Chapter 121
Chapter 121
Claudia was fuming with resentment,
“Claudia, we never wanted you to leave. We always hoped you and Rupert would have a good life together,” Peyton said sincerely.
“If you really wanted that, you wouldn’t have shown up unannounced and barged into our lives, forcing your way into our home. You have no respect for boundaries. How is that helping us live a good life?” Claudia shot back.
“Your home?” Jimmy latched onto the words that displeased him the most. “Don’t forget, this house was bought by the Reed family. How much did you contribute?
“We sold our old house to pay off the debt on this one. Are you telling me that, as parents, we’re not even allowed to live in our own son’s home?”
“The property deed has my name and Rupert’s on it–not yours,” Claudia retorted.
“Claudia, you know exactly why your name is on that deed. Instead of being grateful for our generosity, you’re trying to kick us out? What kind of daughter–in–law does that?”
Jimmy couldn’t believe that the Claudia who had been all sweet and accommodating before marriage had now completely turned against them. He regretted ever putting her name on the deed.
“You forced your way into my home and expect me to just suck it up? Not happening.” Claudia was far from the soft, easygoing girl they had assumed she was.
“Claudia, we already talked to Rupert about this. He said he’d discuss it with you. We waited at the hotel for a whole week, but he never got back to us, so we came,” Peyton explained again.
“Well, if you had a hotel, why didn’t you just stay there? Why did you have to come here?” Claudia got even more irritated.
Rupert, who was in the kitchen, heard the loud argument outside. He quickly rushed out and saw Claudia standing there with her suitcase.
He stepped between Claudia and his parents, putting some distance between them. “Mom, Dad, this is my fault. I forgot to tell Claudia that you were planning to stay for a while. It’s not on her–it’s on me. I messed up.”
Rupert took all the blame, not wanting his parents to target Claudia.
“Rupert, are you seriously this scared of your wife? Are you even a man of the Reed family?” Jimmy wasn’t buying Rupert’s excuse at all.
He could already tell–his son was completely whipped.
“Mom, Dad, please, have a seat.” Rupert ignored his father’s criticism and grabbed Claudia’s hand. “Come with me.”
“Let me go!” Claudia struggled.
Rupert was much stronger than her. He half–dragged, half–pulled her into the bedroom.
He sat her down on the edge of the bed and spoke gently. “Claudia, if you’re mad, take it out on me–I don’t mind. But can you not fight with my parents? Also, you’re pregnant. Staying home is the safest option. Stop running around.
Just rest here for a bit. I’ll bring your dinner in when it’s ready.”
“Rupert, I don’t want to stay here. I want to leave: Don’t stop me.” Claudia was still determined.
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“You’re my wife. You married me, so you’re staying with me. Of course, I have to stop you.” Rupert held her close, acting clingy.
Claudia frowned and pushed him away. “Get off me!”
“Alright, I’ll go. I’ll go make dinner.” Rupert let go of her, but his eyes were serious. “Claudia, don’t leave me.”
“That depends on how you behave.” Claudia wasn’t moved at all. In fact, she complained, “If I had known marrying you would be such a pain, I wouldn’t have agreed to sign the papers so quickly.
“Rupert, we haven’t even had a wedding yet. If I let you go now, it’s still not too late.”
Rupert grabbed her arm. “Claudia, don’t say things you don’t mean. If the wedding matters to you, I’ll start planning it right away.”
“I don’t want to anymore.” Claudia shut him down. “Now, get out. I need some time to myself.”
Rupert decided to give her space to cool off. “Alright. Just call me if you need anything.”
When Rupert stepped out, Peyton came up to him. “Is Claudia okay?”
“She’s fine.” Rupert shook his head. “I didn’t think things through. Mom, Dad, please don’t get mad at Claudia. She hasn’t been feeling well during her pregnancy. She’s been having a tough time, and her emotions are all over the place. Try to be more understanding.
“She’s carrying my child–your grandchild. If anything happens to her, we’ll never forgive ourselves.”
Peyton nodded in agreement. “Honey, Rupert’s right. Let’s not argue with Claudia. Just bear with it for now.”
“She’s the one being rude,” Jimmy grumbled. “Yeah, she’s pregnant, but we’ve been nothing but good to her. We even give her a thousand dollars every month to spend however she wants.
“And now that we’re staying here for a bit, she’s turning against us? Trying to kick us out? We’re supposed to be considerate of her, but who’s being considerate of us? She’s not some damn princess. I’m not putting up with her attitude.”
“Dad, please, just drop it–for me.” Rupert didn’t want Claudia to overhear.
“For you? This is all happening because you have no backbone in front of her. Your mother and I didn’t raise you to be spineless.
“If we can’t even stay in your home, you don’t deserve to be our son.” Jimmy wasn’t backing down. “If you don’t believe me, call your sisters and their husbands. Let’s see what they think.”
“Dad, it’s really not that big of a deal. No need to get them involved.” Rupert wanted to avoid calling Lewis at all costs.
Jimmy shot Rupert a look. “I’m hungry. Is dinner ready yet?”
“I made some rice and egg drop soup. The rest is takeout–it should be here soon.” Rupert had been spoiled all his life. Cooking wasn’t his thing. If not for Claudia’s pregnancy, he wouldn’t have even learned how to make soup.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Rupert went to get the food–it was the takeout delivery. He set the bags on the dining table, and then grabbed plates and forks from the kitchen.
He plated the food. “Mom, Dad, dinner’s ready.”
Peyton walked over and looked at the three dishes and a soup. “Rupert, do you two always eat takeout?”
“Mom, I get home late from work, and I’m not great at cooking. Even this egg drop soup you taught me took me forever to get right. Tonight’s the first time it actually looks decent.” Rupert stared at the soup with a bit of pride.
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“Eating takeout all the time isn’t good for you–especially not for Claudia, since she’s pregnant. Peyton felt bad for her son, who never learned to cook.
Jimmy frowned, “This stuff is edible?”
“Dad, I ordered from a nice restaurant. It was expensive,” Rupert explained.
“Still not as good as your mom’s cooking.” Jimmy wasn’t impressed.
Peyton patted his hand lightly. “Rupert already spent the money, so let’s just eat this for tonight. I’ll cook tomorrow”
She turned to Rupert. “While I’m staying here, I’ll take care of Claudia and cook fresh, healthy meals for you both. No more takeout–it’s overpriced, unhealthy, and doesn’t even taste good. Where’s Claudia? Should I go get her?”
AD
