The Housewife's Return To Her Alluring Prime - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Jared's gift today was quite unique. Stunned, I felt his lips igniting a fire on mine. When the night breeze swept in from the doorway, I felt a chill and pushed him away. "Let's go upstairs."
His eyes were unreadable. He gave a rough grunt in response and stood up.
I glanced at the gleaming box of gold bars, closed it, and carried it upstairs.
Jared seemed at a loss for words.
Once upstairs, I placed the box on the nightstand and opened it to admire the gold.
Jared entered the room after me, seemingly having lost interest. Seeing me staring at the gold, he leaned against the door and asked, "Do you like it that much? Still looking at it?"
I smiled at him. "Not just like; I love it."
Jared thought I was being completely unreasonable, but the fire within him reignited. He walked over, cupped my face, and kissed me deeply and intensely.
Fulfilling my marital duties wasn't something I found burdensome. Jared had a good physique, decent stamina, and his performance could earn a good eighty percent. As a woman, I felt perfectly entitled to enjoy the pleasure he brought.
"Focus..." Jared noticed that I occasionally glanced at the gold beside the bed, and his grip on my face tightened.
After one climax, my interest waned, but Jared continued determinedly.
He manipulated me as he noticed my lack of enthusiasm, feeling utterly humiliated. He redoubled his efforts, and despite my disinterest, he managed to bring me to climax twice more.
Finally, Jared kissed me forcefully and held me close.
"I'm tired. I want to sleep," I said lazily.
"Done already? The night is still young." He suddenly pressed against me from behind.
After some time, Jared sat on the edge of the bed, his expression unreadable. He stared at me and asked, "You seemed distracted earlier. What were you thinking about?"
I shook my head. "Nothing, just wondering why you gave me gold."
"You like it, don't you? I'm just catering to your preferences," he replied sarcastically.
"Yes, I do like it. But I've had many things I liked before, and you didn't always remember them." I turned to study his face. His cheeks were slightly flushed, making him look healthy and youthful.
Jared looked at me quizzically. "You're my wife."
That statement made me want to laugh. 'So he does remember,' I thought. "Actually, as a husband, you'd only score sixty points." Maybe it was the post-coital relaxation making me bold.
Jared seemed surprised. "Only sixty? I put in quite an effort just now, for more than sixty minutes."
Leaning back in bed, I stretched my arms and spoke calmly. "The truth is, you don't really love me, do you?"
Jared remained silent for a while before responding, "I don't love anyone that much. Don't start losing it again."
I suddenly lost interest in continuing the conversation. Deep down, I knew pressing further would only lead to more discomfort.
Jared reached over and gently stroked my thick hair. "Victoria, let's have another child."
"No way!" I practically jumped up, ignoring the sheet sliding off me. My expression was composed as I responded, "Right now, I just want to focus on my career. I don't want to have another child."
Jared's gaze shifted from my body to my face with difficulty. Seeing my firm stance, his face darkened. "You really don't want to give me a son?"
"No," I said as I got out of bed and put on a nightgown.
Jared, equally infuriated, got out of bed and circled around to grab my arm. "What's your problem now? If you give me a son, I'll reward you handsomely. The amount will be significant, not less."
It seemed he had noticed my recent obsession with money and decided to use it as a bargaining chip. However, I knew the weight of responsibility that came with money. A woman's greatest self-discipline is not having children recklessly.
I was planning on divorcing him. If I had another son, my life would mirror my previous one. I couldn't guarantee another chance to start over. No one could bind my freedom in this lifetime. Love was no longer a mandatory course in my life.
"I don't want it," I said firmly, enunciating each word.
Jared's anger intensified. He clearly saw allowing me to have another child as a gift and a safeguard for me.
Having a son to secure a mother's status and share his wealth—this was his belief. But true happiness came from a mother being esteemed herself, not through her child. A cherished mother was the essence of a joyous state.
"Victoria, you're not the only woman in the world who can give me a son. Think carefully," Jared said angrily, trying to intimidate me.
I wasn't intimidated. I smiled charmingly and provocatively said, "Fine, then let another woman have your child.
"As long as she can bear him, I'll even take care of her postpartum. Is that good enough?" With that, I shook off his hand and walked into the bathroom.
I heard Jared's heavy breathing and thought, 'He must be furious with my words and actions.'
I used to be so obedient, so submissive, like a small cat without a temper. He was my world; whatever he said, I followed without my own thoughts or questioning.
But now I was like a rebellious teenager, a wildcat defying him at every turn. He couldn't control me anymore.
When I came back out, Jared had already left, and I put the box of gold bars into my safe.
Thinking Jared probably snuck out in the middle of the night again, I was surprised to see him in the hallway in the morning.
He was dressed impeccably, with his hair slicked back and wearing a dark suit. I had no idea what he was up to.
When he saw me, his expression was stern. He turned and headed downstairs.
Hearing his car pull away, I slowly made my way downstairs to make breakfast for myself. Wendy's cooking skills were impeccable, and her absence made me miss her meals.
At noon, Melissa invited me to lunch. When I arrived, I realized she had chosen quite a pricey restaurant.
"Ms. Jenkins, did you get promoted?" I asked with a friendly smile as I sat down.
Melissa, however, wore a troubled expression. "No, I actually wanted to ask you for a loan."
I laughed and asked, "How much?"
"30 thousand." Melissa knew that amount was small change for me. She sincerely placed a loan agreement on the table. "I want to buy a small house. Once I have a baby, my mom might come to stay to help."
I was taken aback. "What about Zachary's parents?"
Melissa gave a wry smile. "They're helping his brother with two kids, and his sister is pregnant too. They have no time. I asked my mom; she said she'd come if there's a place to stay."
"You're pregnant now?" I asked, shocked.
Melissa lowered her head, blushing slightly. "No. Zachary and I plan to visit our families soon and have a wedding. We want to buy the house first so we can start renovations. It's all step by step."
I nodded. "Don't worry. I'll transfer the money this afternoon. If you need more, let me know."
"No, no, that's enough," Melissa insisted. She wasn't one to take advantage, and I felt comfortable lending her money.
We were seated on the second floor of the restaurant, near a window overlooking the lobby below.
Suddenly, I saw Jared and Tracy appear downstairs. My face stiffened as they headed toward a private room door. Before entering, Tracy reached out to straighten Jared's shoulder where it seemed slightly wrinkled.