Get pregnant for him??

She meekly followed his lead, pushing his wheelchair to the dining room. The several pairs of eyes focused on the couple made it obvious that their private affairs were being scrutinized.

The awkward atmosphere prompted her to rush through her meal, eager to finish as quickly as possible. Once she swallowed the last grain of rice and sipped her orange juice, she moved to leave, but the old lady stopped her.

"Mara, dear, you can't leave the table when your husband hasn't finished eating," she said kindly.

Mara nodded silently and sat back down, watching Ethan handle his utensils delicately, as if they were made of foam. His slow and gentle eating only made her more nervous and angry.

It seemed Mrs. Lewis noticed Mara's discomfort. She interjected, "Mara, my dear, don't mind Ethan eating slowly; that's just how he is... And he must be extra tired after this morning's activity," she said, smiling warmly.

"Activity? What—" Mara began, but Ethan cut her off with a cold and menacing tone, "Mom, don't make her uncomfortable. Those questions are tacky."

After what felt like an eternity to Mara, the meal finally ended, and they settled in the family living room. The old lady initiated the discussion.

"Since Ethan heeded my advice to marry the lady I chose for him, I've decided to gift you a mansion in LA. You're free to live there alone, but you'll be in charge of our family business because we're going back to London. I mean your aunt, your mother, and I," the old lady announced.

Ethan's face lit up with delight, his once-tightened expression now softened with a bright smile. "Really, Grandmother? I can go live alone and handle the company?" he asked jubilantly.

"Yeah, yeah. But on one condition. You and your wife should give me a great-grandchild soon," the old lady added before leaving.

"Thank you so much, Grandmother," Mrs. Lewis said gratefully as she followed her out.

This was a turning point for Mara; at least she wouldn't have to be under any in-law surveillance again. She smiled gently, glad to see her husband smiling too.

Later that day, Mara went to her family house. Ethan had given her the address to their new home before she left.

When she arrived, she saw Smith, her nerdy boyfriend, lurking around the old Georgian building. He became alert as soon as he spotted her.

"Mara..." he called, running towards her, but was stopped by the driver.

"Mara, did you really get married?" he asked.

"Smith, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you like this. The marriage was impromptu, and I didn't have time to tell you," she apologized.

"I've missed you so much, Mara. I was on my way to tell you something when Maya told me you were married," Smith said, adjusting his Harry Potter-like glasses.

"I've told you there's no future between us; we're different, but you're keen on me... I'm sorry," Mara replied.

"I actually came to tell you that I won the scholarship to Jiangxi University of Technology in China... And I'll be leaving next week," the nerdy guy, seemingly caught in an unrequited relationship with Mara, said.

"Good for you. I'm happy for you... Let's meet again when you come back," she said as the guy parted ways, his heart clearly heavy with disappointment.

After he left, Maya, seemingly on standby, approached her with mocking remarks. "My big sister is now ditching her childhood sweetheart for her wealthy husband."

Mara shot her a contemptuous look but refrained from replying. Instead, she walked into the house and found her stepmother seated on the couch like a queen, her father massaging her neck gently. Mara sat down gingerly and adopted a coquettish demeanor.

"Have you lost your manners now that you're married into a rich family?" her stepmother asked.

"Did I ever have any manners from your perspective? Anyway, why did you call me here?" Mara retorted arrogantly.

"You remember what I told you this morning? You must get pregnant for Ethan Lewis before I can pay for your grandmother's surgery," Mrs. Astrid stated matter-of-factly. Maya entered shortly after and smirked at her sister sinisterly before taking a seat beside her mother in support.

"That's not our agreement, Mrs. Astrid... Get pregnant for Ethan? That imbecile? This is not right, it's crazy," Mara exclaimed in frustration.

"Then you should allow your poor grandmother to die," Mrs. Astrid replied coldly.

Unable to outright refuse her persistent stepmother, Mara posed a question instead. "Why do you think he'll impregnate me? Do you really believe he loves me enough to even sleep with me?"

Of course, the old lady wasn't foolish enough to expect a pregnancy within three days of marriage. Since she had offered Mara such a favorable condition, she must have had a surefire reason for it.

"That's simple... Just do as your mother seduced my husband; seduce him too," Mrs. Astrid suggested callously.

"Not simple! What if the plan to seduce him backfires? He'll surely realize I'm doing it on purpose," Mara argued.

"Well, that's your problem. Get pregnant, and your grandmother will definitely get transferred to America for the surgery," her malicious stepmother pronounced once again.

"But honey, we can start the surgery process, and then she can get pregnant in due time," Mr. Lopez suggested, but Maya walked to his side and pouted like a child. "Dad, how can you support her instead of supporting Mum? Are my not your daughter too?"

"Come on, my princess, you're always my daughter, but we must also consider her... She's your big sister after all," Mr. Lopez replied, trying to ease the tension.

"Honey... You're not on my side anymore, right? Then fine, be on the side of your illegitimate child, and don't let me see you near our bedroom," Mrs. Astrid threatened, her tone cutting.

"Mrs. Anderson, there's no need to scold your husband for that; at least he's your husband and also Maya's father. I'll try to get pregnant for Ethan, but it will take time... You must get my grandmother's travel papers ready," Mara asserted firmly, standing up quickly yet cautiously.

"Are you leaving already?" Maya asked, her curiosity evident.

"If I'm not leaving, what business do I have here? I should leave early to help my husband adjust to our new home," Mara replied, her resolve unwavering.

"New home? What's going on?" Mrs. Astrid inquired sharply.

"We're moving from the family home to our new house. It's not your concern anyway, but at least he's now my husband," Mara retorted defiantly.

"Don't get too close to him. Remember, you must get pregnant," Mrs. Astrid reminded sternly, her eyes narrowing.