Chapter 29
I said to Enzo:
"Stop Min's studying, the child has learned too much and it's entirely unnecessary. She's only four years old, and having to learn so much could affect her psychologically."
Enzo looked at me indifferently:
"Min is my daughter, she needs to learn these basics, she can't fall behind and become a laughingstock."
"But... It's not necessary for a child." I mumbled.
He looked at me, a smirk on his face:
"Flora, understand that Min is my daughter, and her future involves inheriting a lot. These little things have to be learned. Don't inject your petty thoughts into her mind and make her lazy."
I was taken aback and startled by his words. I whispered:
"Am I... petty?"
"Yes, Flora, not only is your background lacking, but your education also has many shortcomings. You're not qualified to educate her. It's best for you to embrace being a Mrs. Robert." Enzo frowned at me and then walked away.
In front of many servants, he spoke to me like that. I stood still in the room. So, the demeaning words from the servants weren't baseless; even their master, Enzo, thought lowly of me.
After leaving the room, I overheard the servants gossiping about me. I silently reflected that it was fortunate I didn't say to Enzo the things they had said to insult me. Because if I had, Enzo might have laughed and looked down on me even more.
I remained silent, his words were not entirely wrong. Although I had a college education, it wasn't sufficient to make me a proper heir of the Robert family. Min was learning languages I had never even heard of, and she had already started speaking those languages with Enzo.
During a meal, the three of us sat together, but only two of us conversed in a language I couldn't understand. I watched the two of them happily talking in front of me, feeling a bit self-conscious but still trying to engage with Min:
"Min, what language are you speaking? It sounds very interesting."
Min looked at me, her voice full of excitement:
"This is Russian. I've learned many words from Miss Taylor."
"Really? That's wonderful." I smiled and said.
But she realized I didn't understand: "Mom, do you understand what I and Dad are saying?"
I hesitated and shook my head. I hadn't learned that language, so of course, I wouldn't understand. There was nothing embarrassing about this, but somehow, I felt awkward and inadequate.
Min seemed disappointed. She didn't say anything more to me and continued talking to Enzo. I felt as if I had been forgotten, but I quickly pushed away the sadness. I reminded myself that it was normal and I should be happy that my daughter was much more accomplished than other children her age.
But what I felt sorry for myself about was that Enzo had smirked when he saw how embarrassed I was in front of Min.
...
After the evening session ended, I sat quietly in the room, watching TV until late at night because I couldn't sleep. Although I was watching a movie, I couldn't focus. I kept staring into space until the door opened. I looked up to see Enzo. He was wearing a dark bathrobe, a few droplets of water still clinging to his hair. His strong and well-built chest was exposed before me. I could tell he had just showered, but it was already nighttime. Why was he showering now?
"Are you done with work?" I asked, not because I cared if he was done, but because I didn't like the awkward silence between us. I didn't know much about his work, but I assumed it was demanding and kept him busy. He worked all day, yet he was still in his office at night.
Enzo held a towel to his hair, nodding, "Yeah."
"Why aren't you asleep?"
I sighed and said, "I can't sleep." In truth, I was having trouble sleeping.
Enzo looked at me for a while before speaking:
"If you can't sleep, just take off your clothes and get into bed."
The calm and disdainful tone in his voice startled me and left me bewildered. I furrowed my brows, unable to comprehend his attitude. Enzo continued speaking:
"Can't sleep, huh? Well then, let's just have sex. It's not like this is something you've always longed for. Oh, not entirely correct, it's the only thing you can do, really. Hurry up and undress, don't make me wait."
I was still in a state of shock, finding it hard to believe my ears at what Enzo was saying. I had been feeling uncomfortable already, so I didn't comply with his request as I used to:
"I don't want to have sex today."
"You don't have the right to decide, I'm the one who decides. I'm not asking for your opinion, so you have no right to refuse." Enzo pulled me onto the bed, ignoring my struggles and resistance.
Engaging in sexual activities with Enzo was no longer the nightmare it used to be, but I had never taken the initiative in this matter. It felt like a duty to me, something I had to do, and Enzo repeatedly reinforced this notion:
"If you want Min to live in a complete family, you should be more understanding, don't make me angry."
Min was my only vulnerability, and he knew it well, so he often used it to manipulate me.
His patience was wearing thin, and he grew increasingly aggressive. I furrowed my brows, forcefully pushing his hand away and raised my voice:
"That's enough, don't touch me, I can undress myself."
He watched my every move as I undressed, his gaze cold and eerie, as if wanting to create a hole in me, causing me to shudder involuntarily. Despite feeling shaky and disoriented inside, I didn't stop and demonstrated my weak and feeble demeanor in front of Enzo. It wasn't that he wanted to make love, so I decided that I would go along with it; after all, it was merely fulfilling a necessary physiological need.
My nonchalant attitude during these encounters always irritated Enzo and dampened his mood. Whenever that happened, he wouldn't leave me alone; instead, he'd become more forceful, making me moan not out of pleasure, but out of pain.
"You aloof woman, make a louder sound. Isn't this the thing you're best at? Come on, moan louder, don't suppress your voice anymore!"
He slapped my buttock forcefully, causing me to let out a soft moan unintentionally, a moan that acted as an aphrodisiac for Enzo. Every time we engaged in these acts, he insisted that I moan and call his name. I didn't want to comply because I felt it made me seem even more detached and resembled a cheap woman.
Struggling, I pushed him away, "Don't... don't slap my buttock anymore... don't... AAAAA... ha... ha... hmmm... hmmm... um... mmm."
"Ha... that's right... moan louder, your vagina feels tight and warm... so pleasurable..." Enzo tilted his head back, letting out a long breath.
Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head, lifting my hand to cover his mouth so I wouldn't have to hear his depraved and lascivious words. Every time I heard those words, I felt ashamed and wanted to escape.