Chapter 2 Take Control

• At the dining table, the meticulously prepared dishes exuded a delightful aroma.
• The kids' incessant crying and shouting made the atmosphere chaotic.
• I fed my daughter with my right hand while using my left hand to coax my picky son.
• Sweat dripped down my face as my own portion of food sat untouched in front of me.
• My husband, Roger Larkin, looked on, frowning.
• “What's going on? You can't even handle something as simple as taking care of the kids!”
• No sooner had he spoken than my daughter broke another bowl. I hurried to clean up the shards.
• Arms crossed, Roger leaned against the doorframe with a look of impatience.
• “How about this? I'll hire a housekeeper. She'll be here in a couple of days.”
• A jolt of shock ran through me, as if a current had passed through my body. The memories from my past life came rushing back.
• The surprise of being reborn left me speechless.
• Growing impatient, Roger repeated his words loudly.
• I lifted my gaze to the familiar face of this man, my heart slowly filling with resentment carved into my bones.
• Since becoming a stay-at-home mother, I had handled every household chore and responsibility on my own.
• He hadn't lifted a finger to help.
• I knew his work was difficult, so I never complained.
• Now, Roger was suggesting hiring a housekeeper for the first time in our marriage—something completely unprecedented.
• I clearly remembered how in my past life, I was deeply moved by this offer, even worrying about the cost. I hadn't noticed the strange look in his eyes back then.
• However, soon after, the housekeeper became his mistress, and I died from overwork.
• My two children cheered with joy, saying they had always wanted a new mother.
• Those heart-wrenching scenes flashed in my mind.
• This time, I lowered my eyes and spoke without emotion. “Hiring a housekeeper isn't cheap, and with the current situation, I'm afraid we can't afford it.”
• Roger was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly replied, “It won't cost much. She's the younger sister of one of my business partners. I'm just helping out as a favor.”
• I efficiently cleaned up the broken pieces of the plate, still shaking my head. “Even so, it's still a considerable expense. I know it isn't easy for you to earn money.”
• A hint of urgency flashed across Roger's face, then his tone softened.
• “Sienna, it pains me seeing you like this. I don't mind spending money on you.”
• If I were the old me, I would have believed him.
• He had never said anything like this before, nor had he ever shown any actions to express care for me.
• In fact, just a few years ago, when I gave birth to our little daughter and was in confinement, I had suggested hiring a housekeeper.
• At the time, my sister-in-law was also about to give birth, and my parents were too busy to help.
• Roger's parents claimed they couldn't help due to their health.
• So, I was left to take care of two children on my own right after giving birth.
• Not long after, I fainted from exhaustion at home.
• After waking up, I cautiously brought up the idea of hiring a housekeeper.
• Roger's face changed instantly, and he exploded with anger.
• “Is it so hard to take care of two kids, do some laundry, and cook meals? Can't you even handle these simple tasks, Sienna Quinn? Are you useless?”
• I felt a lump of injustice in my heart but couldn't find the words to argue.
• Later, when Roger's company struggled, I no longer dared to bring up the matter.
• Now, he was suddenly insisting on hiring a housekeeper under the pretext of helping his friend's sister. Anyone with a bit of sense would have seen something was off.
• Which young woman would humiliate herself to be a housekeeper, serving others' needs and cleaning up after them?
• I had been so naïve in my past life, touched by his words, thinking he cared for me and loved me.
• This time, I didn't immediately agree.
• Sure enough, Roger grew desperate. He constantly nagged me the entire night, claiming he was doing it for my own good.
• In the darkness, we lay on the same bed.
• He kept on, but eventually bluntly stated that if I disagreed, it would be a direct slap to his pride and would embarrass him in front of others.
• I stared into the void of the black space, silently listening, before finally curling my lips into a faint, silent smile. “Okay.”
• This time, I was determined to take control of my own life.