Chapter 12 Did He Misunderstand Her
"Steven, I just wanted to borrow the lease agreement for this apartment so my niece can go to school. If you're not cool with it, just say so. I won't push you. But why do you have to treat me like this?"
Steven frowned.
Nora stood there, looking frail, but her words carried weight. "I'm your wife, not your employee or your enemy. I've always tried to be kind to you, yet you show me no respect. You treat Olivia the same way. She barely visits, and you've ignored her twice."
"Steven, if your grandmother came over and I treated her like you treated my sister today, would you be okay with that?"
Steven's lips tightened.
"I treat your family like my own, but you don't do the same for me." Nora took a deep breath. "Steven, you're not doing well at all."
She had a temper, too.
But she saw Steven as family, so she wouldn't blow up at him.
After speaking, she turned and went back to her room.
Steven's face darkened. He pushed open her door and stood outside, looking down at her. "How am I not doing well? Tell me."
The guest room was dimly lit.
One stood in the shadows, the other in the light. Steven grabbed her slender arm, not letting her leave.
Nora's eyelashes lowered in the darkness.
Steven looked at her coldly. "Haven't I fulfilled my duties as a husband?"
He provided her with a place to live and made sure she had food and clothing. What more did she want?
"We've been married for three months. You've come back less than five times, always drunk, and I've taken care of you each time. Steven, do you consider this place a home or a hotel? You know the answer." She replied clearly, lifting her lashes, her eyes red.
She had always felt grateful to Steven and wanted to treat him well, but his words today were too harsh. Nora wasn't a girl without dignity.
Tonight, she showed her sharp claws for the first time.
Steven thought she seemed more alive than before.
He pressed his lips together, his tone softening. "You said you wanted to borrow the lease agreement for your niece to attend elementary school?"
Nora was stunned.
Why did the conversation shift back to this?
"Go ahead and borrow it," Steven replied indifferently. "But the elementary school near Riverside Apartment is a top school, not easy to get into."
Regarding her earlier points, he indeed hadn't done well.
Thinking about her attitude towards Elizabeth, he realized he hadn't respected Olivia and hadn't treated this place as home.
"Are you willing to lend it?" Nora was a bit puzzled.
He had been so harsh earlier; why the sudden change in attitude?
"I drank too much, and my tone was harsh," Steven admitted stiffly. He wasn't an arrogant person. He looked at her, as if searching for emotions in her eyes.
Her eyes were clear, filled with grievance and sadness, but no calculation or resentment.
She probably wasn't someone who would endlessly help her family.
If she were, she would have threatened him with divorce by now.
Maybe he misunderstood her?
"Did you hear Olivia talking about the apartment in the living room earlier?" Nora asked him.
She wasn't sure, but she felt the need to explain.
"Steven, this apartment was bought by you. I've never thought about taking your property. If you get tired of me, you can tell me. I'll move out and pretend we never met. But please don't misunderstand me. I'm not that kind of person."
When Steven took her in, she was penniless. But now she had saved some money. If Steven disliked her so much, she would leave.
Steven remained silent, not speaking.
"It's past midnight. Get some rest. I need to sleep too. I have work tomorrow." Nora stood at the door, looking at Steven.
Steven glanced at her. Her emotions had calmed down.
He didn't say anything more.
He returned to the master bedroom and turned on the light.
The divorce agreement was still lying on the bed.
Steven loosened his tie and picked it up.
Nora's words echoed in his mind: "If you get tired of me, you can tell me. I'll move out and pretend we never met..."
She had spoken very seriously.
Steven pondered for a moment and then casually tossed the divorce agreement into the nightstand drawer.
Forget it, he thought. Let's hold off on the divorce and test her a bit more.
Early in the morning, Nora was watering the vegetables on the balcony when someone rang the doorbell.
Nora opened the door.
Elizabeth and Lally stood outside, holding a delicate gift bag that looked like a present.
"Grandma!" Nora called sweetly.
Despite the small conflict with Steven last night, everything was resolved, so Nora was in a decent mood, not too bad.
"Watering the flowers?" Elizabeth asked, noticing the watering can in her hand.
"No, Grandma, it's vegetables. I planted some myself." Nora welcomed Elizabeth inside.
Elizabeth had mentioned she would come this morning, so Nora had cleaned the house early and brewed a pot of milk. Everything was neat.
"You know how to grow vegetables?" Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised, stepping out to the balcony to take a look. She exclaimed, "Nora, your vegetables are really good."
Lally chimed in, "Mrs. York loves gardening too. Fruits, flowers, they're her favorites. She has a whole garden at home."
"A garden?" Nora was surprised. A garden must be huge!
"Grandma, is your garden at your old home?" It was almost impossible to have a garden in South City, where land was extremely valuable.
"Yes!" Elizabeth almost let it slip, quickly agreeing.
The York family lived in a suburban estate, with a dedicated vegetable and flower garden managed by professionals. Elizabeth visited every few days. She was a plant science expert in her youth and sometimes planted fruits and vegetables herself. She didn't expect Nora to share the same hobby. They were kindred spirits!
They chatted on the balcony.
Steven adjusted his watch as he walked out of his room, saying, "Nora, I can't find my tie clip. Can you help me look?"
He disliked his tie floating around.
"What? Your tie clip is missing!" Nora said to Elizabeth, "I'll go help Steven find his tie clip. Grandma, please rest on the sofa."
Nora ran into Steven's room to find the tie clip.
Steven stood in the living room, facing Elizabeth.
"Grandma, why are you here again?" Steven felt a headache just seeing Elizabeth.