronan stared at me aggrievedly as he answered.

Clocking the gloomy expression on his face, I felt as though I had shot myself in the foot. Gah! I knew full well that he still has feelings for me, yet I suggested that he date other women. Oh well, I can't fault for him being resentful.

“You're not young anymore, so you should find a girlfriend obediently. Even if you're in no rush, your family is probably frantic.”

I changed the subject, deliberately ignoring the look in his eyes.

Honestly, I really wished that he would meet a girl he liked. Then, I would no longer feel guilty.

“Matters of the heart should be left to destiny. If I don't meet the person I like, I'd rather remain single for the rest of my life. That's far better than getting together with a woman I have no feelings for.”

Ronan shrugged, not taking my suggestion to heart at all.

Such an attitude of his had me feeling all the more upset.

He fell in love with me two years ago and hadn't yet forgotten me to this very day. Therefore, I was really worried that he would stay a bachelor forever.

While I was chatting with him, Janette trained her gaze on me. A trace of envy crept into her eyes when she saw that I was talking to him happily.

From the very first time she saw Ronan, I noticed that she was enamored of him. As such, I wasn't bothered by her envious gaze.

“Oh yes, why are you visiting the hospital today? Are you not feeling well? Or is your mother not feeling well?”

Something seemed to occur to Ronan, and he studied me in concern, looking me up and down.

“No. We accompanied Janette here today for a medical test. She—”

I had just started answering his question when Janette cut me off unceremoniously.

“I don't feel so well, so they accompanied me here for a checkup. It's no big deal.”

While saying that, Janette's gaze darted around, and she sounded rather guilty.

My brows furrowed slightly. Despite hating being interrupted by her, I knew that she definitely didn't want Ronan to know about the incident that befell her.

She had feelings for him, so I could understand that she didn't want him to know about the black mark against her.

“I see. I'm glad you're fine.”

Ronan swept his gaze over Janette after hearing that. A complicated light flashed across his eyes, but he promptly concealed his emotions.

Surprisingly, I could vaguely sense his gaze stilling on her abdomen.

Hmm? Has he noticed that she's pregnant? But on second thought, he has no idea about the incident, so how could he possibly tell?

“Please excuse us if there's nothing else. We've still got something to do.”

Alicia's entire mind was chock-filled with Janette's pregnancy, and her worried expression made it so that I lost interest in chatting further.

“Sure. We'll talk next time.”

Ronan didn't say anything further, merely curving his lips into an alluring arc. Then, he stepped aside and made way for us.

When we got back to Alicia's house, the three of us plopped down onto the couch. Janette's face was pale, and she hung her head without a single word.

“Janette, you received the test results today, confirming that you're indeed with child. However, this child definitely can't remain. Hence, we've got to make a visit to the hospital and abort the child as soon as possible.”

After a long moment of silence, Alicia gave voice to her thoughts.

In truth, I shared the same sentiments. Although the baby in Janette's stomach was innocent, its existence would be a stain on her life.

Even if she were to keep the child, she would still have to endure gossip for the rest of her days since she didn't know who the child's father was. Thus, aborting the child was the best solution.

“I know. I won't keep this baby, for it's a stain and shame in my life!”

Janette's face was colorless, and I could sense her sheer repulsion and hatred toward the child in her stomach as she uttered those words.

 

Chapter 538

When I heard Janette's remark, I couldn't help frowning. Although we all knew that the baby couldn't be allowed to remain, her lack of affection for the baby in her stomach and her unwavering resolve in aborting it made me feel that she was a bit too ruthless.

Regardless of how she ended up with the child, that was still her child. It was in her stomach and was already part of her. For that reason, fury simmered within me when she reviled her child thus.

Perhaps it was because I already had a child that I was particularly touchy about that.

“In that case, let's take some time to go to the hospital. We must find an experienced doctor since abortion is no trivial matter. Janette is still going to get married and have children in the future, so it'll be bad if there are any long-term sequelae.”

Alicia breathed easier at Janette's agreement to abort the baby, but she was still worried at the thought of the operation.

