Stuart felt irritated. He didn't want children, but Josephine's attitude displeased him. "Cliff wants a grandson, but what's with your attitude?"
Stuart asked, "Are you also using a child to secure your position in the Haustia family?"
In fact, Josephine had fantasized more than once about having a child with Stuart.
At that time, she felt joy and sweet.
Despite knowing that Stuart didn't like her, she found herself eagerly anticipating the prospect of having a child with him, imagining that the child would bear a striking resemblance to him.
But now... She had no expectations, not even for a child.
"Why are you silent?" Stuart's tone was displeased. "Did I hit the mark?"
"It's up to you," Josephine said. "Even without children, my position is still secure. Besides, you don't want a divorce."
"Who said I don't want a divorce?" Stuart suddenly grabbed her wrist. "Josephine, you don't think it’s my personal belief not to divorce you?"
Josephine lowered her head to look at his hand. In Stuart's palm were her delicate wrist and smooth skin. His thumb couldn't help but caress the base of her hand, and the silky feeling made him reluctant to let go.
This subtle action made Josephine sensitive, and she pulled her hand back, saying, "It tickles."
Stuart reached out again, this time taking her hand and playing with her fingers. "Why are your hands so sensitive? I thought that only your more private areas..."
Josephine knew what he was about to say and glared, interrupting him, "Shut up!"
They had just been discussing the topic of divorce, and Stuart had veered off course. Why did Stuart always make such vulgar jokes?
Stuart chuckled softly, looking down at Josephine, his profile particularly handsome.
Josephine suppressed her accelerated heartbeat and forced herself back to the topic that had made her sad. "So, you want a divorce, but you're considering Cliff and the business, which is why you don't want to go through with it."
Stuart's smile vanished, and he let go of her hand. "Good that you understand.."
"That's fine," Josephine said expressionlessly, "Since my position is so secure, I don't need to have a child."
"So, you want a child just to secure your position?" Stuart's tone was laced with hostility. "Is there no other reason?"
"What else? We're just in a business marriage. Do you expect me to fall in love with you?"
"How is that possible?" Stuart said instinctively, "So, I'm not expecting it,"
Josephine said, lowering her head. "Are you satisfied now?"
Stuart was not satisfied.
He indeed didn't want Josephine to have a child, but he would be dissatisfied if Josephine herself had that idea.
However, Stuart didn't know how to express his conflicted and tangled feelings.
Recently, Josephine's temperament changed drastically, and his conflicts and entanglements seemed to increase.
Stuart couldn't find the reason for the contradiction and could only attribute it to Josephine's fault-finding and rebelliousness.
Their relationship used to be so good; they treated each other sincerely, did not interfere with each other, and had everything under his control.
Why had it changed now? Stuart was very dissatisfied.
He glanced at Josephine but found that she was already looking out the window, ignoring him.
He immediately felt depressed and looked out of his window in a huff.
They didn't say a word until they arrived at the Haustia Manor.
Getting out of the car, Stuart walked expressionlessly to her side and leaned his arm towards her.
Josephine, like an expressionless puppet, reached out and held his arm.
They entered the house together, and when they saw Cliff, Josephine immediately smiled and said, "Grandpa."
She let go of Stuart and handed him the gift she was holding. "This is for you."
"Great," Cliff said, beaming. "I'm happy to see you back, but why did you bring me a gift?"
He finished speaking and looked at Stuart.
Stuart hadn't prepared a gift.
Cliff snorted. "Josie is the best. You're utterly useless."
Stuart hadn't noticed Josephine had brought a gift. He glared at her before saying, "Grandpa, we're a couple. What she buys is what I buy."
"Cut it," Cliff retorted, unconvinced. " The notion of presenting me with a gift never crossed your mind."
Stuart, indeed, wasn't in the habit of giving gifts.
Fortunately, Cliff didn't mind and invited Stuart and Josephine to eat first.
During the meal, Cliff brought up the topic of having children. " You're not young anymore, especially Stuart. You'll be twenty-six soon. When I was your age, I already had kids."
Josephine glanced at Stuart.
Stuart spoke up, "I understand."
Josephine frowned, not understanding Stuart's meaning.
Cliff was pleased. "It’s good you understand that. Since you're planning to have a baby, quit smoking and drinking, attend fewer social events, and spend more time with Josie at home."
Josephine couldn't help but kick Stuart under the table.
Hadn't they agreed not to have children?
Why was Cliff suggesting they try for a baby?
Cliff continued, "Or you can stay with me for a while, and I'll have someone prepare nutritious meals."
Josephine desperately signaled to Stuart with her eyes.
In response, Stuart said, "Sure, I'll do as you say."
After the meal, Josephine chatted with Cliff for a while, and then Cliff urged them to return to their room.
As they went upstairs and closed the door, Josephine asked directly, "What do you mean? If you don't want a child, why give Cliff false hope?"
"Many couples try for years," Stuart replied, looking at her. "What? Did you take it seriously?"
Josephine, who had indeed taken it seriously, didn't expect Stuart to deceive even Cliff.
She felt a little embarrassed. "Do you think Cliff is foolish? If I couldn't get pregnant for several years, he wouldn't pressure us; he would take us to see a doctor."
"So, you want to get pregnant?" Stuart looked at her angry expression and found her particularly cute. He couldn't help but say, "That's not a bad idea."
Josephine was taken aback. "What did you say?"
After Stuart spoke, even he was stunned.
He always had a hundred percent certainty in everything he did, but his words just now were impulsive, and he didn't even have time to think.
It turned out that he also spoke subconsciously.
Seeing Josephine's surprised expression, Stuart suddenly felt inexplicably angry. "What's wrong? Don't you want to?"
Josephine felt a slight vibration.
She had always hoped to conceive a new life with Stuart.
But now, she was completely desperate.
She forced a smile and replied, "No, I don't want to."
Stuart was instantly furious. "Josephine!"
"If you shout any louder, Cliff will hear," Josephine sneered. "Since you brought up trying for a baby in six months, you can tell Cliff that due to your health issues, I can't get pregnant."
Stuart glared at her. "Due to my health issues?"