- me.
I decided to give it a try.
Taking care of someone with autism is both mentally and physically exhausting. Every day, I personally prepared his meals, reminded him to take his medicine, and took him for medical check–ups. To understand him better, I bought all the books I could find about autism and studied
them late into the night.
My efforts gradually paid off. Lucas slowly got used to my presence and no longer rejected me as he had at first. I was allowed to ride in the
same car with him or sit at the same table for meals.
Knowing I liked fruit, he would personally prepare beautiful fruit platters for me. When I caught a cold due to my weak immune system, he would force me to drink ginger tea.
Time passed, and we both got used to this life. The only one unsatisfied was Mrs. Foster.
She talked to me every other day, always with the same purpose: urging me to have a child.
10:56 AM
C
Forced into a corner, I had to tell her the truth. Lucas hadn’t shown any interest in physical intimacy and wouldn’t even allow me to sleep in the same bed.
Mrs. Foster was anxious and angry. She took Lucas for a medical examination. The doctor said there was nothing wrong with his physical functions; he just couldn’t overcome his psychological barriers and accept such an intimate relationship.
“When it comes down to it, it’s your problem, Mrs. Foster told me. “Can’t you find a way to make him fall in love with you?”
I was at a loss. I didn’t even know what love was myself, let alone Lucas.
In our seventh year of marriage, Mrs. Foster gave me an ultimatum.
“The Foster family has only had one child for three generations. We can’t let the line end here. If you can have a child, do it. If you can’t, I’ll find someone else who can. But then I won’t have time to care about the Thompson family’s business!”
Faced with such a blatant threat, I had no choice but to give in.
That night, I found a romantic movie and invited Lucas to watch it with me. He agreed but left halfway through, saying it was boring.
After my shower, I changed into the lingerie Mrs. Foster had specially made for me and nervously knocked on Lucas’s door.
“I’m going to sleep,” he said.
“We can talk tomorrow.”
Lucas blocked the door, not letting me in.
“I’ve painted a new picture of birds. I was hoping you could take a look,” I said.
That’s right, to please Lucas, I had even taken up painting classes.
Lucas finally agreed to let me in, but his expression remained cold and he wouldn’t look at me.
“Where’s the painting?” he asked.
“Don’t rush. The paper is quite large, we need to spread it out on the bed.
I tried my best to overcome my embarrassment and acted seductively, like in the movies. The nearly see–through nightgown left little to the imagination.
But Lucas still had no reaction. His gaze was focused entirely on the non–existent painting.
“Stop painting,” he said suddenly.
“What?”
“I said, stop painting from now on. Your brushwork is weak, you have no talent. Even a three–year–old could paint better than you.”
I blushed, feeling extremely embarrassed.
“If I’m not good, you could teach me. I’d be the most obedient student,” I said, reaching out to touch him.
He pushed me away roughly. At that moment, the strap of my nightgown snapped.
I stood there naked in front of Lucas, like a peeled egg.
“Get out! Get out of here!” he shouted.
“You filthy woman! Disgusting woman!”
“Painting is the most sacred thing. How dare you desecrate it!”
<
I had never seen Lucas so angry before. His bloodshot eyes stared at me as if I had committed some unforgivable sin.
In the past, I would have run out immediately, terrified. But not today.
Trembling, I wrapped myself in a blanket.
“Lucas, we need to have a child. Otherwise, I won’t be able to stay here anymore.”
“Who wants you to stay here?” he spat.
“Look in the mirror. See how disgusting you are!”
“I hate you. It would be best if you never appeared in front of me again!”
“Do you really mean that?” I asked.
Even though I knew he was ill, these words still hurt me deeply. After seven years of companionship, even a pet cat or dog would have developed some affection.
Lucas nodded firmly, ignoring the tears in my eyes as he roughly pushed me out of the room.
