Chapter 12 — Protest

It was ten minutes past 7 a.m. at the De Santos family mansion.

Leon sat with a sour expression at the end of the table. He no longer had a fever.

"Mom," he said suddenly, putting down his spoon loudly, "can I ask you something?"

Mrs. Hansel, sitting elegantly across from him, glanced briefly while stirring her tea. “Go ahead, Leon. What do you want to ask?”

“Why did Mommy pay that girl such a high price?” Leon waved his hands wildly. “Three billion a month? And there’s an additional bonus if she completes the contract for a year!”

Mrs. Hansel sighed. “Leon, Mommy has no other choice. This is for your future.”

“What future? She’s just a little girl. She’s still young. She’s a college student. It’s not appropriate for her to have a child for me!” Leon glared at his mother.

“It doesn’t matter! Giselle’s job is just to make you fall in love. Once you’re in love, you can find another woman who’s not much older than you and willing to accept your child.”

Leon snorted angrily, slamming the napkin onto his lap. “Mom, won’t that hurt me again? What if I fall in love with that little girl, then we divorce? Forget it, Mom, there’s no need for a marriage contract. Just cancel it! As for the child, we can find a woman willing to carry my child through in vitro fertilization without having to have physical relations with me.”

"It's already done! It seems like Giselle is the right girl. She's not afraid of you at all. So, you should just go through with this marriage."

Hansel took a sip of tea, then turned to one of the servants who was clearing the plates. "Lyn, where is the Young Lady?"

The servant bowed politely. "She's still in her room, Madam."

“Why? Is she sick?” Hansel asked.

“Yes, Madam. The young mistress has a sore back,” Ailyn replied quickly. “She’s been complaining about it since last night.”

Hansel nodded slowly. “Leon, please check on your wife.”

“What?!” Leon turned his head sharply. “Mom, I don’t want to. She’s probably faking it!”

Hansel glared at his son. “Leon De Santos, you’re a man. And she’s your wife—at least she’s your responsibility.”

“Mom, don’t force me—”

“Leon.” This time, Hansel’s voice was calm but firm. “If you’re still stubborn, then Mommy will just die. Mommy doesn’t want to go to the doctor anymore. Let Mommy’s stomach pain get worse so I can die quickly.” Mrs. Hansel threatened.

Leon clenched his fists, snorting again. “Alright. Leon will check on that girl.”

Leon stood up from his chair.

In the room, Giselle was still curled up on the bed, hugging a small pillow and gently massaging her waist. Her hair was messy, her face hadn’t been washed yet, and she hadn’t taken her medicine.

The door suddenly opened without a knock.

“If you’re here to yell at me again, I’ll throw a pillow at you!” Giselle shouted from under the blanket.

Leon stood in the doorway, staring at her blankly. “Calm down. My mother forced me to come here.”

“Oh, so you’re not here because you’re worried? Well, I’m so touched,” Giselle said sarcastically.

Leon walked in. “Ailyn said you have a sore back?”

“Yes, that’s right. Because of whom, do you think?” Giselle sat up, then winced. “You pushed me until my back hurt like this.”

“Well, it’s your fault for playing around with me,” Leon sat on the sofa near the bed, crossing his legs.

“But you shouldn’t have been so rough with me. My back hurts, Mr. Husband. I can’t move freely. You have to take responsibility!”

Leon held back a laugh, though his face remained expressionless. “My responsibility is just to check on you, even though I did it because my mother told me to. So, that’s it. I’m leaving now.”

“Wait a minute.” Giselle folded her arms. “Aren’t you going to apologize? Or give me money as compensation?”

Leon remained silent for a few seconds. “You’re such a materialistic girl. Besides, I don’t feel guilty.”

“Mr. Leon,” Giselle said flatly. “If you don’t apologize, I’ll tell Mrs. Hansel that you pushed me until I got hurt. Who knows, she might make you take care of me all day.”

Leon sighed deeply. “…I’m sorry.”

Giselle turned quickly. “What? I didn’t hear you.”

“I said, I’m sorry!” Leon half-shouted, but his face started to turn red.

Giselle smiled satisfactorily. “There you go. It’s not that hard, is it?”

Leon stood up quickly. “I’m leaving. Don’t think you’ve won!”

“Relax. I haven’t won yet. But I will soon, Mr. Husband. Just wait and see!”

Leon slammed the door as he left, and Giselle chuckled with a smirk.

“You can do it, Giselle.”