Chapter 334
As Anastasia hesitated, she met the curious gaze of Salma. âThe doctor said it would be difficult for me to conceive.â She confessed.
âWhat?â Salmaâs complexion turned pale, âWhy would it be difficult for you to conceive?â
Anastasia explained, âThe car accident a while back injured my back. When I had my first child, complications arose, making it hard for me to get pregnant again.â
Salma was immediately worried, âDoes your husband know?â
In most marriages, the absence of a child was often a problem. A marriage couldnât be solidified by merely adopting a child. Love and novelty often faded in marriage, leaving the children as the bond that held the family together.
Anastasia nodded, âHe knows. Iâve told him about it, and he doesnât mind.â She didnât mention Hermanâs infertility, considering it was a matter of manâs dignity. Even to her mother, it was hard to bring up.
âBut what about the future?â Salma fretted, âYou guys are newlyweds now, so itâs easy to say such things. But as age grows, especially for men, theyâll want a child of their own. The Salstrom family is a big and influential one, your husband wonât be able to not want a child of his own, and your in-laws wonât agree either. Look at what happened to Gianna.â
Salmaâs worry for her daughterâs marriage was palpable. A marriage without children lacked security and assurance, Giannaâs marriage had broken down after eight years of childlessness. That was the biggest reason for the collapse.
Anastasia grew anxious at her motherâs words. What if Hermanâs infertility was cured and he wanted a child of his own? She didnât dare to think deeper, âMom, Herman wonât, I trust him.
We have Pattie.â
âBut Pattie isnât your biological child.â Salma sighed, deciding to find some home remedies that could help Anastasia to conceive.
Anastasia didnât know how to respond to her mother. Even if there came a day when their paths diverged, she couldnât stop it. For now, she and Herman were childless, and there was no point worrying about things that hadnât happened yet.
The annual celebration dinner started at seven in the evening. Herman arranged for a professional makeup team for Anastasia. At half-past six, he picked up Anastasia and they arrived at the hotel where the dinner was being held.
The soiree was filled with elite personalities from the industry, as well as top executives from Elysian Technologies. Herman chose to bring Anastasia to such an important event, intending to introduce her to everyone and assert that he was a taken man.
While waiting for the dinner to start, Anastasia was in the back room resting, while Herman was out front entertaining the guests.
Katelyn had taken Salma and Pattie to the front hall, with Feiman and Flynn arriving early as the hosts. Victor, Christine, and Lauren had also arrived. On such an important day, Anastasia had invited Monica too.
Anastasia was able to watch the dinner through a live broadcast on the TV in the rest room. The annual celebration dinner was being broadcasted live. Elysian Technologies had invited numerous celebrities for performances, including top singers.
Anastasia was somewhat nervous, as she was supposed to make her appearance when Herman introduced her to everyone. This was her first time attending such a large-scale dinner and she was so nervous she was sweating.
âAna.â Monica came looking for her, pushed the door open and exclaimed, âAna, you look stunning today. I almost didnât recognize you. Youâre going to outshine all the other women here. After tonight, youâll be the envy of women all around the world.â
Anastasia smiled, âAs long as they donât hate me. Monica, Iâm nervous.â
Monica advised, âTake a deep breath. Remember when you were the host of the cultural festival in college? Just imagine itâs like that. Besides, youâve got Herman controlling the room. All you have to do is look beautiful.â