Free Web NovelChapter 90: Complicated dinners (3)
"When is it that you will hire more workers to maintain your house when you’re away? Or is it that you can’t afford to and won’t tell me? You can always speak to your mother about financial difficulties Jane," Alice Moon, Jane’s mother said watching her daughter hurry up and down to complete dinner. "If you had a cook, dinner would’ve been done before I arrived. I raised you and your sister to be punctual when it comes to these things. At least one daughter isn’t failing me."
Jane sighed trying her best to ignore her mother’s critical words. No wonder Derek hated it whenever she comes to visit. "I’m sorry for disappointing you, mother."
"It’s not you that’s disappointing, it’s your husband. He should have provided enough money for you to have this house filled with maids, cooks, and someone doing the garden. Look at you in the kitchen working now and what is with the size of this house?" Alice looked around insulted by the choice of the house they went with.
"We didn’t need a big house when it is just the two of us and we don’t need so many workers. It’s not that we can’t afford it, we just don’t need them." Just two more hours of this. Jane had gone through worse and could deal with her mother for just two hours.
"If you could afford it you wouldn’t feel the need to work. And do I need to add that you work more than your own husband? How can he feel like a man watching you go out and work so hard every day? I knew I should’ve stopped your father from agreeing to this marriage. You had so many better suitors than Derek." Alice blamed herself for not being stern back then and doing everything in her power to help Jane find a better man. Now, look at her daughter.
"I, 2,3,4,5..." Jane started to count to refrain from talking to her mother. They had this conversation about her marriage one too many times. Sometimes with Derek or just Jane. She told her mother not to interfere in her marriage and that it made Derek uncomfortable but the woman kept pushing.
"Look at the position your sister is in. Two wonderful children, a man that gives her enough money to spend, and she doesn’t need to lift a finger."
Jane rolled her eyes and bit her tongue because her mother had never once stopped comparing the two sisters and Jane was tired of it. Her sister thought of it as a competition only because their mother presented it as one. "Dinner is ready, mother."
"About time. And why isn’t Derek here to greet me? No wonder your father doesn’t visit this house-" freēwēbnovel.com
"Father visits occasionally without you, mother. I thought he brought it up to you but I’ve been wrong. He has dinner and chats with Derek much better than you do," Jane snapped for a moment but then recollected herself. Her father was the polar opposite of her mother and liked what Jane had done for herself.
Alice scoffed knowing her husband would do something like that. How was he agreeing with the things she said when they were alone together but visited Jane and her husband alone? "Your father likes to pretend only because you are his daughter but he agrees with me about your marriage. Have you really not considered moving on to someone else? Forget the shame that comes with having a divorce. I’ll make sure no one speaks badly of you and I’m sure Vincent would guarantee it.
Jane was at her wit’s end with her mother. Any more talking and the woman will drive her crazy. How could she sit here and suggest divorce? When she was younger she put up with her mother’s ways but now she was a married woman with her own family. "Mother, please stop talking about foolish things. I am never going to leave Derek. I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks my life should be like. I am happy."
"You wouldn’t be happy if it hit you in the head. Did we not spoil you enough to show you the kind of life you should want? When you said you were going to work for Vincent, I thought that might be the chance to get the two of you together but then you went for his worker-"
"Mother!" Jane yelled harshly smacking the plate of food in her hands onto the table. "Why I sat by and allowed Derek to have to listen to this nonsense as I did for most of my life is a mystery. I have explained to you so many times why I choose to be with Derek even when I shouldn’t have to. You make it so uncomfortable for him to be here every time you invite yourself over and I’m angry with myself for waiting so late to put my foot down. Mom, you can’t come over here anymore."
"Jane, are you crazy?" Alice asked in shock that her daughter could say such a thing. What would people say if they found out she wasn’t allowed to visit her daughter’s home? All types of rumors would be made about their relationship. "Was Derek behind all of this? Is that why he can’t come here and face me? You know better than to pick a man over your mother."
"That man is my husband and I’m not picking anyone. You’ve made it difficult over the years for us to be around you. Derek has no idea I am banning you from our home and I would love it if you never approach him unless you are looking to apologize for the way you have treated him."
"This marriage has been making you lose your mind. I have been nothing but generous in offering you advice for your future so that I don’t have to worry about it. Look at your sister, I know not to worry about her. Don’t you think I have far better things to worry about than coming here to talk about your marriage?"
"No, I don’t," Jane honestly replied.
