Arianne grunted in reply and carried Aristotle upstairs.
Mark took a deep, impatient breath, forcing himself to contain his rage. Then, he quickly strode upstairs. “Are you… angry?”
“Children don’t have great memories. He would never have displayed such familiarity if he hadn’t seen her so often. How many times have you left Smore with Janice? Look at her, she’s so good with kids. Even I, his mother, am put to shame. I’m starting to question my own child-rearing methods.”
Mark was having a headache. “No, it really was just once or twice. Smore hasn’t been to my office in a long time, and it’s not like you’re not aware. Maybe he doesn’t actually remember Janice, but he was just having fun. It doesn’t mean anything if the baby is having fun playing with her, does it? I suggested firing her, but you told me not to. What the hell am I supposed to do?”
Arianne paused in her footsteps, turned around, and looked at him. “‘What the hell am I supposed to do’? I’ve never asked you to do anything. Why do you make it sound like I’m testing your patience? Am I that intolerable to you? Do I look like I’m throwing a fit for no good reason? Yes, I’m uncomfortable. I don’t want strange women near my baby!” Especially when she attained access through him.
Mark’s expression sank. “You are throwing a fit for no reason. You’re feeling inferior as a mother compared to a strange woman because you haven’t been doing your job well. You wanted the kid, yet you’ve insisted on going back to work after having him. You spend so little time with the baby that it’s pathetic. The Tremont household has everything you could possibly want, except human emotions and comfort. I’ve never wanted my child to grow up in a loveless environment. If you’re not comfortable, then quit your damned job, come home, and take care of the baby! Yes, you have the right to talk about your dreams. I won’t stand in the way of your pursuit for your dreams. But don’t you start an argument with me or throw a fit at me over these issues! Isn’t this the life you wanted? You have total freedom to do whatever you want in the daytime, then come home and use whatever meager time you have left before bed to spend time with the baby. Even if you have to put me and this house on the back burner, and I can’t complain about that. But don’t you dare pick a fight with me over these unnecessary issues.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Dangerous Love: You Are My One and Only Bride