CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6

I had raised my head to say something, but Jack grasped my hand and smiled. "Grandma, we're trying our best!"

I tried to pull away my hand, but it was too tight on me.

If he did not want to leave me alone, then I was not going to make it easy for him too. I glanced at Marie. "Grandma, I am on the lookout for a job right now, so children might have to wait."

The room fell silent.

Jack's grip around my hand increased in pain, and I winced.

Lyon glanced at Jack's hand around me, noticing the prominent veins, then away with unconcern.

Anne Monroe, Jack's aunt, sneered. "Sofia, don't accuse me of being candid. You've been married years. How come you don't have a baby yet? If it wasn't for Jack being adamant about marrying you, would your family have ever married into the Monroes?

"You should be grateful. If you do not want Jack's baby, there are other women who would. If it is done by someone else, you will be the fool."

Also, Anne thought, "Who is to say whether Sofia is fertile or not?"

She spoke like she was being helpful, but her glance at me was permeated with a sense of superiority.

Marie frowned at Anne, disapprovingly. "Anne, stop."

Anne clamped her lips shut but did not speak.

Marie smiled at me warmly. "Sofia, you and Jack are young. If you don't want children yet, that's fine. Just don't work too hard. Our family is not poor. You can work if you want to, but don't overwork yourself."

I nodded. "I understand, Grandma."

And with that, the awkward moment was past, and the room was warm again.

Seeing the spotlight dwindle, Jack pulled me out of the living room. By the time we reached the gazebo in the back, he released me. "Sofia, lost your mind or what? Want everyone to know you guys had a fight?"

I massaged my aching hand and said, "I was just telling the truth."

"Honest?" Jack scowled. "Should I call your dad then?"

Harrison Lanka was ill and could not handle stress. I was divorcing Jack before I gave him the news in a gentle manner.

I narrowed my eyes at Jack. "You wouldn't dare!" I exclaimed. "You were the one who cheated. What right do you have to be so self-righteous?"

Jack clenched his fists, a momentary look of guilt on his face before it was replaced by impatience. "I swore it would not happen again. If you do not want to speak to Pete, I will fire her. What else do you want?" I felt as though there was a communication breakdown between us and turned away. "I do not want to fight with you here."

When Jack saw my red-rimmed eyes, he relaxed. "Sofia, I swear I know I did something wrong. Just don't mention divorce, and I'll do anything to make it right. I love you. I can't lose you."

It was ridiculous. How could he claim to love me when he was with another woman? Just the thought of him and her filled me with nausea.

"I will never forgive you."

Betrayal was my bottom line. I couldn't just pretend as if nothing had occurred or reconcile with him.

Jack knew me well enough to know that he had to wait patiently. He believed that I still cared for him. Otherwise, I would have made a scene when I found out. As long as he didn't divorce me, I would end up forgiving him.

"Okay, we don't talk about it now. If you don't want children yet, we'll wait two years from now. Because you want to work, I'll tell my secretary to get you working at the Monroe Group."

I laughed at his scheme, a contemptuous sheen in my eyes. "Jack, do you treat me like a puppet for you to pull strings on?"

Hurt by my expression, Jack frowned. "How am I dominating you? You don't want children anymore, so I agreed to wait for two years. You wish to earn your keep, so I'll provide. What more do you need?"

"End the games. I don't want children because I want to divorce you. I want to work to get away from you."

Jack glared at my stubborn face, angry. From the day we were married, I had been a canary in his cage. He could not let me go.

"As long as I don't agree, this marriage will never end. Even if you tell a lawyer that I cheated, do you have proof?"

Jack's commanding voice and overbearing attitude repelled me, quivering with fury. I at last understood how selfish and revolting he was. I had wasted eight years of the best years of my life, from 18 to 26—loving this man.

"You make me sick, Jack!"

Seeing the naked distaste in my eyes, Jack grasped my chin to force me to look at him. "Sofia, I know you're angry, but I don't want to hear you say those words again."

His Sofia should love him forever. He couldn't stand for me to look at him with so much contempt.

I slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me! You're dirty."

"Filthy?" Jack sneered, advancing and shoving me against the pillar of the gazebo, kissing me fiercely. I would have to desist from talking if I did not wish him to shut me up in another way. I attempted to move away. Jack's warm lips traced a path on my cheek, and I trembled at the touch. "Let go of me, Jack!"

"Alright, as long as you never say anything that hurts me."

"Never!"

"Then, I'll shut you up my way."

He grasped my chin, kissing me firmly. Just as his lips were about to meet mine, a soft cough echoed behind us.

"Jack, am I interrupting something?"