Chapter 7: The Condition

No, this's not the life I wanted, I don't want to be controlled by him anymore. Kate thought to herself, then she realized there might be a way out of the situation, "Fine, I will have your baby, but on one condition."

"What is that?" Joseph was a little surprised at Kate's reaction. No matter if he like her condition or not, he needed to have a child with her. His grandpa was dissatisfied with him; he had to do something to win back his trust.

"I want money. Ten million dollars." Kate said.

"No problem," Joseph promised without the least hesitation. He didn't expect such a simple condition.

"And…" Kate wasn't finished though, she continued, "We will get a divorce after I have the baby."

Kate needed not only money but also freedom. The payment was for grandma so that they could afford the treatments she needed. The freedom was for herself. She knew she shouldn't use a child in the negotiation, but she had no choice. It was the only chance she had to get the money and freedom she needed to survive.

"Kate Smith, don't try to play tricks with me. You will never get out of my control as long as you live!" Joseph was furious with Kate's divorce demand, and the fact that she threatened them with their unconceived child.

"Fine, then we then have nothing to talk." Kate insisted, with a harsh tone.

Joseph was so used to her usual obedient, wordless attitude; she had never stood up to him before. He couldn't figure out what was happening, what had changed, and then he thought of Samuel. The rage in him grew stronger, the grip on Kate's neck got tighter, "Kate, let me make this clear, your grandma will suffer without her treatments, and your father will go bankrupt."

"I don't care. You may have money, but you can't get pregnant. You will have to explain everything to your grandpa. You can threaten me all you want; I am so fed up. Even if you say you are going to kill me, I won't have a baby unless you agree." Kate was desperate, and over their marriage, she compromised with Joseph so many times. She knew that if she gave in, it would only lead to more suffering.

Still in shock that she was standing up to him, Joseph was quiet for a long time before saying, "Okay, it is a deal."

The marriage between them wasn't built on love and trust; Joseph only married her to get revenge for Anna; he didn't love her or want to be with her. The promise of having his baby was enough for him; after that, she would be useless anyway.

**

The next morning when Joseph stepped out of the bathroom after his shower, Kate handed him a piece of paper to sign.

Joseph was shocked; he didn't expect Kate to prepare an agreement so quickly. However, he was not going to let her see his panic; he murmured, "Hand me a pen."

Kate let out a sigh of relief when she saw his signature on the agreement. She could begin counting the days until she was free.

A sense of discomfort swept over Joseph seeing Kate's pleasure.

What is wrong with me? Am I really unwilling to let her leave? NO! I am just pissed that she took advantage of the situation.

"You'd better pray to get pregnant soon, or you'll get nothing." Joseph continued.

Kate knew that what Joseph cared about was having a child, with a nasty tone, she said, "Having a baby takes two people. If you don't work hard, my work won't matter."

Damn you, stupid woman. How dare you mock me?

Then he put his head close to her ear and said in a sexy and luring voice,

"Don't worry; I'll work hard before you have a baby."

Kate blushed, and her heart was pounding out of control after hearing Joseph's comment. She quickly calmed down, knowing that he could not get to her any longer, no matter how handsome he was.

Even though it was the weekend, Joseph had to go to work. The moment he walked out of their room, Kate got up to get dressed to go visit with her friend, Lisa Green.

**

In a warmly decorated tea shop, Lisa was preparing for customers to arrive when she saw Kate getting out a taxi.

It had been a long time since Lisa saw Kate; she was worried and quickly asked, "Why are you here today? Don't you need to be with your husband?"

Kate forced a smile, said, "Joseph? Did he need me? I didn't want to stay with him." Kate told the truth, staying with that man only made her more depressed.

Lisa agreed with Kate; she nodded and said, "You're right. He didn't care about you, whatever you did for him would be pointless. Let alone the fact that he hates you so much."

As a close friend, Lisa knew Kate well; she knew how much Kate had suffered since she got married. She could do nothing but comfort her.

"I have to end this," Kate said with a firm voice. She had made up the mind.

"End?" Lisa knew how hard it would be to end; it wasn't as simple as saying it. She continued to ask, "How can you end it? What about the fact that you love him? You have nothing to argue about."

Kate explained the condition she and Joseph had agreed to the night prior.

"But, are you going to be able to leave your child?" Lisa did not agree with Kate's plan. She then continued, "Kate, I know you're fed up with Joseph. You can't wait to get rid of him, but one day, when you become mother, it may not be that easy to leave him."

Kate understood what Lisa meant, but she had no other choice. There was no way she could live under his control.

"Kate, I know how eagerly you want your freedom." Kate continued, "I just don't know if you will be as firm in your decision as you are right now when you have a baby."

"I know. Two years ago, when Anna died in the car accident, I married Joseph at the request of the marriage agreement between the two families.

I was innocent at that time, thinking Joseph would change the attitude toward me as time passed. However, I underestimated his love for Anna and his hatred for me…"