Robert stared at them for a while, then walked past them expressionlessly, without even saying hello.
Lillian didn’t know what to say, and Conrad didn’t seem to care about him at all.
“Let’s go.”
Lillian ignored him, and Conrad continued talking. “This guy’s got terrible conditions. Doesn’t even have a house, and he’s a mama’s boy. He says his parents work in government jobs, and together they barely make 20, 000 dollars a month-probably less than the cost of your purse. You’re going on blind dates with someone like that?”
Conrad added, “They’ll try to control whether you have a son or a daughter. If the price of vegetables goes up, he’ll blame you for not being good at managing the household. And they’ll throw the fact that you don’t have parents in your face. Lillian, do you ever pay attention to the news?”
Lillian closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “Don’t drag innocent people into this.”
“Innocent? He tried to kiss you, and you still think he’s innocent?” Conrad was genuinely angry, laughing in disbelief.
“If he’s supposed to die just for trying to kiss me, what does that make you? Should I be sending you straight to hell?”
“Oh, be careful. If I end up in the hell and become the king of the underworld, the first person I won’t let go is you. Then, when you’re flying all over the world, I’ll be there, holding on to you.”
Lillian nearly threw the bread and milk at his face.
When they got home, her grandmother was already watching TV.
Andrew had brought over a change of clothes for Conrad.
Lillian told him to go into the room and change. Otherwise, with all the blood on him, it would scare her grandmother.
“Is Conrad sick? He looks so pale.”
“It’s nothing, just a little cough from the change in seasons.”
“He looks strong, but he still needs to take better care of himself.” After giving her advice, Grandma Kristin turned to Lillian and said, “Robert’s mother came by earlier and returned all the gifts we’ve sent over recently. When I asked her what was going on, she wouldn’t say a word. Lillian, did you have a fight with Robert?”
Lillian froze for a moment and then replied, “It’s just a small misunderstanding.”
“I can tell that you don’t like him much, but that Robert came to our house every day, looking hopeful. If things really didn’t work out, it was better to reject him sooner rather than later. It’s alright, I’ll talk to them later. If the date doesn’t work out, it’s not a big deal.”
“Well, don’t worry about it, Grandma. I’ll explain it to Robert myself.”
Conrad, listening from the room, sneered. At least Robert’s family had some sense.
When Lillian was taking out the trash, she passed by his room and noticed he had the window open and was smoking with his shirt off. She frowned and said, “There’s a patient in the house.”
Conrad exhaled a puff of smoke, extinguished his cigarette, and said, “You know why Robert’s mother came?”
Lillian frowned, glanced at her grandmother, and then whispered, “What did you do this time?”
“I didn’t do much. I just had Ford send him an offer from the Thomas Family Hospital. He doesn’t even need an interview; he can get formal employee benefits right away. But there’s a six-month probation period. If he can’t handle it, he’ll be fired.”
Lillian froze, and Conrad continued slowly, “I also had his father promoted to director and got his mother a new office. The whole family’s life just got better, and they won’t bother you again.”
He’d gotten them everything they wanted, so the job was done.
“What conditions did you set?”
“Stay away from your family. Simple as that.”
It was just a matter of speaking a few words.
What had taken Robert’s family their whole life to achieve, Conrad had made happen immediately.
“He can’t afford you, can’t support you. His little ‘love’ is weak compared to the benefits in front of him. You’re nothing to him when it comes to that.” Conrad said this from his elevated position.
Lillian almost couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“What’s so funny? Do you think it’s ridiculous?”
“No, what’s ridiculous is if I mocked you, Mr. Conrad, for using your power to pressure people. After all, I’ve been in this circle since I was young. I know all the unspoken rules, and all the tactics you use. Of course, if you didn’t have this kind of ability, why would someone like me stay with you for three years? We both get what we want, clear and simple.”
Conrad pressed his tongue against his cheek. “What are you trying to say?”
“I was just thinking… if a man comes into my life, Mr. Conrad, would you go out of your way to drive him away? If so, maybe I should just find your dad. He has what you have. I could just be your little stepmother.”
Conrad suddenly grabbed her chin, his nose almost touching hers, his eyes fierce and glaring at her.
“Lillian, I don’t like that. Swallow your words.”
Lillian felt a fire burning in her chest. She stared at him defiantly, unwilling to take back her words.
“You want to be my little stepmother? Kenneth, that old man is probably about to take impotence drugs. With your appetite, maybe I should serve you properly. Let’s see if you’ll be calling me a stepson or a husband then. I’ll be fine either way. Getting you, it’s all the same.”
Lillian suddenly shoved him away. “Why didn’t that bullet just finish you off?”
Conrad covered his wound and grinned wickedly. “Yeah, why didn’t it kill me? If I don’t die, you’ll be stuck with me forever, never having peace.”
Lillian took a deep breath, trying not to engage with him.
As she was about to leave, he called out from behind, “Are you going to take the pill again?”
Lillian froze mid-step. “What else would I do? Should I really have a kid for you? Can’t the women out there give you one? Or is it that you can’t have kids?”
“I’ve only made love with you. If there’s going to be a child, it should be yours. Whether anyone else can have kids or not is none of my business.”
Lillian’s expression stiffened.
“What? Surprised?” Conrad sat down and said, “Taking too many birth control pills isn’t good for your health.”
“Then why don’t you wear condoms…” She hadn’t finished speaking when she suddenly clamped her mouth shut.
Conrad smirked, “Fine, I’ll wear it. Happy now?”
“I don’t give a damn whether you wear it or not.” Lillian shot back.
“I want to take a shower.”
“…”
The old house only had a bathroom in her grandmother’s room. There was another one in her room, but the shared one didn’t have a showerhead, and she hadn’t bothered to have anyone fix it.
“I really need to shower. I didn’t yesterday, and now I feel terrible.”
“Go to a hotel and shower.”
“It’s too dirty.”
This shabby place hadn’t been maintained in years, and the hotels around here? Filthy.
He couldn’t stand it.
“If you won’t let me shower, I’ll go wash in the yard.”
Lillian took a deep breath and snapped, “Just go upstairs and shower!”
Conrad finally grabbed his clothes. “Alright.”
He went upstairs, and Lillian planned to wash some vegetables and prepare lunch, then check on her grandmother’s health.
“Mom.”
Lillian froze. As she walked out of the kitchen, she saw John and Helen coming in, loaded down with bags, their faces full of excitement as they saw her grandmother.
“Mom, you’re really awake!” John nearly burst into tears, rushing toward her as if about to kneel down.
Helen, a bit hesitant, removed her sunglasses and hat and softly called out, “Mom.”
Peter and Sophia were still outside.
Helen’s gaze landed on Lillian, who was coming out of the kitchen. Seeing the knife in Lillian’s hand, she instinctively took a step back, her expression turning sour as she stared at her.