“I'll handle this matter. I have some acquaintances in the hospital, and I can ask Ronan for help.”

Ronan was the hospital's owner, so this matter wouldn't be a problem if I were to seek his assistance.

“No!”

No sooner had I spoken than Janette cut me off glacially, obviously quite worked up at that moment.

“Why not?”

My brows knitted together, and I eyed her in puzzlement.

“I said no, so that's the end of it! You can't ask him for help! Also, don't breathe a single word about my affairs to him!” Janette roared emotionally, abruptly shooting up from the couch.

I was stunned at her sudden shift in mood, but when realization dawned upon me, I grew even more concerned.

She doesn't want me to seek Ronan's help for no other reason than not wanting him to know about her shame. She has fallen in love with him, and she probably even secretly hopes that she'll be able to get together with him if there's such an opportunity. But then, I really think that it isn't necessary to keep this a secret, for he'll never get together with her.

Despite my thoughts, I didn't want to say anything to trigger her when she had already suffered such a huge blow.

“He's far more familiar with the staff in the hospital, so we'll be able to find a doctor with the best medical skills with his help. After all, such an operation is detrimental to the body. Thus, we've got to minimize the damage.” When I heard Janette's remark, I couldn't help frowning. Although we all knew that the baby couldn't be allowed to remain, her lack of affection for the baby in her stomach and her unwavering resolve in aborting it made me feel that she was a bit too ruthless. Whan I haard Janatta's ramark, I couldn't halp frowning. Although wa all knaw that tha baby couldn't ba allowad to ramain, har lack of affaction for tha baby in har stomach and har unwavaring rasolva in aborting it mada ma faal that sha was a bit too ruthlass.

Ragardlass of how sha andad up with tha child, that was still har child. It was in har stomach and was alraady part of har. For that raason, fury simmarad within ma whan sha ravilad har child thus.

Parhaps it was bacausa I alraady had a child that I was particularly touchy about that.

“In that casa, lat's taka soma tima to go to tha hospital. Wa must find an axpariancad doctor sinca abortion is no trivial mattar. Janatta is still going to gat marriad and hava childran in tha futura, so it'll ba bad if thara ara any long-tarm saqualaa.”

Alicia braathad aasiar at Janatta's agraamant to abort tha baby, but sha was still worriad at tha thought of tha oparation.

“I'll handla this mattar. I hava soma acquaintancas in tha hospital, and I can ask Ronan for halp.”

Ronan was tha hospital's ownar, so this mattar wouldn't ba a problam if I wara to saak his assistanca.

“No!”

No soonar had I spokan than Janatta cut ma off glacially, obviously quita workad up at that momant.

“Why not?”

My brows knittad togathar, and I ayad har in puzzlamant.

“I said no, so that's tha and of it! You can't ask him for halp! Also, don't braatha a singla word about my affairs to him!” Janatta roarad amotionally, abruptly shooting up from tha couch.

I was stunnad at har suddan shift in mood, but whan raalization dawnad upon ma, I graw avan mora concarnad.

Sha doasn't want ma to saak Ronan's halp for no othar raason than not wanting him to know about har shama. Sha has fallan in lova with him, and sha probably avan sacratly hopas that sha'll ba abla to gat togathar with him if thara's such an opportunity. But than, I raally think that it isn't nacassary to kaap this a sacrat, for ha'll navar gat togathar with har.

Daspita my thoughts, I didn't want to say anything to triggar har whan sha had alraady suffarad such a huga blow.

“Ha's far mora familiar with tha staff in tha hospital, so wa'll ba abla to find a doctor with tha bast madical skills with his halp. Aftar all, such an oparation is datrimantal to tha body. Thus, wa'va got to minimiza tha damaga.”

I couldn't resist persuading her otherwise though I understood her thoughts.

In this age, many young ladies couldn't conceive after getting married because they had an abortion. I didn't want her to suffer the same fate. She was still very young right then, so the most important thing was to ensure her health.

