Chapter 9 Women All Rely on Men
Cecilia looked at Jasmin, who always reprimanded her.
She asked, “What if it has something to do with Kolton?”
“Don’t act like a baby,” Jasmin stood up and lectured.
“I’ve told you many times. Working outside is tough for men. You gotta be considerate and understanding. Don’t have a tantrum at will.”
Over the past two years, Cecilia had complained about how indifferent and cold Kolton was to her.
But Jasmin always responded to Cecilia with similar words:
It was her love at first sight and the growing affection for Kolton that got her through the two years.
She was wondering whether she would become just like Jasmin under Jasmin’s influence by osmosis if Kolton didn’t cheat on her.
Jasmin was nearing 50 years old, but she seemed like in her 30s.
She looked young with an hourglass figure, much envied by many rich ladies.
However, back in the Bradshaw family, Jasmin was the one with the least say, who always danced to other people’s tunes.
Cecilia didn’t envy her at all.
“Go home and apologize to Kolton. Don’t make him mad again.”
Jasmin sat down and noticed the melancholy in Cecilia’s eyes. She had
00:40
mixed feelings of disappointment and regret.
After all, as Cecilia’s mother, Jasmin still cared about her. Jasmin said, “Women all have to rely on men. Isn’t it Kolton who guarantees you a
well–off life…”
Jasmin’s words reminded Cecilia of Kolton’s disdainful eyes.
“You have a monthly allowance of 85,000 dollars. All you need to do is to tend the flowers and sleep with me. Aren’t I nice enough to you?”
Every time she thought of that, she’d feel a sharp pain in her heart uncontrollably.
She could be a housewife for Kolton and bear with his condescending attitude, but she couldn’t continue being his wife while knowing that he
didn’t love her!
Cecilia pursed her lips and pinched the hem of her shirt. Her eyes became firmer.
“Mom, do you think so little of women?” Quincy’s voice came from upstairs. He rolled up his sleeves and went downstairs. “Aren’t men and women equal now?”
Jasmin softened her voice and said to Quincy, “Brat, it’s none of your
concern.”
Quincy was two years younger than Cecilia. He was the apple of the Bradshaws‘ eyes.
Jasmin had told Cecilia many times that the Bradshaws were all upset about her birth.
So, Jasmin was so freaked out that she didn’t breastfeed Cecilia and got prepared for pregnancy again.
Luckily, Jasmin gave birth to Quincy one and a half years later. It was
18.95
00:40
128 NONCHARS
then that Jasmin secured her position in the family.
Cecilia felt sorry for Jasmin but judging from Jasmin’s tone and expression, Jasmin wasn’t sad at all.
Instead, Jasmin was actually happy that she could continue the bloodline for the Bradshaws.
Cecilia and Jasmin were fundamentally incompatible. Even if she pointed out that Kolton had an affair with another woman, Jasmin wouldn’t take her side.
“Why did Dad ask me to come back home?” Cecilia didn’t feel like staying there anymore.
Cecilia would probably tell them that she wanted to divorce Kolton when Jasmin said more.
“He’s brought some gifts from his business trip abroad. Aren’t you going back to the Thompsons‘ house? Take some to them.”
Jasmin figured Cecilia intended to leave. So, she held Cecilia’s hand and continued saying, “You’ve been married for two years, but still not pregnant. Your dad wants me to take you to see a doctor.”
Garrett had seen the news that Kolton celebrated Iris’s birthday in public.
He was a bit anxious that Cecilia’s position might be shaken.
When it came to pregnancy, Cecilia felt as if her heart had been ripped
open.
Kolton gave her a bottle of birth control pills. He’d watch her take the pills every time they had sex.
According to him, he was busy with work for now and didn’t want the baby to distract him. He planned to have a baby a few years later.
00:40
28
Now as it appeared, Cecilia felt it was great that she didn’t have a baby yet. She’d have nothing to hold onto if she got a divorce.
“I’ll think about that.”
