Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: Only When Necessary

Jason's parents gave him an eager look, their faces displaying a mixture of joy and curiosity. With their hopes placed on the possibility of grandchildren continuing the family history, they were eager to hear from him.

Jason forced himself to swallow, his thoughts racing as he tried to think of anything to say. He glanced at Emma, silently attempting to decipher the expressions on her face.

Emma caught Jason's stare, a wordless exchange of anxiety going between them as Emma's pulse beat in her chest. She saw the anguish in his expression, the pressure of his parents' expectations pressing him down.

Jason inhaled deeply, found the fortitude to turn around, and faced his parents. He said, "Mom, Dad," his voice firm despite the turmoil inside of him. "I... we haven't really discussed that yet."

A trace of disappointment flickered over his mother's cheeks as her grin wavered. "Oh, I see," she said in a regretful tone. Of course, there isn't a hurry. When the two of you are ready."

Even though Emma sensed a tinge of tension in the air, Jason's father nodded in accord. It was obvious that the subject had touched a chord because an uneasy quiet followed.

A child? Yes, she desired Jason, but for the time being, having a kid for him was out of the question. They had just been married for a week or so, and now they are requesting a kid. a marriage that she had doubts about lasting long.

Perhaps she misread, but the look she had seen on Jason's face earlier indicated he wasn't interested in her becoming pregnant. In any case, she would best avoid being pregnant.

It's clear that Jason married her to appease his parents. based on how endearing he was to her when they were together. She had no idea he possessed this aspect of himself. He had not smiled so brilliantly, in her opinion.

Emma wished the day would not end and they wouldn't have to return to that horrible house. As the evening went on, they spoke about other things and Jason remained sweet.

Jason and Emma exchanged a glance, their fingers intertwined in a tight grip as they stepped into the sleek, black limousine waiting to whisk them away. Jason's parents bid them farewell with warm smiles and gentle waves as they stood at the gate of the mansion. As the vehicle pulled away, Emma couldn't get rid of the lingering feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach.

As they settled down for the trip ahead, the luxurious leather chairs surrounded them. A quiet anchor among the maelstrom building within her was Jason's hand in hers. She sneaked a peek at him, looking for any indication of the conflict she knew was bubbling under the surface in his eyes.

Jason abruptly removed his hands from Emma's clasp as the car began to drive away, sending shivers down her spine. His tone was cold, uncaring, his words stabbing through the quiet like shards of ice.

Emma pulled away from him, her fingers balling into fists in her lap, her eyes locked on the passing landscape outside the window, and her heart sinking. What was she thinking, letting herself assume that they could overcome their differences even for a little period of time?

"Yeah, I know," she said in a quiet reply that was almost heard above the engine's hum.

Jason said in a sarcastic tone, "That's quite a nice show, I must say," without turning to face her. "Didn't know you had such a bright smile."

Emma's thoughts raced with a mix of contradictory feelings, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she struggled to keep her cool. Biting her lip, she forced herself to be composed as she searched for the proper words.

She saw her image in the rearview mirror and said, "We all have our sweet sides," in a tone that hinted at bitterness. She averted her gaze, forcing her mind to concentrate on anything beyond the awkward tension that weighed like a thick veil between them.

As all of this was going on, Jason's mind kept wandering to Linda, all shame and confusion. When she came back from Germany and learned the truth about his marriage and the things he had withheld from her, how would she react?

With an exasperated gesture, he ran a hand through his hair, his mouth clamped hard against the persistent doubts and concerns that were trying to eat him alive. How could he have been so naive, so stupid, as to believe he could have it all and not suffer any repercussions?

"Are you okay?" Emma's worried expression could be seen in the crease on her forehead as her words cut through the cloud of his thoughts.

Jason's comments carried the weight of his contempt, each syllable piercing the atmosphere like a pointed razor. Emma's breath caught in her throat as she tried to grasp the extent of his brutality, her heart lurching at his harsh tone.

His voice brimmed with scorn, "You seem to have forgotten your place because of that small show. I made it clear that you are only my wife on paper and only when necessary, didn't I?"

Emma felt the words hit her like a punch to the body, the anguish shooting from her chest all the way out. She had always understood in her heart that their marriage was a handy arrangement to appease their families and nothing more. But seeing Jason state it in such a harsh way made her doubt all of her preconceived notions about their relationship.

She attempted to respond, to defend herself against his charges, but a knot developed in her throat. "But I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I just..., simply..., merely..." Her words faded away, swallowed up by the oppressive quiet that enveloped them.

Jason's jaw was clenched hard from the weight of his remorse while his eyes stayed locked on the distant. He was aware that his remarks had hurt more deeply than he had meant to, and that he had overreacted. However, he was unable to recant them and save Emma the impression that he was weak.

He went away without saying anything, regretful in his heart. He could not afford to be polite to her, could not allow her emotions to have any influence over him. She was just an inconvenience, a complicating factor he could not afford to deal with.

Jason braced himself against the flood of emotions that threatened to overtake him as the quiet between them seemed like a gaping abyss. Emma needed to be reminded of her position, and he needed to set limits that would protect them both from the hurt of their confused feelings.