Chapter 24 Nora, Don't Hold My Hand
Steven's attitude was way better this time around.
"Olivia, why don't you chill on the couch for a bit? I'll whip up dinner. I got all your favorite stuff today!" Nora was in high spirits, having just scored a batch of 1210 capacitors. She was optimistic, thinking she might make a quick $20,000 by tomorrow.
Steven was about to retreat to his room when Nora called out, winking, "Hey, come give me a hand!"
They had gotten a bit closer lately, so she felt comfortable asking for his help.
Steven frowned, "What do you need help with?"
"Just wash and chop the veggies. It'll go quicker that way." Nora grabbed his hand.
Steven looked uncomfortable. He didn't like being touched and said, "Nora, please don't hold my hand. I don't like being touched."
"You're so fussy?" Nora laughed, looking at Steven.
He was just a department manager, and despite his decent salary, he acted like an overly meticulous CEO.
"I have OCD," Steven said loftily.
"But yesterday in the elevator, you held my hand the whole time," Nora mumbled.
Steven's eyes darkened.
Yesterday was over; why was she bringing it up again?
Olivia sat in the living room, feeling pleased as she watched Nora and Steven make dinner together.
At first, she thought Steven had a cold personality, but it turned out he cared about Nora and was helping with the cooking.
Steven only helped with simple tasks like washing vegetables and passing sauces, then stood by watching Nora cook.
Forty-five minutes later, a light and nutritious meal of four dishes and a soup was ready.
Luckily, Steven also liked light food, so there was no need to cater specifically to his tastes.
"Olivia! Dinner's ready," Nora called out.
Olivia had been staring at her phone.
She had been out for two hours, and Willie hadn't called even once. He wasn't usually like this; he would always call to coax her to come home.
"Olivia, what are you daydreaming about?" Nora asked, putting some food on Olivia's plate.
Olivia forced a smile and quietly ate her meal.
Nora glanced at Steven, and he could tell something was wrong, too. They exchanged looks but said nothing, eating in silence.
After dinner, they didn't need to wash the dishes because they had a dishwasher. Nora washed some fruit for Olivia, while Steven set up a robot vacuum in the living room.
"What's that?" Nora asked him.
"It's a robot vacuum. When the house gets dirty, just let it do the work." Steven fiddled with it, turned it on, and the robot started cleaning.
It wasn't loud.
Nora watched in surprise, "This is a great product!"
They wouldn't have to do the dishes, mop, or sweep anymore, saving a lot of household chores.
Nora thought that while Steven might seem cold, he was very good at solving problems. He quietly took care of many issues around the house, making her feel a sense of reliance.
She and Olivia sat on the couch. It was already past nine.
Nora asked, "Olivia, has Willie contacted you?"
Olivia shook her head.
"Did something happen at home?" Nora had a feeling.
Olivia sighed, "Yesterday, Bianca went to a party and got a bucket of dog blood dumped on her. She came back and complained to Eleanor, saying you stole her man."
Olivia spoke softly when she mentioned "man."
But Steven heard it and raised an eyebrow.
Nora noticed, "Steven, what's with the eyebrow?"
He raised it higher, looking displeased.
Steven glanced at his phone, "Nothing, just reading some documents."
The three of them stayed in the living room.
Nora actually wanted Steven to go back to the bedroom, so she and her sister could talk privately.
But Steven remembered how Nora had entertained Elizabeth and felt awkward staying there.
He was keeping Olivia company, so Nora wouldn't complain about him being a bad husband later.
"Bianca is just talking nonsense!" Nora was furious, "Yesterday, she blocked me in the hallway and got hit. Now she's blaming it on me."
Of course, she didn't tell her sister that Steven had avenged her.
Bianca was just a crazy woman.
"Bianca kept crying and complaining to the whole family. Today, Eleanor invited all her dancing friends over, making me host them, cook, and even mop the floor. She knows how hard this pregnancy has been for me, but still says I've never had it tough. She claims that when they were pregnant, they had to work and that I'm just pampered because I don't do enough work. She says if I worked more, the baby would be fine."
"That's ridiculous!" Nora couldn't help but curse. Such an ignorant mother-in-law could really drive someone mad.
"When I was hospitalized for vomiting, the doctor told her that some people have severe morning sickness throughout pregnancy. How did she respond? She said it was because of my improper lifestyle that I must have had many abortions, which made me weak. But I was a virgin when I married Willie..." Olivia grew angrier as she spoke.
Nora rubbed her back, soothing her, "Olivia, don't be upset. You have a baby to think about. Keep calm for the baby."
"For the baby, I've been putting up with her. I don't know what more she wants." Olivia felt helpless.
She had a hard time getting pregnant and wanted to keep this baby at all costs. But Bianca constantly provoked her, trying to ruin her relationship with Willie, as if she wanted her to miscarry and get divorced.
"Let's focus on having the baby first." A new life was precious, and Nora understood Olivia's feelings.
Olivia held Nora's hand, "Nora, I'm sorry for dragging you into Willie's company. I wanted you to build your own career, but they treated you so badly."
Olivia felt guilty towards Nora.
Steven quietly listened, realizing how tough things were for them.
Nora said, "Olivia, don't worry. I've been waiting for you to come back. The company was built by you and Willie; you deserve half of it. Be strong. Once the baby is born, go back and reclaim what's yours. With resources in your hands, your mother-in-law won't dare treat you like this."
Olivia nodded. That was her plan, too.
The sisters had a tough upbringing, with an abusive father. They had endured a lot.
Olivia was determined from the start to create value.
But women face challenges with childbirth, a vulnerable time with inevitable difficulties.