No matter what happened before, marriage means responsibility toward your wife.
If you can't handle that, don't get married. Don't make excuses for tying the knot or shirking your duties.
If you truly don't want to, your family can't force you to the grave.
So what Grace O'Sullivan said that evening meant nothing to him now. It was all in the past.
After a shower and some rest, Alexander Sterling let his hair dry halfway before falling asleep.
He instinctively reached out to embrace Evelyn.
Marriage is about companionship. It's also about dependence and habit. In the process of getting along, two people become one.
Evelyn was a bit busier now than before. She had to go to work, then come home to take care of her mother-in-law.
Eleanor Sterling's mood had gradually stabilized. She was no longer as irritable and restless as when she first left the hospital.
When calm, Mrs. Sterling was as elegant and dignified as ever.
Though she still had to stay in bed, her speech and reactions had become quicker.
Sometimes she even joked with Evelyn.
"Evie, I really hope you and Gray will give me a grandson to hold soon!"
"Mom, I want that too!" Evelyn replied with a smile.
Now she could answer such questions naturally. No more embarrassment or need to hide anything.
She truly felt ready to have a baby. But her stomach showed no signs, and there was nothing she could do.
She had even gone to the hospital for a full check-up. No abnormalities were found.
Since she still wasn't pregnant, it could only mean the baby's timing hadn't come yet.
Because of this, she had discussed it with Charlotte Moore.
Charlotte had said something bluntly.
"Maybe it's your Alexander who's infertile!"
Evelyn stared at her.
"Nonsense, he's perfectly healthy!"
"I'm serious. You two get along well, you're still in love, and you've both been checked. No problems. It doesn't make sense. So the only explanation is your Alexander!" Charlotte said seriously.
Evelyn looked at her in dismay. After a moment, she waved her hand.
"Impossible. Alexander gets a physical every year!"
"You idiot, does a company physical check for infertility every year?
The company isn't that thorough!
I think it doesn't matter if there's something wrong with your Alexander. Science is advanced now. If normal channels don't work, we can always go through scientific ones!" Charlotte continued.
Evelyn stared at her for a long time.
"What do you think? Are you too embarrassed to bring it up with Alexander?" Charlotte asked.
"I'm not embarrassed. I just think it's necessary!" Evelyn said awkwardly.
"How could it not be necessary!
Think about why Mrs. Sterling chose you as her daughter-in-law out of all those girls. Don't tell me it was just to cultivate love between you and Alexander, not to have more children for the Sterling family.
Sure, you two have a good relationship now. But if you can't conceive, everyone will think it's your problem. That will affect your marriage and your position in the Sterling family.
But if the problem is Alexander, no one will say a thing. Even if outsiders don't know the details, if Mrs. Sterling finds out, she won't demand anything from you anymore!" Charlotte analyzed clearly.
"It's not as serious as you say, but you have a point. I mean, let Alexander get checked too. If there's a problem, we can treat it early. But if he's fine, then we just have to wait!" Evelyn nodded.
Later, after she got home, she finally found an opportunity to tactfully suggest Alexander go to the hospital for an exam. If there was any issue, they could address it as soon as possible.
Alexander saw Evelyn's face turn red. She hesitated for half a day before he understood what she meant. He immediately laughed.
"Are you worried about my problems?"
"No, I just think it's good to get checked!" Evelyn replied awkwardly.
Then Alexander told Evelyn that his mother had already urged him to get examined long ago. How could he have waited until now?
"What were the results?" Evelyn asked.
"Do you want me to have a problem, or not?" Alexander asked half-jokingly.
"Of course, no problem!" Evelyn couldn't help rolling her eyes.
Why would she wish her husband had health issues!
Even if she had a hole in her head, it wouldn't be that big!
"Physically, there's nothing wrong!" Alexander responded.
"What do you mean?" Evelyn looked at him puzzled.
"It means there are no physical problems. But if we still can't have children, it's probably related to diet, environment, or psychological pressure. We'll just let it be. We're not in a hurry.
If you really want to rush, wait another ten years. Then you can panic!" Alexander said with a smile.
"What? In another ten years, I'll be thirty!" Evelyn muttered.
"Isn't it normal to have a child at thirty?" Alexander asked.
Evelyn looked at him and nodded.
It was true that people married later these days. Having children at thirty was normal.
It was because she married early that she was worried now.
If she went by age, she wasn't in a hurry.
So when she talked about babies with her mother-in-law, she seemed quite indifferent.
It wasn't that she didn't want a baby. It was that the baby didn't want to come. Worrying with Alexander was useless.
Fortunately, her mother-in-law was anxious but only mentioned it occasionally. She wouldn't really force them into IVF.
After all, they were still young. They had only been married for a year, counting from the registration date. If they counted from the wedding ceremony, it was less than a year!
So they weren't in a rush to go to the hospital.
After a period of rest and adjustment, Eleanor Sterling recovered well both physically and mentally.
One day, Mrs. Sterling and Alexander were drinking tea and chatting in the teahouse.
"Gray, I know these years haven't been easy for you. You've supported not just the Sterling family, but the whole clan!" Mrs. Sterling sighed.
"Mom, I'm fine!" Alexander said calmly.
"How you are, I know best!" Mrs. Sterling said, sighing again.
"Mom, why have you become so sentimental lately?" Alexander said half-jokingly.
He poured another cup of tea for his mother.
"Rascal, still making fun of your mother!" Mrs. Sterling shot him a glare.
Though her words were sharp, her eyes were full of heartache.
"Gray, I've been thinking. If your second sister and third sister insist on separating, it's better to let them. So I want to hear your thoughts first!" Mrs. Sterling continued.