Cecilia stood up and urged Jasmin to bring her the gifts.
Jasmin went to take the things while mumbling.
“You’d better put more thought into that. Kolton is such an excellent man. There must be a lot of women coveting him. You should have a baby to secure your position and ask him to make your marriage public. Only in this way can you perish other women’s thoughts!”
As Cecilia gave her no response, Jasmin put the things aside. “I’ll find you a reliable doctor. You gotta go and have a body check!”
“Let’s talk about it when I’m free,” Cecilia tried to brush her off.
But Jasmin wouldn’t give Cecilia the things unless Cecilia agreed.
So, Cecilia had to agree, “You can make an appointment first. Gotta go.”
Quincy made up an excuse and went out of the apartment with Cecilia.
“Cecilia, you didn’t drive your car here.” Quincy’s car was a black sports
car.
Cecilia usually parked her car by Quincy’s when she came back home. But now only Quincy’s car was there.
She got into the car and sat in the front passenger’s seat. “No. Where are you heading? Drop me off at a bus stop.”
Quincy also got in the car and started the engine. He scrutinized Cecilia out of the corner of his eyes.
His car ran out of the Bradshaw’s apartment and hit the road.
0040
“Cecilia, is there anything wrong?”
“Why ask?” Cecilia asked casually. “What could possibly go wrong?”
Quincy seemed unconcerned but quite astute. “You’d refute Mom first and be convinced by her, but today you just avoided her words. I know you well. If you try to avoid something, something must be going on.”
Cecilia never knew that about herself.
Suddenly, she kind of regretted getting into Quincy’s car.
There were only two of them in the car. She felt lots of pressure.
Now that her thoughts had been laid bare, she didn’t know how to answer him.
“Back then, you got into a top design company after graduation. I was overjoyed for you, but later, you chose to get married and be a housewife. You never talk about it but I can tell you’re a lot less happy.”
Quincy scratched his head and continued, “I don’t know how to comfort you. Nor do I know what on earth has happened to you. I’m telling you this because I want you to know there are a lot of things to do except for marriage.”
Cecilia understood what he meant.
Now all her energy was focused on Kolton. So, her bad mood must have something to do with him.
Quincy hoped that she could stop dwelling on Kolton.
“Quincy, that sounds quite philosophical. Have you thought about what to do next?”
Cecilia changed the topic.
00 401
288 Vineber
“Dad wants me to join his company, but I have no interest in that. A few friends of mine and I are working on a game. Don’t think it’s just for fun. Now the game industry is quite a hit. When I make a name for myself, I’ll back you up so that you won’t have to bear with Kolton’s bad temper anymore. You don’t need to give up your dream just because he asked you to stay at home and be a housewife…”
Quincy’s eyes gleamed just as brightly as Cecilia’s when she just got the job offer.
The Bradshaws showed more favor to boys. So, Cecilia had been badly treated since she was born.
But she and Quincy were quite close. Garrett always bought Quincy’s favorite dessert when he came back home.
Quincy didn’t know what that meant at first. Later, when he figured it out, he’d secretly ask Cecilia what she wanted to eat and then ask Garrett for that.
So, Cecilia would talk about everything with Quincy, including her dream to become a famous designer.
The negative emotions caused by Jasmin were swept away by Quincy’s words. Cecilia gradually cheered up.
She was dropped off near Veronica’s apartment. Having watched Quincy’s car run away, she headed toward Veronica’s apartment.
As soon as she arrived at the apartment building, her phone rang. It was from the Thompson’s house.
“Mrs. Thompson, bad news. The house is on fire. Madam Thompson…” A maid of the Thompsons‘ said anxiously.
Cecilia clenched her hands and asked, “What happened? I thought she had gone to the mountain.
10%
00:40
“No more asking. Just contact Mr. Thompson and tell him to come back right now!”
By Madam Thompson, the maid meant Kolton’s grandmother, Kianna Thompson.
Cecilia hung up the phone. While trying to hail a taxi, she dialed Kolton’s number.
