Chapter 23
chapter23
Mia, why aren’t you answering? Say something.”
Mia cast a frantic, awkward glance at Timothy before muttering, “W-what am I supposed to say? You should ask Timothy about that.”
Inside, she was fuming. Why were they putting this all on her? Aside from that one night, Timothy had never touched her in three years. Did they expect her to conjure a child out of thin air?
Timothy cleared his throat, his expression unreadable. “Why are you bringing this up, Mom? We’ve been using contraception. That’s why there’s no news. Besides, I don’t plan on having kids yet.”
Hearing his last sentence, Mia subconsciously lowered her gaze to her abdomen. The coldness in his voice was a chilling reminder: she had to protect this baby at all costs. To Timothy, this child didn't—and shouldn't—exist.
Laura, his grandmother, chimed in anxiously, “You’re already thirty! How much longer do you want to wait? I’m afraid I’ll be in my grave before I see you become a father.”
“Grandma, if you agree to the surgery, you’ll live long enough to see plenty of great-grandchildren,” Timothy countered smoothly.
“Hah! Don’t try to bargain with me. You want me to agree to the surgery? Fine. I’ll do it the day Mia gets pregnant. Otherwise, don’t even mention it.”
With that ultimatum, Laura turned and swept out of the room. Martha followed closely behind, whispering a quiet assurance, “Don’t worry, Madam. Ms. Mia and Mr. Barrett have a wonderful relationship. A child is only a matter of time.”
Once they were gone, Sharon’s face twisted into a look of pure disdain. She side-eyed Mia before turning to her son. “It’s a good thing she isn’t pregnant. Once Maya Lane marries into this family, she will be the one to provide your heirs, Timothy.”
She stepped closer, her voice dripping with venom. “After all, Maya is a daughter of the Lane family. Someone of her elite background wouldn’t—and shouldn't—have to deal with being a stepmother to a commoner's brat.”
Sharon walked away, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
Mia’s eyes flashed with a bitter mockery. Of course. Only a woman of Maya’s social standing was "worthy" of the Barrett bloodline. A girl like her was nothing more than an interloper.
She looked at Timothy, who was still standing before her. “I never knew you were such a talented liar, Mr. Barrett. When exactly have we ever used contraception?”
Timothy was briefly startled, but a smirk soon played on his lips. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping an octave. “Can I take that as a hint from you, Mia?”
A hint? Mia hadn't expected the stoic, serious Timothy Barrett to make such a sleazy remark. She quickly looked away, her face flushing with irritation. “You shouldn't read so much into things.”
She tried to walk past him, but he shifted, blocking her path. He peered down at her, his shadow looming large. “Where are you going?”
“Home.”
Timothy’s eyes narrowed. “Home? Or do you mean back to that hotel?”
Mia scoffed internally. Was the bastard actually trying to mock her? She took a deep breath, flashing him a smile that didn't reach her eyes. “Why so many questions? Are you jealous? I suggest you take your mother’s advice and get a medical checkup tomorrow, Timothy.”
“Why would I need a checkup?”
“Why? Because it’s clearly not my fault we don't have a child. I think you might need to see a specialist,” she remarked sharply.
Timothy’s gaze hardened into flint. “You know perfectly well that I’m healthy. Didn't you experience it for yourself that night?”
Mia stiffened, the memory of that night flashing through her mind. But she held her ground, her voice steady and cruel. “I did. And that’s exactly why I’m suggesting the doctor. After all… what I experienced was pretty forgettable.”
…
The moment the words left her mouth, she turned to walk out of the bathroom. She didn't need to look back to know that Timothy’s expression had turned lethal. No man, especially one as powerful and arrogant as Timothy, could take an insult like that lying down.
For a moment, Mia felt a rush of adrenaline. She realized how satisfying it was to finally push back, to see him suffer even a fraction of the humiliation she had endured.
However, she had only taken three steps when the world suddenly tilted.
Before she could scream, Timothy hauled her up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
“Put me down, Timothy!” she cried out, her face heating up as she dangled behind him.
“You need to take responsibility for your words, Mia. You know that, right?”
Timothy felt a literal fire burning in his chest. This woman was systematically pushing every single one of his buttons. First, she disappears to a hotel, then she signs the divorce papers without a tear, and now she was insulting his manhood?
The incident a month ago had been fueled by alcohol, and yes, it was his first time. He lacked experience, but that didn't mean he was "forgettable."
Was he supposed to just stand there and let her insinuate he was incompetent?
Terrified for the baby in the face of his rough movements, Mia struggled to get free. Timothy reached back, firmly tapping her thigh. “Stop moving,” he growled, “unless you want me to finish what we started a month ago right here.”