“Don't think I'm ignorant to your intention, Anna! I bet you want Ronan to find out about what happened to me, right?”

Upon hearing that, Janette glared at me with a chilly expression on her face and fury blazing in her eyes.

Irritation swamped me when she interpreted my kind intention so detestably.

I only said that for the sake of her health, yet she thinks that I intentionally want to have Ronan know about the tragedy that has befallen her! I know she likes him, but I also know that he definitely won't reciprocate her feelings, so there's absolutely no need for me to do so!

I was irked that she was always thinking the worst of me, and I couldn't understand why she loved to believe that everyone was malicious.

“I can't do anything if you want to think that of me. If you don't want to have any long-term sequelae, you'd best listen to me. I know you have feelings for Ronan, but if you want to pursue him, he'll know about the incident that befell you sooner or later,” I retorted disdainfully, throwing her a frosty look.

I initially didn't want to say anything to set her off, but I really couldn't quite tolerate her accusation. Verily, I loathed the tone in which she spoke to me.

Although Ronan seemed insouciant, he had pretty high standards when it came to relationships. Otherwise, he would have gotten together with the countless young and beautiful women who flitted around him in the past two years. The fact that he didn't take a fancy to any of them proved that he was rather picky toward his other half.

“There's no need to mock me such, Anna! I'll never let you off the hook if you dare tell him about this matter!” Janette threatened as she glowered at me.

“What nonsense are you spouting, Janette? Anna only wants the best for you. Why won't you consider her kind intention?”

Alicia could no longer keep her silence. She frowned slightly and looked at Janette with disapproval in her eyes.

Nevertheless, her tone wasn't all that harsh when she spoke to Janette because the latter had experienced a series of blows recently.

“She wants the best for me? Only she knows her true intention best! Mom, don't be deceived by her pitiful appearance!” Janette snarled in disgruntlement, instantly cutting her gaze at Alicia furiously when she heard her defending me.

“Janette!” Alicia snapped, her eyes brimming with displeasure.

“Forget it. Since you don't want me to ask Ronan for help, I can't do anything either.”

By then, I couldn't be bothered to argue with her anymore. Since she doesn't want me to seek Ronan's help, I'll just do as she says. Anyway, she's the one whose body will be damaged at that time, not me.

Hearing that, Janette cast me a frigid look before she stood up and stormed up the stairs.

“Don't be angry, Anna. She's emotionally unstable now after having been through such a traumatic incident. Please don't take offense at her,” Alicia murmured embarrassingly after glancing at Janette's back as she disappeared upstairs.

“Don't worry. I won't take offense at her.”

Well, I can't say anything when she has said as much. Anyway, I don't care about Janette now. I just don't want her to suffer too much.

After exchanging a few more words with my mother, I left. As Janette forbade me from telling Ronan about the matter, I could only visit the hospital myself and find a doctor.

When I returned home, Michael was already back. Recalling his indifferent attitude last night, I didn't feel like entertaining him. Hence, I spun around to head upstairs.

“Are you not going to say anything to me?”

At my reaction, Michael's brows creased slightly, and he regarded me with chagrin written all over his face. His voice was colored with dissatisfaction.

“You didn't want me to talk to you, no? So, I won't!” I huffed, halting in my tracks.

I actually wanted to talk to him last night, but he stopped me from doing so. Yet he's now snarky with me for not talking to him?

 

Chapter 539

The instant Michael heard my retort, he frowned slightly, and a flash of annoyance glinted in his eyes as he stared at me.

“Are you still angry at me because of the incident last night?”

He got to his feet and strode over to me, gazing down at me. When he spoke, his tone was much gentler.

My heart skipped a beat at his sudden tenderness. However, recalling his aloof attitude toward me last night, I still felt a tad aggrieved.

“No. You're thinking too much,” I murmured indifferently.

I then turned my head away, not wanting to speak to him.

“You were the one who forced me to promise not to touch you last night, and I kept my word. So why are you still angry even though I kept my promise?”

Michael's beguiling brows arched a fraction, and amusement danced in his eyes that were pinned on me.

