Chapter 415


    Hansen asked, “What’s next?”


    “Butter I thought about marrying someone you love who doesn’t love you back. Even if you marry


    him, he’s just going through the motions. You can’t escape the trials and tribtions of life. Marrying


    someone you don’t love who loves you is also bad. There must be a reason why you don’t love him.


    Living a lifetime with him would be painful. Thinking about it this way, it’s better to find a suitable


    person.”


    Hansen chuckled. “This generation of young people, they have their own thoughts. They are


    independent in thought and character. They’re much stronger than our generation.”


    Naomi added, “Times are changing, and there’s no harm in them discussing. Molly should look out for


    her future inws, and Leo needs to find a wife. Mia, an experienced one, always has a clear


    understanding. It would be a good thing for her to talk more with Molly and Leo.”


    Hansen nodded in agreement.


    The discussion only ended when Andre came home that afternoon.


    After dinner, Mia, much like a puppy chasing its tail, was orbiting around Andre.


    Mia was asking her husband for a favor. “Honey, I’m so bored. I’m stuck at home all day. I want to go


    out. I’ve toured every nook and cranny of our house. Please take me out for some fresh air, will you?


    “Even a walk around Maplewood Estates would do. I don’t want to be locked in at home anymore.


    Naomi won’t let me go out. Dad is worried about me going out. Molly can’t drive. You sent Leo away.


    Cooper isn’t at home. You’re my only hope. Please take me out.


    “I’m going mad with all this bed rest. Please, let’s get some fresh air.”


    Andre, dizzy from his wife’s relentless circling, wasn’t sure if she was feeling the same. “Alright, stop


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    spinning.”


    Immediately Mia stopped spinning, and copsed into her husband’s arms. All her weight was resting


    on him. “Honey, take me out for a stroll. I’ve been indoors for almost ten days now.”


    Andre tried to negotiate, “I have some work to do today, honey. How about I take you out in a few


    days? Is that okay?”


    Mia knew right away. It was another letdown. She got up from her husband’s arms, sighing. “You carry


    on with your work. I’m going for a walk in the backyard.”


    Mia felt like she could tten the backyard grass with all her walking. She even knew how many flowers


    bloomed in the garden.


    The next day, Andre left for work. Mia, bored out of her mind, got the hose and turned on the tap. She


    didn’t care about her big belly, and washed several cars in the house.


    When the gardener tried to trim the flowers, Mia took over with the big scissors. She snipped the nts


    with a flurry. Then she threw the scissors away and started contemting life by the fountain.


    When Molly returned from work to the Cedillo family, she saw her best friend sitting by the fountain, lost


    in thought. “What’s up, nning on taking a dip?”


    Mia replied, “I want to soak my feet.”


    “Drop that idea. This fountain was adjusted by a fortune master my father hired. It’s not to be defiled by


    your feet.”


    Mia said, “I want to y with water.”


    …


    Mia waited for her husband to take her out in a few days, but ended up staying at home bored for


    another five days.


    When Leo came home, he noticed Mia’s listlessness. She was holding her belly, leaning against the


    sofa, looking up and counting the crystals on the chandelier.


    “Mia, what’s wrong?”


    “Counting.” Mia continued her counting.


    Leo mimicked Mia’s position. He sat down, leaned against the sofa back, and looked up at thergest


    chandelier in the Cedillo family’s living room. He had just counted a few when his eyes got blurry.


    “How long have you been counting?”


    “All day.”


    Leo turned his head quickly to look at Mia. “How many days have you been home?”


    “About fifteen days.” Mia continued staring at the chandelier, unblinking.


    Leo was surprised. “Damn, go out for a walk. If you keep this up, you’ll make yourself sick.”


    Thinking of this, Mia’s grievances came up. “Nobody in the family allows me to go out. What can I do?


    Your uncle promised to take me out. I waited for him at home for several days, but he’s always busy.”


    Andre was too worried and caring too much about Mia, resulting in Mia needing someone to


    apany her whenever she wanted to go out. The driver was not trusted. The family trusted only


    Andre.


    Mia’s grievances came up, and her eyes were getting red. “I couldn’t even call my dad to pick me up.”


    She was a married daughter. If she suddenly called her father one day to ask him to take her out, her


    father would be worried sick.


    Leo got up, pulling Mia’s arm. “Let’s go. My uncle is busy. I’ll take you out for some air.”


    Mia wiped her tears, and followed Leo out.


    Leo didn’t tell anyone. He just took Mia and left their house. “Where do you want to go?”


    Mia said, “I just want toe out. Even looking at the leaves outside makes me feel better.”


    Leo said, “Then let’s pick up Molly from work.”


    He drove Mia around town. He noticed that Mia was upset with her husband. Leo said, “My uncle is too


    worried to let you go out because he cares about you too much. He’s afraid you’ll run into danger.”


    Mia opened the window, leaning on the window to look at the street outside.


    “He’s not easy either. You should understand him.”


    Mia said, “I understand.”


    Leo parked the car in front of Chade Inc.. “Get out and take a walk. Molly will be off work in a while.”


    Mia pushed the car door open, getting out.


    Leo also got out of the car. In a little while, Andre’s call came in on Leo’s phone.


    He answered, and Andre’s worried voice came. “Is Mia with you?” He was at work, but suddenly


    received a call from home, telling him that they couldn’t find Mia.


    Hearing this, Andre broke out into a cold sweat.


    Leo said, “She’s with me. I took her out for some air. She was so bored at home. She spent a whole


    day counting the crystals on the chandelier.”


    Andre was silent for a while. “Why was she counting the crystals?”


    “She’s been locked up at home for half a month. She’s pregnant and moody, but we’re constantly


    restricting her freedom. She’s got a belly full of fire for you. You’d better coax her tonight.”


    Andre was silent. He suddenly remembered that day, Mia clung to him, and asked him to take her out


    for some air, but he refused and said he would take her out in a few days. Then, so many days passed.


    “Where are you guys?”


    “In front of Chade Inc., waiting for Molly to get off work.”


    Andre said, “I’ll be there in a while.”


    Andre’s affection for his wife was always out in the open, evident for all to see. However, his


    overprotectiveness, which outsiders perceived as love for his petite wife, wasn’t what Mia desired.


    When Andre briefly left Cedillo Inc. and ventured over to Chade Inc., Mia was startled to see him


    appear. “Are you here to discuss business with Coleen?”


    “I’m here for you.”