Chapter 45 I Can Never Have Children
Samuel Nelson stood at the door, dressed in one of his dark–navy suits with a fine pinstripe, by Dior, looking impeccable. Meeting everyone’s gaze, he remarked drily, “I see you’ve started eating already. I guess this family runs just peachy without me.”
Charles Nelson frowned at his grandson and was quick to respond. “You barely come home once every six months,” he said, “And you still consider this your home?”
Though imitated, Samuel politely said, “Happy birthday, Grandpa.”
Then his grandfather said, “If you want to make me happy, give me a surprise.”
Samuel ignored this, knowing it was the usual hint about giving him some grandchildren. After scanning the room and nodding to his elders, he sat next to Eliana, who had been thoughtful enough to keep the chair free for him. The moment he sat down, he turned to her with ice–cold eyes. Eliana avoided his gaze, keeping her head down and focusing on her food. Samuel leaned close to her ear and whispered, “You’ll pay for this later, Eliana pretended not to hear, still not looking
- up.
What she didn’t notice was Michael staring at her from across the table. But Samuel, always sharp–eyed, caught this immediately. He turned his gaze to Michael and asked, “I don’t remember seeing you before. Aunt Charlotte, is this your boyfriend?”
Aunt Charlotte quickly responded, “Don’t be ridiculous, Samuel! He’s still a student–he’s Tiffany’s brother, Emma’s uncle.” Samuel studied Michael again, his handsome face expressionless.
Emma, asked brightly the same question she’d asked Eliana, “Sam, isn’t my Uncle Michael handsome? Almost as good- looking as you!”
Samuel just grunted in response.
Michael took the initiative: “Hello, sir, I’m Michael Sinclair.”
Samuel barely acknowledged the man since he was too focused on his wife. He turned to her and said, “Come here alone to complain about me?”
I
Eliana finally met his gaze, glaring, “So what if I did?” she said.
Samuel scoffed, and as he straightened up, he noticed Michael watching Eliana again. He looked back at Eliana’s downcast eyes and wondered if there was something between them. But he dismissed the thought–besides school, she was always with him.
As lunch was ending, Charles spoke up: “My birthday wish this year is for Eli to give me a great–grandchild next year.” Looking at Eliana, Charles continued: “Eliana, let me make you an offer – I’ll give you ten million for having a baby, boy or girl. You’re young, so it shouldn’t be difficult, right?”
Being an orphan who married into the wealthy Nelson family, Charles accepted Eliana mainly because of her sweet appearance and the fact that Samuel and his parents liked her. The Nelsons had plenty of money; they cared less about her family background and more about having heirs.
Eliana looked up to find everyone staring at her, and thus began — given the topic
given the topic–feeling incredibly awkward. She
also wanted to say she was already pregnant, that soon there would be a great–grandchild. But suddenly, Samuel cut in and said, “Having children is our business. Don’t worry about it, Grandpa.”
This angered the old man. He said, “Was I talking to you, Samuel? Having children is her duty as a Nelson wife. If she can’t even do that, what use is she to the Nelson family?”
Eliana felt like she’d been scolded. That was unfair. She stood up quickly, “Grandpa, actually I…” “I’m child–free.”
Samuel interrupted, again pulling her back down while standing up himself. “I, Samuel,” he said, as if it were an announcement, “never plan to have children. So pressuring her is pointless.”