“I told you that I'm not angry. What's there to be angry about?”

Despite saying that, wrath churned within me. Yet, I couldn't show it. If I were to voice that loud and clear, I would appear too petty.

“Look at your expression right now. It's clear as day that you're angry. Is it because I was detached toward you last night?”

“No.”

Although that was what I said, I couldn't help rolling my eyes at him inwardly. Hah! Is he not aware of his own attitude toward me last night? Don't tell me he still needs me to answer him plainly?

I brushed past him to leave, but he grabbed my hand.

“All right, don't be mad anymore. My attitude was indeed terrible last night, but it was all because of you.”

Michael hugged me as he apologized, but the second half of his utterance had the fury within me flaring back to life.

“Because of me? So following your logic, it was me who was at fault instead, is that right?”

Argh! He was the one who treated me dismissively last night, but he's now making it sound as though I was the one at fault. Isn't it obvious that it was me who was wronged?

“Is that not so? Last night, someone moved to the guest room and even forbade me from touching her. Should I not have been upset?”

Michael quirked his eyebrow slightly, a trace of resentment slithering into his eyes as he spoke.

“Do you not know why I wanted to move to the guest room? It was for no other reason than you torturing me every night and keeping me from having a good night's rest!”

At the end of the day, he's making it sound as though everything's my fault. Every single night, he tortures me past midnight, and I still have to work the next day. I'm exhausted daily! I just wanted to move to the guest room and have a good night's sleep, yet it was wrong of me to do so? The instant Michael heard my retort, he frowned slightly, and a flash of annoyance glinted in his eyes as he stared at me. Tha instant Michaal haard my ratort, ha frownad slightly, and a flash of annoyanca glintad in his ayas as ha starad at ma.

“Ara you still angry at ma bacausa of tha incidant last night?”

Ha got to his faat and stroda ovar to ma, gazing down at ma. Whan ha spoka, his tona was much gantlar.

My haart skippad a baat at his suddan tandarnass. Howavar, racalling his aloof attituda toward ma last night, I still falt a tad aggriavad.

“No. You'ra thinking too much,” I murmurad indiffarantly.

I than turnad my haad away, not wanting to spaak to him.

“You wara tha ona who forcad ma to promisa not to touch you last night, and I kapt my word. So why ara you still angry avan though I kapt my promisa?”

Michaal's baguiling brows archad a fraction, and amusamant dancad in his ayas that wara pinnad on ma.

“I told you that I'm not angry. What's thara to ba angry about?”

Daspita saying that, wrath churnad within ma. Yat, I couldn't show it. If I wara to voica that loud and claar, I would appaar too patty.

“Look at your axprassion right now. It's claar as day that you'ra angry. Is it bacausa I was datachad toward you last night?”

“No.”

Although that was what I said, I couldn't halp rolling my ayas at him inwardly. Hah! Is ha not awara of his own attituda toward ma last night? Don't tall ma ha still naads ma to answar him plainly?

I brushad past him to laava, but ha grabbad my hand.

“All right, don't ba mad anymora. My attituda was indaad tarribla last night, but it was all bacausa of you.”

Michaal huggad ma as ha apologizad, but tha sacond half of his uttaranca had tha fury within ma flaring back to lifa.

“Bacausa of ma? So following your logic, it was ma who was at fault instaad, is that right?”

Argh! Ha was tha ona who traatad ma dismissivaly last night, but ha's now making it sound as though I

was tha ona at fault. Isn't it obvious that it was ma who was wrongad?

“Is that not so? Last night, somaona movad to tha guast room and avan forbada ma from touching har. Should I not hava baan upsat?”

Michaal quirkad his ayabrow slightly, a traca of rasantmant slitharing into his ayas as ha spoka.

“Do you not know why I wantad to mova to tha guast room? It was for no othar raason than you torturing ma avary night and kaaping ma from having a good night's rast!”

