Chapter 7 Mama, Do You Hate Me?

"We're a married couple; it's not unusual to share a room. Haven't you always insisted on sharing a room with me, and—" Samuel hadn't finished his sentence when Maya cut him off.

"No need to continue. Besides, apart from that one night, you've always refused to share a room. Our relationship is still—"

"You go back to your place!" Samuel warned the servant. As the servant left, Samuel opened the bedroom door.

"If you want to discuss this, come inside!" Samuel ordered.

"No. If I come in, what's the point of this discussion?"

"Maya Lin, didn't you read our agreement properly? Do you want to expose it to everyone? Do you have the money to compensate for breaching the contract clause?"

"Now you mention it. You've already exposed it." A smirk appeared on the woman's lips.

"You're unbelievable!" Samuel immediately lifted the woman. His hands held her legs and shoulders. This sudden action surprised Maya.

"Hey, put me down! Do you think I'm something you can touch as you please?"

Samuel threw Maya onto the bed. "Now, change your clothes!" He spoke loudly without any shame.

Reflexively, Maya covered her body with her hands. "We're not officially married yet, are you so desperate that you're already lusting after me?"

"Maya Lin, you're the one with the dirty mind. I want you to change into pajamas." Samuel walked to the wardrobe and tossed a pair of pajamas to Maya.

"Is this Mathilda's? I don't want things from someone who's dead," Maya immediately threw the pajamas aside.

"That's yours. I took it from your old room's closet. Don't you recognize it?" Samuel retrieved the pajamas. "Should I lend you some of my clothes?"

Maya got up from the bed and snatched the pajamas from Samuel's hand. "No need. I don't want to wear your clothes either."

Maya headed to the bathroom, and Samuel couldn't help but smirk as Maya left. Suddenly, he thought of something. "I need to discuss this with her."

***

When Maya Lin opened the door, Samuel had already changed into pajamas of a matching color, as if they were wearing a couple's outfit.

"Do you really need to wear matching pajamas? This room is just for the two of us, who are you trying to show this to?" Maya looked at him in surprise.

"Stelio might come into the room. We should present ourselves as a harmonious couple wherever we are. Come back and sleep next to me!" Samuel patted the bed beside him.

"I'll sleep on the sofa," Maya refused.

"Is the sofa more comfortable than the bed?"

"Yes, at least I don't have to be close to you."

"Come here! There's something I want to discuss with you."

Maya walked over, but instead of approaching the bed, she went to the sofa. "Talk about it another time. I haven't slept properly yet." Maya settled herself, using only a small cushion.

"Hey, can you really sleep there?"

No answer. Samuel got up and observed Maya Lin's face. He gently moved her to the bed and covered her with a blanket. His gaze was deep as he looked at her.

***

"Samuel Ren, what are you doing? Why are you hugging me?" Maya panicked.

"You're acting like a virgin girl. In the past, you always sought opportunities to hug me. Aren't you supposed to be grateful?"

"I actually feel unlucky. Remember, we're only married because of an agreement. Hey, don't forget to resolve the issue about that scandal in the morning."

"I'll do it, but you need to start showing attention to Stelio."

"Stelio? Oh, Your son? What can I do? He's already rejected me, right? The best approach seems to be to avoid him."

"Maya Lin, I brought you here to act as a proper wife and mother. What kind of mother avoids her own child just because she doesn't want to see you?"

"Mr. Samuel Ren, listen to me! First and foremost, he's not my son, so it's not my obligation. Why don't you resurrect Matilda's ashes instead?"

"Fine, if you don't want to. I won't clear up that scandal, and you won't get any job. There's no gain or loss for me either."

Maya Lin clenched her fists. "I've signed it, and you're still willing to lie to me? It's your obligation."

"Treating Stelio well is also your obligation. Remember the contract clause." Maya sighed.

"What should I do for that child? Should I kneel in front of the door and persuade him to come out? Then, should I restrain his anger if he wants to hit me because he doesn't want to see me? Is that what I should do?"

"Just do as you said!" Samuel said casually.

