Chapter 3 Should This Marriage Continue
"Mom, don't talk about Joanna like that."
Seeing Joanna's downcast eyes, as if wounded, Karen spoke up in her defense.
Elizabeth was a proud woman. Seeing that Joanna refused to back down and Karen was taking her side, she turned her wrath on Karen as well.
"I'll say what I want! And I have a few things to say to you, too. Hazel's right—this is all your fault. You were the one who nagged me about getting Justin married so I could hold a great-grandchild. That's the only reason I agreed to let her into this family. Three years later, still no baby, and the doctors say she's got fertility issues. I never should have approved this marriage! This whole mess is on you!"
"Exactly. And she's taking up Lillian's rightful place..." Hazel muttered under her breath in agreement.
Elizabeth's words were brutal, leaving no dignity intact. Hazel chimed in with her snide commentary.
Joanna stood there, her slender frame trembling slightly. She pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Not because she was afraid to fight back, but because she didn't want to escalate the conflict and drag Karen into Elizabeth's line of fire.
Karen frowned at the old woman and the teenager before her. She opened her mouth to speak, then stopped. Finally, she let out a heavy sigh and patted Joanna's hand soothingly.
"Joanna, sweetheart, your grandmother-in-law hasn't been sleeping well ever since the doctor said you'd have trouble conceiving. Her blood pressure's been climbing, so she's a bit short-tempered. Don't take it to heart. Once we get your health sorted out, a baby will come."
There won't be a baby.
Justin didn't want her to have his children. As long as she remained his wife, he would find ways to keep her on contraceptives.
A terrible thought struck Joanna: Karen had practically begged Justin to marry her. What if he was afraid Karen wouldn't agree to a divorce? What if he'd deliberately sabotaged her fertility to force the issue?
If that was true, Justin was crueler than she'd ever imagined.
"Where's Justin? Why didn't he come back with you?"
Sensing the tension, Karen changed the subject. But this only made things more awkward for Joanna.
"He's busy. He's not coming." Joanna's answer was vague.
"Busy with what?" Elizabeth snapped. "How long has it been since he's come home?"
Joanna said nothing.
Hazel gave a low laugh. "Grandmother, there's no point asking her. Justin doesn't tell her anything. What would he have to talk about with a housewife?"
Elizabeth's displeasure deepened. "Can't give us a baby, can't keep her husband interested—I don't know what kind of wife you think you are."
Hazel smirked triumphantly and added sweetly, "Grandmother, don't get upset. At least she's a decent cook. Her fish soup is delicious. Why don't you have her go make dinner? I'll call Justin and find out what he's up to."
"Yes, good. Call him now."
Elizabeth's tone was indulgent when speaking to Hazel. When she turned back to Joanna, her eyes were heavy with contempt. "Well? What are you standing there for? Didn't you hear Hazel wants fish soup? Go make it. And don't delay dinner."
"It won't be delayed."
Karen pulled Joanna toward the kitchen. "The fish soup is already simmering. Joanna, come help me figure out the seasoning. I can never get it to taste like yours."
Hazel had already dialed Justin's number.
"Justin, you're really not coming home for dinner?"
"No. Lillian's sick. I'm looking after her. I'll come another day."
Hazel had put the call on speaker. Justin's gentle voice drifted into Joanna's ears. She'd been walking toward the kitchen, but now she froze mid-step.
She stopped. She couldn't help but listen.
Elizabeth and Hazel immediately expressed concern for Lillian's health.
Lillian's sweet voice came through the line. "Grandmother, don't worry. It's just a little cold. I told Justin he didn't need to stay, but he insisted. Justin, you should go home. Your grandmother's waiting. If you're really worried, you can come see me tomorrow."
Justin paused for two seconds. "All right. Keep warm. I'll come tomorrow."
Joanna's lips curved into a bitter smile. Her chest ached so badly she could barely breathe.
When she'd asked him to come home, he'd given her a cold "I'm busy." Lillian said one sentence, and Justin obeyed.
She wasn't worthy.
A warm touch pressed against her palm. She looked up to meet Karen's concerned gaze. Joanna gave her a faint smile and stepped into the kitchen.
Behind her, Hazel hung up and said, "See, Grandmother? I told you Joanna can't get through to Justin. Ever since Lillian came back from overseas, she's the only one he cares about."
After the wedding, Joanna had stopped working to focus on trying to conceive. She'd spent a lot of time at the Lawson estate.
Everyone in the family loved her cooking, so she'd often prepared meals. She knew the kitchen well.
She grabbed an apron and tied it around her waist, lost in thought. When she turned around, a sweet, fragrant scent wafted toward her. She froze.
A freshly baked cupcake sat on a small plate. Karen held it out to her with a kind smile.
"The soup's still simmering. No rush. Have a cupcake first. I made a whole batch. When you leave, I'll pack some up for you to take home."
"Thank you, Mom."
Joanna took the plate and ate small bites with a fork. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Karen could tell she was unhappy. She tried to console her. "After Justin's grandfather passed, Mr. Scott helped Justin tremendously in business. Justin's looking after Lillian now because of Mr. Scott's dying wish. Don't read too much into it."
"I know." Joanna's voice was soft.
Justin had been heartless enough to drug her. Whether he was actually having an affair didn't matter anymore.
What mattered was that he'd always despised her.
Even after three years of fulfilling her duties as a wife—sharing his bed, managing his household, respecting his elders—he'd never felt a shred of affection for her.
If that was the case, the question wasn't whether to confront him. The question was whether this marriage was worth continuing at all.
Karen sensed something off about Joanna, but she didn't seem genuinely unbothered. Still, remembering how sensible Joanna usually was, Karen said nothing more. She assumed Joanna's mood was simply due to Elizabeth's harsh words about not being able to conceive.
Karen was anxious for a grandchild, too.
Though she disapproved of Elizabeth's cruel remarks, she also worried: what if Joanna truly couldn't get pregnant?
With that thought weighing on her, Karen lost her desire to comfort Joanna. She quietly resolved to rein Justin in.
After all, making a baby wasn't just the woman's job.
Justin arrived home just as dinner was being served.
The moment he sat down, Hazel and Elizabeth peppered him with questions about how Lillian had gotten sick.
Elizabeth repeatedly reminded Justin to take good care of Lillian. She showed no awareness of how inappropriate it was for a married man to be fussing over an unmarried single woman.
Justin sipped his fish soup, his gaze flicking briefly to Joanna beside him. He nodded in response to Elizabeth's instructions.
At that moment, a servant placed a bowl of soup in front of Joanna. The scent of medicinal herbs quickly filled the air.
Hazel hated the smell. She pinched her nose and leaned back. "Joanna, drink it already and have them take the bowl away. It reeks."
Joanna set down her chopsticks. She looked at the man beside her.
Justin continued drinking his fish soup, his long fingers elegantly holding the spoon. His movements were refined, detached. He seemed utterly oblivious to her gaze, not sparing her even a glance.