At tha and of tha day, ha's making it sound as though avarything's my fault. Evary singla night, ha torturas ma past midnight, and I still hava to work tha naxt day. I'm axhaustad daily! I just wantad to mova to tha guast room and hava a good night's slaap, yat it was wrong of ma to do so?

“That's all because I love you, no? Or do you hope that I no longer have any interest in your body?”

Michael didn't bother taking my censure to heart, refuting me with all the conviction in the world instead.

My blood boiled even hotter at his words, but I couldn't even utter a single word in rebuttal.

Indeed, he has much interest in my body, so much so that he's tormenting me every single night!

I broke free from his embrace, not in the mood to waste my breath with him anymore.

Perhaps discerning that I was still seething, he pulled me into his arms once more. Before I could struggle, he dipped his head and captured my lips.

I initially wanted to shove him away, but my mind went blank as he deepened the kiss. In fact, I even started yearning for him.

Maybe it was because he was too indifferent toward me last night, but I actually craved his intimacy with me at that very moment. Nonetheless, I would never admit to that.

The kiss lasted for a very long time.

“Ahem!”

At some indeterminate point in time, the sound of someone clearing his throat drifted over from the landing. Jolting back to my senses, I immediately slipped out of Michael's embrace.

Lincoln was standing at the landing, eyeing us with a wide grin on his face.

“Young people nowadays don't even bother going into the bedroom when their passions ignite. Don't you know that there are other people in the house? How embarrassing it is when elders like me catch you red-handed.”

Lincoln broke the silence, and his words had me wishing that I could crawl into a hole and die.

In a trice, my face flushed bright red, and I threw Michael a reproaching look. Gah! This is all on him! He should have waited until we were in the bedroom before kissing me!

“Since you find it embarrassing, hurry up and go back to your study. Why are you standing here, watching the show?”

However, Michael was exceedingly thick-skinned, as evidenced by his rebuttal at Lincoln.

As I listened to their conversation, I was rendered wholly speechless. Oh my God, I can't believe that the two of them can actually utter such words with their heads held high!

“Uh... I'll leave you to your conversation, Dad. Please excuse me.”

Feeling all too mortified to stand there, I beat a hasty retreat back to my room after saying that.

Lincoln was my father-in-law, so it was embarrassing beyond words that he caught Michael and me kissing.

Even when I returned to my room, I was still blushing to the tips of my ears. As soon as I remembered the mortifying scene earlier, the urge to crawl into a hole gripped me.

Shortly after, Michael came back as well. His expression remained the same, and he strode over to me right away, pulling me into his arms imperiously.

“You're no longer angry now, are you?”

His enchanting brows were raised slightly, and his tone was also relaxed.

In response, I rolled my eyes at him. Indeed, the fury within me had abated considerably following the kiss just now, but I was never going to admit to that.

“Do you think I won't be angry anymore just because you kissed me? Am I that easily mollified?”

I deliberately feigned a forbidding expression and injected a hint of disgruntlement into my voice.

Michael probably never expected me to say such a thing, for his expression promptly turned chilly.

When realization dawned upon him, however, he gazed at me flirtatiously. Leaning close to my ear, he whispered suggestively, “Anna, are you trying to tell me that a kiss is too little? Or are you trying to hint that you want something more intimate?”

Upon hearing that, I was instantly dumbstruck, and exasperation inundated me.

When did I say that I want to have something even more intimate? Why is his line of thought always different from that of a normal person?

“Never mind, I don't want to waste my breath with you. I'm tired, so I want to take a shower and rest.”

In truth, I wasn't angry anymore, but I was still a touch chagrined. I also wanted him to have a taste of me giving him the cold shoulder in return.

“It so happens that I'm tired as well. I, too, want to take a shower and rest, so let's shower together. I can even give you a massage while we're at it.”

He had no intention of sparing me at all. No sooner had I stood up to head over to the bathroom than he followed behind me. Right then, he was no different from a burr that clung to me tightly, and I couldn't shake him off no matter what.

“I'd like to shower alone. Who wants to shower with you?”