"Samuel, you're unbelievable! Did you bring me here just to be a scapegoat for your son? Forget it; there's no point arguing with you." Maya immediately got up, grabbing clothes from the wardrobe. "If it were Mathilda, would you let the child do as he pleases?"

"Why do you keep mentioning Mathilda? Are you trying to remind me of my deceased ex-wife?" Samuel spoke with a cold tone.

"I just want to know. Will your treatment of Mathilda be the same as what you're doing to me?"

"Maya Lin, why do you have to ask something that's already obvious? You're not—"

"I already guessed it. Anyway, nothing will change; you'll continue to treat me, whom you hate, worse than the woman you loved." Maya hurriedly entered the bathroom without hearing what Samuel was trying to say.

***

"Little Master, please, wake up quickly. You need to get ready for breakfast with Young Master and Young Madam," the nanny said, shaking the slightly chubby little boy.

"Nanny, Mama doesn't want to see me. If I eat together, Mama probably won't like it."

"How can the Little Master think like that? Are you having nightmares again about your mom hurting you? Don't worry; your father and nanny will protect you."

"No, I'm not having nightmares, but if I show up, Mama will look at me coldly. I don't want that. Don't force me; I'll eat in my room," the young master said, his face showing sadness.

"But are you sure you want to avoid Young Madam? Should I ask the young master to kick her out of this house? After all, evil people shouldn't be here," the nanny said hesitantly.

"Mama is not evil! I just don't want to see her. Nanny, don't force me." The Little Master had tears in his eyes now. His screams became louder, and he started throwing pillows and blankets at his nanny.

"Alright, I'll bring the food to the Little Master."

"I don't want to eat now; you can leave and not say anything bad about Mama again."

The nanny then left the room. As she walked out, a colleague approached her. "Is the Little Master having a tantrum again? You spoil that naughty and childish Little Master too much; you should be firm with him sometimes."

"It's okay, the Little Master is within reasonable limits."

"You're always like this," the servant said, feeling sorry for her friend. Not many wanted to take care of that naughty and childish Little Master.

"I need to go to the kitchen to bring breakfast to the Little Master."

"Hey, don't you need to report this to Young Master?"

"I'll tell him." The nanny quickly left her colleague. She collected the food from the kitchen. Suddenly, a woman approached her. "What are you doing?"

The nanny turned around and looked at a beautiful woman. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw a face so similar to the young master she served.

"Young Madam, I want to bring food to Little Master Stelio."

"Why are you bringing food? Isn't there food on the table? Is the child refusing to eat in the dining room just because he's sulking and doesn't want to see me?" Maya said with a cold tone.

"Madam, why don't you try getting closer to him? What if you start by delivering the food?" The nanny suggested hesitantly. She closed her eyes, preparing for a scolding.

"The nanny's words are not wrong." Samuel suddenly arrived and took the tray from the nanny. "Coincidentally, the chef has prepared Stelio's favorite menu. You just need to deliver it and try to talk to him."

"Samuel, it seems like you really want me to become your son's punching bag."

"You can leave, and all of you, too. I want to talk to my wife alone."

The workers quickly vacated the room, leaving only Maya and Samuel. "Maya, have you agreed to behave kindly? You're an actress; can't you act the role of a good mother?"

"I can do it in front of the camera, but what's the point of being kind right now? Samuel, I don't even get decent compensation for having to face your status-seeking son."

"So, you really don't want to? Did you forget the punishment I mentioned in the room earlier?"

Maya clenched her fists and then reached for the tray. "Fine, I'll do it. If your son still rejects my presence, then you can't force me anymore."

Maya was about to open the door, but Samuel called her. "What else do you want?" Maya asked irritably.

"Do you know Stelio's room?"

"I saw you go up to the second floor yesterday; I can still guess where his room is."

***

Maya knocked on the door gently. Loud screams made her stop knocking. "Didn't I tell you not to force me out? Go away and leave me."

"Son, do you really not want to see me?" Maya replied to the screams.

Inside the room, young Master Stelio recognized a voice that didn't belong to his nanny.

"Even though you hate my presence now, you still have to eat. I'll put the food in front of the door."

The woman's voice was so gentle. Stelio quickly realized something. "Mama? Mama, You hate me, don't you? Why are you here?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion and longing.