Chapter 834 How Can a Woman Not Have Children?
After Gladys was satisfied with the food arrangement, she came over with a kind smile to have a quick chat with Narissa. “Just wait a little longer, Narissa. There is some traffic on the road, but Jayden’s father will be home soon. I’m sorry for the slight delay.”
“It’s fine, Mrs. Quinn. I’m not hungry yet,” Narissa answered cautiously.
“That’s good. Here, have some fruits!” Gladys enthusiastically placed the fruit platter before her.
Narissa was flattered, and despite being shy, she still took a slice of watermelon.
Right then, sounds of footsteps echoed from the door, and Jayden’s father, Harold, who hadn’t shown himself until now, finally appeared. He was holding a briefcase in one hand, and his suit jacket was hanging over his other arm. In a suit, leather shoes, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses over the bridge of his nose, he looked completely like a veteran cadre that Jayden had described him to be.
“You’re finally home. We’re all waiting for you!”
While Gladys rushed over to help him with his things, Jayden and Narissa also rose to their feet and greeted him politely.
“Dad.”
“Hello, Mr. Quinn.”
Harold had a rather stern face, but he didn’t say much. Instead, he merely calmly swept his eyes over them and nodded at the two youngsters in acknowledgment. “Let’s eat.”
After that, they sat around the dinner table, where Gladys kept piling up food on Narissa’s plate. “Oh, have more food. Just look how skinny you are! You must have been hard at work! I spent many hours on this stew, and the flavor is amazing. Give it a try!” As soon as she was free, she stared at Narissa. “What a fine lady you are. My son will be so blessed in the future!”
“Thank you, Mrs. Quinn,” Narissa answered docilely, her ears reddened by Gladys’ sincere compliment. Her bashfulness was plain to see, but that didn’t stop Gladys from smiling widely.
“When do you plan to get married?” Then, all of a sudden, Harold, who had been quiet the whole time, spoke, and the atmosphere turned serious.
Gladys chuckled lightly as she hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “That’s just how Harold is. He has no tact. Don’t take it to heart, Narissa. But honestly speaking, this is one of the things that has been bothering us for quite a while. Once you have decided, just give us a heads up, so we have sufficient time to get ready.”
“Mom, we haven’t talked about this topic yet,” Jayden couldn’t stand it any longer as he interjected.
“Aren’t we discussing it with you now?” Harold said strictly as he placed down his fork and lightly tapped the table with his finger. “You’re already in your thirties. When will you get married and have a child if not now?” Then, he paused momentarily as he glanced at Narissa and said profoundly, “A woman is considered to be in her advanced maternal age past the age of thirty. Not only is that bad for the baby, but it’s also dangerous for the mother. Aren’t you going to consider this at all?”
“I know it’s for our own good, but times are different now, and we have our own considerations. So, just stay out of it,” Jayden said helplessly.
“I don’t care what the young people are going on about now. Carrying on the family line isn’t out of time at all. You should do what is appropriate for your age. I’m announcing this right here and right now. You must have a baby within two years!” Harold pulled a long face, getting more riled up as the discussion dragged on.
As Narissa understood the elders’ concerns, she had kept her temper in check the whole time, but when she heard this, she couldn’t hold it anymore and pushed herself to her feet after setting her cutlery aside. “I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn. Thank you for your generosity today, but I’m sorry to say that I’m probably not the ideal future daughter-in-law you have in mind. I don’t plan to have a child, so… enjoy your meal. I shall take my leave now,” she said and walked toward the door.
“Narissa.” Jayden gripped her wrist as he tried to convince her to at least finish the meal.
“Let her go!” Harold couldn’t care less about this. “Is she still a woman if she doesn’t want to have a child? My son is a catch, and there are plenty of women who can fulfill that role!”
“Good lord, old man! Shut it, will you?” Gladys fidgeted nervously, turned to Narissa, and soothed, “Don’t listen to his father. It’s fine if you don’t want to have a child. Nevertheless, your relationship with Jayden shouldn’t be dictated by us. Both of you will live with each other for the rest of your lives, and nothing is more important than your happiness in the future!”
“Who said that?” Harold remained relentless. “I brought him up to this age, so he has the duty to carry on the family’s lineage. Nobody can change my mind about this!”
Narissa had gently declined Jayden and Gladys’ offer. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Quinn, but I really have to go.”
Then, she left without looking back.
Gladys anxiously gave Jayden a hard shove to give chase. “Quickly, go after her. She’s not familiar with the area here. Don’t let anything happen to her!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep a watch over her.” After he spared an angry glower at Harold, Jayden picked up his car keys and chased after her.
When they were gone, the lively atmosphere returned to its usual silent and oppressive state.
Gladys threw a disgruntled look at Harold. “You’re such an annoying old man. Why did you bring up all that when the dinner was going well?”
Still, Harold didn’t think he was at fault for voicing his opinion. “Did I say anything wrong? How can a woman not have children? Since she doesn’t want to have children, there’s no need to continue knowing her.”
Gladys shook her head at the bullheaded man. Then, she took a seat next to him and explained, “Of course, she will have a baby, but not now. Once they’re married, she can’t stop us from urging her anymore. Don’t you think so?”
“That may be true, but she clearly doesn’t want to have a child now. So why is she willing to marry into our family?” Harold was reluctant to change his views about Narissa.
Gladys pointed a finger at him in annoyance. “Look at you. You only have a one-track mind! After so many years, have you ever seen your son bring any girl home? After this, who knows how many years it will take for the next one to arrive? We should convince her and let them get married. Once a girl is married, she’ll follow her husband, and it is up to us when she’ll have a baby, right?”
At Gladys’ words, it was like a bolt of epiphany had struck Harold, but he was too obstinate to admit it. So, he headed for the bedroom. “It’s not like I’m a mind reader. I can’t read your mind now, could I? So, how can you blame me for this? I’ll keep my mouth shut next time.”
Gladys kept shaking her head and sighed. “Let’s hope there’s a next time!”
…
In the car on the way back, there were almost no words exchanged between Jayden and Narissa.
He saw that it was still relatively early, and in order to relieve the tension in the air, he decided to park the car in a mall. That way, he could accompany her shopping to lighten her mood.
Unfortunately, despite having made a huge round, not even a hint of a smile appeared on Narissa’s face. Out of wits, Jayden used the excuse to use the washroom to bring back two popsicles.
“Here, eat this. Have something sweet and forget all the unpleasant things.”
She forced out a smile as she took a popsicle. “Actually, you don’t have to make me happy. I’m not mad at you or frustrated with your family. I just think that we’re not suitable.”
“How do you know we’re unsuitable when you didn’t even ask me?” Jayden stopped in his tracks and glanced at her sadly.
Narissa turned to look at him as she asked him seriously, “So, what should I ask you?”
“You should ask if I want a child and which will I choose between you and a child,” he said firmly.
Nevertheless, after that disastrous dinner, she had pretty much made up her mind. So, instead of following his suggestion, she tried to end the relationship. “Actually, if you change a girlfriend, you don’t have to make such a cho—”
“I choose you.”