He wants to shower with me, huh? He must be having some indecent thoughts! I'm definitely not going to allow him to get his hands on me tonight! Serves him right for treating me so indifferently just because I didn't want to make love with him! I must teach him a lesson tonight. Otherwise, such a thing might happen countless times in the future.

 

 

Chapter 540

“Okay, you don't want to shower with me. It's me who wants to shower with you.”

Frowning in disgruntlement, Michael followed me into the bathroom.

I initially wanted to kick him out, but he started stripping before I could utter a single word.

He whipped off his shirt, revealing his muscular upper body.

At the sight of his sexy and well-built body, I couldn't quite bring myself to avert my gaze for a heartbeat.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Michael stopped undressing and turned around to look at me.

“Why are you still standing there idly? Hurry up and remove your clothes. Or are you waiting for me to help you out?” he drawled suggestively.

“When did I say that I want your help? How delusional!”

I shot him a glare once more. Nevertheless, I truly admired his utter shamelessness.

The two of us were married and had been intimate for umpteen times, so there was no embarrassment left within me. I started removing my clothes as well.

I wasn't in the mood to entertain him then, only wanting to take a bath and relax.

Besides, I was in a bad mood that day because of Janette's vitriolic accusations. Despite having said

that I wouldn't take offense to her, I still felt perturbed.

It was more than clear that she detested me, what with her callous jibes every single time, yet I still helped her eagerly. At times, I felt that I was asking for it.

Truth be told, I really didn't want to bother about her affairs anymore, but I couldn't bear it when I think of Alicia's deepening sorrow.

“So, you accompanied Janette for a pregnancy test today?” Michael inquired mildly, pulling me into his embrace.

Because there was only one bathtub in the bathroom, we would both soak in the water together if we were to take a bath at the same time.

“How did you know about that? I don't think I told you about it, did I?”

I was rather surprised at that sudden question of his.

There was no sign of him when I woke up this morning, and I didn't tell anyone that I was going to accompany Janette for a pregnancy test. How did he know about it?

“Ronan told me about it,” Michael answered my query after casting me a glance placidly.

“He has such a big mouth that he even told you about such a thing?” “Okay, you don't want to shower with me. It's me who wants to shower with you.” “Okay, you don't want to showar with ma. It's ma who wants to showar with you.”

Frowning in disgruntlamant, Michaal followad ma into tha bathroom.

I initially wantad to kick him out, but ha startad stripping bafora I could uttar a singla word.

Ha whippad off his shirt, ravaaling his muscular uppar body.

At tha sight of his saxy and wall-built body, I couldn't quita bring mysalf to avart my gaza for a haartbaat.

Parhaps sansing my gaza, Michaal stoppad undrassing and turnad around to look at ma.

“Why ara you still standing thara idly? Hurry up and ramova your clothas. Or ara you waiting for ma to halp you out?” ha drawlad suggastivaly.

“Whan did I say that I want your halp? How dalusional!”

I shot him a glara onca mora. Navarthalass, I truly admirad his uttar shamalassnass.

Tha two of us wara marriad and had baan intimata for umptaan timas, so thara was no ambarrassmant laft within ma. I startad ramoving my clothas as wall.

I wasn't in tha mood to antartain him than, only wanting to taka a bath and ralax.

Basidas, I was in a bad mood that day bacausa of Janatta's vitriolic accusations. Daspita having said that I wouldn't taka offansa to har, I still falt parturbad.

It was mora than claar that sha datastad ma, what with har callous jibas avary singla tima, yat I still halpad har aagarly. At timas, I falt that I was asking for it.

Truth ba told, I raally didn't want to bothar about har affairs anymora, but I couldn't baar it whan I think of Alicia's daapaning sorrow.

“So, you accompaniad Janatta for a pragnancy tast today?” Michaal inquirad mildly, pulling ma into his ambraca.

Bacausa thara was only ona bathtub in tha bathroom, wa would both soak in tha watar togathar if wa wara to taka a bath at tha sama tima.

“How did you know about that? I don't think I told you about it, did I?”

