Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Laura looked at Mia with a kind smile and said, “I had them prepare your favorite soup-clam chowder. Timothy, fill your wife’s bowl for her.”
Mia’s eyelids twitched. She wanted to reach out for the ladle herself, but Timothy beat her to it. He took her bowl and filled it for her.
As she stared at the creamy soup, she suddenly lost her appetite.
“What’s the matter?” Sharon scoffed. “My son personally served you that bowl of clam chowder. Are you turning your nose up at it?”
Laura gazed at Mia in concern. “Do you not like it, Mia?”
“That’s not it, Grandma. I quite like the soup.”
As Mia picked up a spoonful of soup, she felt a pair of eyes on her. When she smelled the soup, she instinctively frowned.
She forced herself to take a mouthful but couldn’t bear to swallow the second mouthful.
A few seconds later, Mia set down her spoon and heaved like she was about to vomit.
It was strange. Mia had always liked clam chowder, so why was it making her nauseous today?
“Mia, could it be that you’re pregnant?” Laura exclaimed in joy.
In an instant, two pairs of disbelieving eyes fell on Mia.
Mia widened her eyes in shock. She was a little panicked. How did Laura figure it out?
The sudden lurch in emotions made her feel even more nauseated. She ran to the bathroom and vomited the clam chowder she had eaten.
She felt as if she had emptied out all the gastric acid in her stomach as well. The feeling was rather unbearable.
When Mia raised her hand to get some tissue, someone passed it to her. She quickly wiped her mouth. “Thank
After turning around and spotting Timothy, she faltered and didn’t finish her sentence.
She averted her gaze and said, “I think I must’ve gotten a cold. I’ve been very stressed lately.”
Timothy’s deep voice rang out above her. “Since you have a cold, let Dr. Levin take a look at you.”
Mia’s heart rate sped up. She hastily said, “It’s just a minor cold. I don’t need to see a doctor. I’ll be fine in a few days.”
“Is that so?”
Timothy stepped forward and kept Mia caged in front of the sink. She couldn’t back away from him.
Mia looked at the blue striped tie he was wearing. He had decided to go with it after all.
“Look at me. Mia.”
Mia slowly raised her head, but Timothy got impatient and grabbed her by the chin forcefully.
With a scrutinizing gaze in his dark eyes, he asked, “Are you hiding something from me?”
Mia’s breath caught in her throat. “What are you trying to ask me, Mr. Barrett?”
Mr. Barrett?
In the past, she always called him Timothy in that timid and careful tone of hers. Now that she had a new boyfriend, she had become a lot bolder.
Timothy leaned in with a furious gaze. “What do you think I’m asking about?”
Mia slowly balled her fists and tried her best to compose herself. She replied, “I’m not pregnant. If you don’t believe me-“
“Why wouldn’t I believe you?”
Startled, Mia looked up into Timothy’s cryptic gaze. She was a little confused by what he just said.
When had he ever had so much trust in her?
Timothy continued sarcastically, “You were even getting it on with a man in a hotel last night. If you were really pregnant, how can the baby survive your night of passion?”
All the color drained out of Mia’s face. For a brief second, she had mistakenly thought that Timothy trusted her. It turned out she simply overestimated his regard for her.
She lowered her gaze to hide her disappointment.
Timothy’s voice rang out again. “Answer me. Are you keeping quiet because you feel guilty? Who were you with last night?”
Mia exhaled ever so slightly. As long as he didn’t suspect she was pregnant, she didn’t care what he thought. She responded calmly, “We’re getting a divorce now, so I don’t think I need to tell you who I spend my time with.”
Timothy tugged on his tie in frustration. “Mia, which of the things you say are true? Which ones are lies?
Back then, you claimed you married me because you liked me. What’s this now? Have your feelings changed so quickly?”
“I did say I liked you, Mr. Barrett, but I didn’t say forever.”
“Mia Bowen! Do you know what you’re saying?”
Clutching Mia by the chin, Timothy continued to stare deep into her eyes. He had suddenly realized just how little he understood her.
All this time, she remained by his side and took care of all his daily needs. It was as if she could instantly pick up on his thoughts or feelings and do what was necessary to cater to him.
Her gaze had been simple enough to read as well. She looked at him with love and adoration.
Yet, all of a sudden, that gaze had disappeared.
Timothy felt extremely displeased. The thought of her treating another man the way she used to treat him made him want to punch someone. He really wanted to find the man she was with at the hotel and beat him up!
Mia didn’t back down or retreat from Timothy. They were so close that their noses were nearly touching.
Even their breaths mingled in the air between them. The atmosphere became a little strange.
“Hey! What are you two doing in there? Mia’s pregnant, you brat. Behave yourself. Don’t get handsy with her.”
Laura had been waiting for them. They were taking too long, so she couldn’t resist coming over to check up on them, only to find them kissing in front of the sink.
Mia blushed at Laura’s remarks.
Timothy shifted to the side to look at Laura. “She’s not pregnant, Grandma.”
“How would you know, you brat?”
“She just had her period.”
Taken aback, Mia eyed Timothy. Did he remember her period cycle?
She was indeed supposed to get her period a few days ago, but it had been delayed this time.
That was why she felt like something was off and went to the hospital for a checkup. True enough, she was pregnant, though she was still in the first trimester.
Laura was somewhat disappointed. “She’s not pregnant?”
Sharon, who was standing beside Laura, scoffed, “It’s been three years since you two got married, and she’s still not pregnant. For all we know, there’s probably something wrong.”
Laura nodded. “You have a point.”
Sharon immediately jumped on the opportunity. “You agree with me, right, Mom? In my opinion, a full body checkup at the hospital is a must. Maybe it’s some kind of infertility.”
She figured that if Mia did indeed have some kind of health issue, Timothy should divorce her as soon as possible.
“That’s right. Go to the hospital and get a checkup tomorrow, brat. See if there’s something wrong with your body. Why isn’t Mia pregnant yet, even though you’ve been married for three years? Are you sure you’re doing your job as a man?” Laura questioned, to everyone’s shock.
Mia was staring wide-eyed at Laura. She didn’t know how to react.
On the other hand, Sharon’s expression instantly soured. “Mom, how can you say that about your own grandson? He’s perfectly healthy. We fed him well all these years. He’s healthier than any other man! How could he have any issues?”
Timothy’s lips twitched as he said exasperatedly, “Stop talking, Mom!”
This was only making him even more embarrassed.
Sharon refused to give up. “Tell us, Mia. Who’s the reason why you haven’t gotten pregnant in three years? Is Tim performing as a man or not?”
Mia didn’t expect Sharon to make her talk on this touchy subject. How was she supposed to answer those questions?
She couldn’t possibly tell them that she and Timothy had been sleeping in separate bedrooms all the years, could she?
Timothy never tried to have any kind of physical intimacy with her, and she couldn’t bring herself to initiate such things either. So, despite being married for three years, they never engaged in physical activities that were expected of a married couple.
The only exception was that incident a month ago. Timothy had been drunk at the time, and he had made the first move.
They did it in total darkness. Mia had been an anxious and inexperienced participant. It was her first time, and she didn’t get to see anything.
How was she supposed to determine whether his performance could be considered good enough?
“Mia, why aren’t you answering the question? Say something.”
Mia cast an awkward glance at Timothy before muttering, “W-What am I supposed to say? You should ask Timothy about it.”