Chapter 290 Meals Made With Love
“Y-You!” Josephine sputtered with anger, now offended at my indifference about the photographs.
“Mrs. Shaw, if you’re here to convince me to leave Michael, I’m sorry, but I can’t concede to your request. Nothing you do or say can force me to change my mind!” I declared firmly and calmly, undeterred by her rage.
Being together with Michael was the only silver lining in my life right now. I would not allow anyone to take my happiness away from me.
“Anna Garcia, I’m Michael’s mother. What do you think he’ll say about your rude attitude?”
Josephine had regained her composure at an astonishingly fast speed, though rage still burned in her eyes.
“It’s exactly because you’re his mother that I’ve been putting up with your antics, but you’ve never once shown me the respect I deserve.”
I’ve wasted too much time trying to convince her to accept me. How can she sacrifice Michael’s happiness to further her interests?
“Respect? I refuse to respect a gold-digger! If you knew your place, you should have left Michael a long time ago!”
Gone was Josephine’s calm facade as she glared at me disdainfully.
I inhaled deeply to suppress my rage. Her words and her assumptions were nothing short of offensive. Is that what she truly thinks of me? A gold-digger?
I wondered if the members of high society viewed everyone around them through a materialistic lens. Is one’s self-worth truly defined by his or her class? Do the poor have no right to pursue their happiness?
“Mrs. Shaw, I’ve always been patient and civil to you for Michael’s sake. My only wish was for you to return my respect. I may come from the village, but my pride is as valuable to me as the next person. I won’t allow you to trample over it.”
Her status as Michael’s mother did not give her the right to insult and humiliate me as and when she pleased. Enough was enough.
Josephine looked like she had more to say, though I did not wish to subject myself to further humiliation.
I stared at her and hesitated for the briefest of moments before I stood up. Bowing slightly to her, I turned and took my leave.
Her stubbornness left no room for reasonable discussion. I’m not going to listen to anything else she has to say. Either way, I’m not leaving Michael.
I could feel her glare on my back as I left the café. To her credit, she did not stop me. Perhaps she realized the futility of bullying me into leaving Michael.
After leaving the café, I sighed deeply before heading to the supermarket.
The encounter with Josephine had doused any excitement I felt at preparing dinner for Michael.
I splurged on ingredients in the supermarket, yet my mood only worsened with time.
Michael came home that night looking fatigued. Our wedding was less than a week away and he had been busy handling the final details of the big day.
His dedication to planning our wedding touched me. Though his previous wedding to Emma had been a much grander affair, he barely showed any interest in planning it and had instead allowed Josephine to organize the wedding as she pleased. I was elated at his hands-on involvement in our big day.
Michael’s actions spoke volumes about the difference in his feelings toward Emma and me. I was confident and thankful for his love.
When he came in, I hurried to him and retrieved his briefcase. I helped him remove his blazer after that.
Michael felt uncomfortable wearing his blazer at home. It was a habit of his that I had observed during our relationship.
“You look exhausted.” I could not help but express my concern.
“I’m fine. Things are just a bit hectic lately because the wedding is happening so soon.” Michael lifted his head and smiled at me reassuringly.
Soon, he turned his head toward the dining table, enticed by the aroma of a home-cooked meal.
“You’ve been planning the whole wedding yourself. I feel sorry that I haven’t been able to help with anything.”
I felt guilty about spending my days at home, helplessly waiting for Michael to return while he bustled about managing our affairs. I regretted being unable to offer him any help during this time.
“Don’t be. You should focus on taking care of yourself and the baby.” Michael tapped my nose fondly, which immediately soothed my concern.
I shuddered at his affectionate gesture. I loved it when he treated me this way; it kept the romance alive.
“I prepared your favorite dishes for dinner. You should try them and let me know how they taste. I haven’t cooked in a long time.”
Michael had not had my cooking since our breakup. I fretted incessantly in the kitchen earlier, worried that my cooking would ruin his appetite.
“Someone’s in a great mood. You haven’t cooked for me in ages.” I was gratified that Michael seemed pleased at my initiative.
“Of course, I’d love to cook for you, but I’m never allowed in the kitchen because the housekeeper’s always around.”
Michael made it sound like I had not cooked in eons when, in truth, the housekeeper had kept me out of the kitchen to prevent me from overexerting myself. With her preparing all our daily meals, I could barely even make a piece of toast.
“Is this your way of telling me that you would like to cook more often? I have no objections to that, by the way. You can become my personal chef from now on,” he teased and arched a brow.
I knew he was pulling my leg but his taunting expression still raised my hackles.
“No, thank you. Just let me know if you’re in the mood for my cooking. It’s a hard pass on being your personal chef.”
I planned to head back to work after our wedding. I need to make a living and support my baby. I’ve got no time to worry over his meals.
My refusal was well within his expectations. Instead of feeling upset, he merely picked up his fork and started eating.
I was suddenly reminded of my encounter with Josephine as I stared at the dishes on the table. My mood soured immediately.