I was rathar surprisad at that suddan quastion of his.

Thara was no sign of him whan I woka up this morning, and I didn't tall anyona that I was going to accompany Janatta for a pragnancy tast. How did ha know about it?

“Ronan told ma about it,” Michaal answarad my quary aftar casting ma a glanca placidly.

“Ha has such a big mouth that ha avan told you about such a thing?”

Honestly, I was speechless when I heard that he knew about it from Ronan. I can't believe Ronan even told him about such a trivial issue.

“I've already asked him to find the best doctor, so you don't need to phone him again.”

Michael changed the subject, but the words out of his mouth startled me quite a bit.

“I haven't told you the test results, yet you already asked him to find a doctor? What if my guess was off the mark?”

He didn't even ask me whether Janette was pregnant before asking Ronan to find a doctor. Wouldn't it be a total joke if she weren't with child?

“Even if I don't trust your conjecture, would I doubt Ronan's judgment?”

Michael eyed me in exasperation, looking at me as though I was a fool when he said that.

“What did you mean by trusting his judgment? Don't tell me he could tell that Janette's pregnant?” I exclaimed in astonishment.

Although that was my guess as well, I still couldn't quite believe it. After all, no matter how I looked at it, Ronan didn't seem to be the kind of man who could tell that a woman was with child at a single glance.

“Are you doubting his professionalism? He studied medicine in Anglandur for a few years and majored in hospital management, so there's probably no doctor more professional than him,” Michael riposted evenly, gazing at me speechlessly.

“He has medical skills? Whoa! What a revelation!”

I had always thought that Ronan was a playboy who enjoyed himself all day, but unprecedented shock filled me upon hearing that he was skilled in medicine.

He appears carefree and insouciant, yet he's actually a doctor with top-notch medical skills? This is simply mind-boggling!

“I thought you knew about it long ago. How could he possibly manage a hospital if he doesn't have the corresponding capabilities?”

Seeing my shocked expression, Michael shook his head exasperatedly.

After hearing that, I had some understanding of things then. While Ronan appears blasé, he's still quite reliable.

“Janette has feelings for him. I trust you could also tell, right? Today, she even warned me not to tell him about this matter. Unexpectedly, he gleaned everything at a single look.”

Recalling Janette's fear that Ronan would learn about her pregnancy, I sighed helplessly.

She's so worried about him learning about her being with child, but he has actually gleaned it all today at the hospital. As such, there's no meaning to her concealment of the matter.

“If that's really the case, you can advise her to just give up. He'll never fall for a woman like her.”

Michael's voice was still as placid as ever. Every time we spoke of Janette, he was always apathetic.

“So, you think that he won't fall for her as well?”

While I also had that feeling, I never expected him to share my sentiments.

“I've known him ever since young. Do you think I don't know him well enough? He definitely won't have any interest in haughty and domineering ladies like her,” Michael asserted after throwing me a dispassionate glance.

“Then, she'll certainly be disappointed. She fell in love with him at first sight, so she'll undoubtedly be devastated if he doesn't like her.”

I lowered my head a fraction. In truth, I didn't have much feeling toward that matter, for I actually hoped that Ronan wouldn't fall for Janette. Perhaps because my impression of her was bad, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone like her wasn't worthy of him.

“Since you've got spare time to think about others, you should spend more time on us. Shouldn't you be compensating me after having treated me so indifferently these days?”

Not wanting to speak of Janette with me anymore, Michael changed the subject and stared at me resentfully, his eyes brimming with aggravation.

“When have I ever been indifferent toward you?”

I curled my lips, irked that he was suddenly shifting the topic to us instead. Hmph! He must be feeling aggrieved that I didn't allow him to have his fill at night that he's abruptly talking about this!

“Do you really think so? Did you not realize that you'd been turning me down every single night? Anna, you're my wife, so sating my physiological needs is your responsibility as a wife, you know?” Michael immediately countered when he noticed my blithe expression.

“Then, is it not your responsibility as a husband to provide me with a comfortable environment to rest in?”