Chapter 202
Alessia blurted out. âI know what Iâm doing, no need for you to worry your pretty little head.â
Having said that, Alessia started to change the babyâs diaper and then began breastfeeding. Anastasia chose to beat it for a while; even though they were all women, it could still be awkward in such situations.
No sooner had Anastasia left than Dana bolted in, standing next to Alessia, eyeballing her. She said, âBe careful when youâre feeding.
Donât let the kid choke.â
Alessia was already pretty cheesed off, so she shifted the direction she held the baby.
Dana followed suit, noticing Alessiaâs clothes were about to slip and cover the nipple, she reached out and adjusted it. âHeâs about to get poked in the eye.â
The moment Dana reached out, Alessia was about to blow a fuse.
This was a private moment, already uncomfortable with Dana gawking, but now she was touching. Even if it were her own mom, Alessia would find it inappropriate, let alone Dana. Alessia was barely keeping her cool. She insisted on feeding the baby. Just as Alessia was adjusting her clothes, Dana seized the opportunity to swoop in and take the baby.
âThe baby just finished eating, and needs a little back patting, otherwise he might spit up.â Dana was saying as she walked out. âIâm going to take the baby out for a spin, you chat with your friend.â
Alessia followed her out, saying, âItâs windy outside. Donât take him out.â
Dana said, âKids need to get in touch with nature, and adapt to the environment. You young people donât understand. Iâve got experience.â
Alessia was left speechless. Usually, when she took the baby out, Dana would say the baby had a weak resistance, it was windy outside, and you canât take him out. Now when Alessia said the same, Dana found a new excuse.
Anyway, whatever Dana did or said was right, and whatever Alessia did or said
wrong.
Because Anastasia was present, Alessia didnât argue with Dana, she just let her take the baby out.
âAnastasia, do you want tea or juice?â Alessia asked.
âJuice, please.â Anastasia noticed Alessia was in a bad mood and didnât say much.
Motherâinâlaw and daughterâinâlaw relations, it was a real pickle. Different parenting concepts of two generations were bound to cause conflicts.
Alessia had the housemaid bring a glass of juice. Only the two of them were chatting in the spacious living room.
Most of the conversation was about the baby. As they chatted, Alessia couldnât help but say, âI graduated top of my class, and I can hold my own in the company. But Dana is always picking on me, saying that I canât do right. Especially when it comes to taking care of the baby, sheâs constantly belittling me. Saying my diaper changing posture is wrong. The bath water temperature is either too high or too lowâ¦â
Anastasia patiently listened to Alessiaâs venting. She knew these negative emotions, if not vented, would definitely make Alessia more upset.
Alessia hadnât gotten her figure back, yet she had to breastfeed the baby at night and experienced a lack of sleep. She looked worn out, anxious, and full of negative emotions. Add to that her husband, Evan, didnât know how to mediate. The pressure Alessia felt naturally piled up.
Alessiaâs eyes started to well up. âIf the baby goes to bed late, Dana blames me, saying my lifestyle during pregnancy was irregular. If the baby has diarrhea, she blames my chaotic eating. During the days when the baby had eczema, Dana frowned all day, insisting it was because I let the baby wear too little and caught a cold. I really canât communicate with her effectively.â
Living under the same roof, like upper and lower teeth, friction was inevitable. If Anastasia wasnât married, hearing Alessia say this, she might have had a fear of marriage.
Alessia wiped her tears with a tissue, continuing, âAfter the baby was born, Dana sent Evan to sleep in the guest room, saying the baby would disturb his rest. Now, except for breastfeeding the baby, I barely touch the baby. Dana is always holding the baby, and unless the baby is hungry, she wonât give him back. It really makes me feel like the baby is hers.â
Anastasia didnât know if most families were like this, but hearing Alessia say this, she found it quite terrifying. âAlessia, youâre breastfeeding now. You probably canât work, can you?â
âI plan to go back to work next month. If Dana likes to look after the baby, she can do it. Iâve started to mix feed the baby with formula. I have to work. If I keep staying in this house, I might go nuts.â