Page 186 of Prickly Romance

“Ashanti—”

“You can’t be so clueless, Ryo. These days, women aren’t taught to be homemakers. It’s all about doing what they want for themselves. Why do you think so many ‘modern women’ are single or divorced? They don’t know what it takes to please a man.”

I refrain from pointing out that Ashanti also belongs in the ‘divorced’ category. Does that mean she did not know how to please me?

“She said it from her own mouth.” Ashanti flails her arms. “Dejonae had trouble accepting that a wife is supposed to be in the kitchen. She is neither quiet nor submissive. Your family is going to hate her. Do you think she can handle that? Do you think she’ll stick around and hold her tongue the way I did?”

“My family’s opinions did not matter when I married you and they will not matter now that I have chosen her.”

“She’s not ready—”

“She is my choice.”

Ashanti falls silent.

“You are right to say that she is headstrong, but she also knows when to be silent and when to speak. Dejonae showed an incredible amount of self-restraint tonight. Frankly, it surprised me. I was certain she would say something to you or my mother.”

“Say what? I never antagonized her, Ryo. I thought I was being perfectly welcoming.”

I fold my arms over my chest. This is a slippery slope. I do not wish to fight with Ashanti. Our relationship must remain respectful and friendly for our daughter’s sake.

Niko did not ask to be brought into this world. It is not her fault that her parents rushed into marriage without properly checking that their visions and personalities aligned. I refuse to bring any more anguish and dysfunction into her life by creating an enemy of her mother.

However, Ashanti is making it very hard to remain civil.

I fold my hands together. “We have discussed at length what you perceive as Dejonae’s wrongs. Now I would like to address yours.”

“Ryo, if you’re upset about what happened with the dumplings, that had nothing to do with me. Clearly, it was her first time making gyoza and she had no idea what she was doing. Besides, it’s not strange that you preferred my dumplings. I’ve been cooking for you for years. Some of our best times were in the kitchen as a family.”

“Ashanti, why do you keep speaking of the past as if it were perfect?”

Her eyes dart between mine. Her mouth gapes open slightly.

This attempt at playing naive does not fool me. I did not know much about Ashanti when we married. However, I learned much about her during our three years together. She is notoriously skilled at side-stepping serious conversations, especially when those conversations revolve around something she does not want to discuss.

I would often let things go rather than fight.

But this matter is too important for me to throw my hands up and let it pass.

“Ryotaro, I’m genuinely shocked that you’re out herescoldingme, when I was nothing but polite and respectful to your girlfriend. Did you want me to lay down the red carpet and bow before her? I’m not going to do that.”

“I never asked you to worship her. I simply ask that you respect her.”

“And I did. But you have to understand that this is strange for me.”

“Being uncomfortable is one thing,” I insist. “But you took it a step further.”

“How?” she shrieks.

“I will not make a list, Ashanti.” She would only find a way to explain or defend each choice. “What I want to know is why.”

“Why what?”

“Why are you behaving this way with Dejonae?”

“What way?” She throws her arm up.

I study her. Does she really not know? “You found every opportunity to make her feel as though she did not belong.”

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