Old Mrs. Hunt was well-known in town for her temper. She was assertive and never yielded to anyone. She insisted that her sons and grandsons were not in the wrong. God knew how long the old lady could keep up with that pride. Without any idea how her relatives spent the night, Serenity had a good night’s sleep. As morning light rolled around, she dreamed about her parents. She cried out to her mom and dad while trying to reach them but only caught air. By the time she woke up, tears had drenched her pillow. Serenity stared blankly at the ceiling for a long time before sitting up. She pulled out tissues to wipe away traces of tears on her cheeks as she mumbled under her breath, “Mom, Dad, did you know that your daughters were bullied? Don’t worry. Liberty and I aren’t the same kids from fifteen years ago. They can’t push us around anymore.” She picked up her phone for a look. Serenity muted her phone before she went to bed last night. There were multiple missed calls and u
Tensing his facial muscles, Zachary gave Serenity a warning look. “Mr. York.” Serenity asked him, “Can I kiss you?” Zachary was stumped. Had she no shame? She went as far as to ask a man this kind of question. “Your smile is gorgeous. It took my breath away. I just want to hold you and have my way with you.” “Serenity, you sure have the cheek.” “My cheeks are right here.” Serenity smacked her face with a smile as Zachary winced. “I only said that because we’re married. I mean, we’re married in the eyes of the law, so it’s not a crime to kiss you.” With Zachary pulling back a few steps, Serenity burst out laughing at his flight instincts. Zachary flew off the handle. Well, she was to be blamed for his reaction. The last time she even touched his face out of nowhere. As her roars of laughter tipped him over the edge, Zachary closed in suddenly and grabbed the chuckling girl to pull her into his arms. Zachary dipped his head forward and sealed her lips, swallowin
“You don’t have to transfer the money for the car.” Zachary changed the subject back to the recent car purchase. As Serenity did not have Zachary’s bank account details, she had been sending fifty thousand dollars to his mobile device every day. However, Zachary had not once accepted the transaction. The first transaction of fifty thousand dollars had made its way back to Serenity’s bank account. “I got you a car to uphold my public image. I might be busy with work, but there are occasions I’d need to bring you to business dinners too. It’d be humiliating for me if people were to find out that my wife rides an e-bike that could break down at any time.” Zachary saw the car as keeping up appearances. “I thought it was an apology gift,” Serenity retorted. Zachary replied after a pause, “It works both ways.” “Well, don’t give me any more living allowances for the year since you already got me a car.” Zachary lifted his chin and stared at her without saying yes or no. Se
Zachary stood at the door to the balcony and watched Serenity quietly for a minute before turning on his heel to leave for work. All this happened without Serenity knowing. Carrying his wife’s packed lunch for him, Zachary was on his way to work. Before leaving, he said to Serenity, “I’m off to work.” “Drive safe,” Serenity replied kindly. Zachary closed the door and carried two containers of food down the stairs. His bodyguard squad was waiting for him there. They were either caught standing, perching, or sitting in the greenery. Having caught sight of Zachary descending with food containers in hand, the bodyguards got on their feet and stared at him. No one drew close to Zachary. Zachary was speechless. What? Did they not recognize him because he was carrying containers of food? “Sir.” Thinking on his feet, Jim took quick paces over and attentively took the packed food from Zachary. Without a word, Jim headed straight to the Rolls Royce. Soon, the Rolls Royce
Zachary put the packed food on Callum’s desk and said gruffly, “Serenity knows we’re working in the same company. She made extra for breakfast and asked me to bring some to you. It’s not healthy to eat out all the time.” “You used to eat out all the time, Zack.” Although the meals were at their own hotel, it was still eating out. Putting down his cup of coffee, Callum eagerly took out one of the food containers and removed the lid. “I couldn’t stop thinking about Serenity’s cooking for days after getting a taste of it last Saturday.“Wow! Look at the variety, abundance, and presentation! I bet it tastes good.” Callum opened up both containers, gasping in awe of Serenity’s ingenuity. Not only was Serenity brilliant in crafts, but she had a talent for cooking too. No wonder Nana took to Serenity and insisted on Zack marrying her. She was a combination of beauty, grace, and talent. Seeing that Callum was delighted, Zachary seemingly casually said, “Serenity got up first th
Serenity was unaware that her man was a little jealous and went to the store. Since she had nothing to do there, she started making her handicrafts again.Jasmine saw that Serenity was busy making a miniature tree and asked, “Serenity, why are you always making this miniature tree lately? Is it a hot item?”Serenity just finished making the sculpture, so she stopped for a short break. When she heard her friend’s question, she smiled and said, “My online business has been doing very well recently, and the best-selling item is this miniature tree! There are so many orders for this.”“Did the netizens feel sorry for you and Liberty after looking at your response? Is that why they are supporting your online business?”Serenity thought about it for a while and said, “It doesn’t seem like it. The Hunts only put my childhood photo online, and they didn’t know my phone number or other details. The original tweet has since been deleted, and those influencers have also deleted their tweets.”
Jasmine and Serenity’s conversation was interrupted. When Serenity saw her sister and nephew walking in, she immediately stopped her work, stood up, and walked around the cashier.Jasmine was quicker than Serenity. She was already hugging and kissing the adorable Sonny. She even raised him up high, which made the little boy laugh.“Liberty, why are you here?”Serenity noticed that it was past ten o’clock. At this hour, Liberty would usually be preparing lunch at home. If Hank did not have lunch when he got home from work, he would be complaining again.“I was bored at home, so I came over to have a look. Sonny was also making a fuss because he wanted to see you.”Liberty took off her hat, wiped off the sweat on her forehead, and said, “It’s almost November, but it’s still so hot!”Wiltspoon’s fall was similar to summer, and it was not that cold in winter.It was only cool in the morning and evening. During the day, it was still sweltering as long as it was sunny.“It’s past ten
“I brought all the gifts that Serenity and Zachary bought last time into my room because I was so angry about this going Dutch issue.”Liberty sat on a chair. Serenity went into the small kitchen, took some fruit from the refrigerator, washed them, and offered them to Liberty while Jasmine poured a glass of water for her.She took a few sips of water and decided to tell them about her family troubles. She came over today because she felt aggrieved and frustrated, seeking her sister to confide in.If Liberty did not find someone to talk to, she was afraid she would fall into depression. Moreover, Liberty had known Jasmine for many years and knew that she could keep a secret.Liberty continued, “When I woke up the next day, Hank sent his family away, which I was glad to see, but before they left, they took all the gifts that Seren and her husband gave me.“My sister-in-law even took some of Sonny’s toys. I was so angry when I found out, but Hank said that we don’t lack those things,
Serenity laughed and said, “I hope I’ll be toasting at your wedding soon.”Peter replied, “I think I'll get married before Dylan does.”Dylan’s romantic path had been much more complicated because he had not wanted to follow the smooth, well-paved road that Grandma May had arranged for him.“We have lots of happy occasions lined up after Christmas, then,” Camryn remarked.“Yes, lots,” Serenity agreed.The courtyard was lively, with the elders occasionally joining in on the fun. Meanwhile, inside the house, Dylan was thinking about what Serenity had told him. She had repeatedly said that the person Grandma May picked for him would definitely be the right one, someone who would suit him well.She also suggested that he look into Imogen and that there might be a pleasant surprise in store for him, but that he was not to let Imogen know. The implication in Serenity’s words was that Imogen might be Fox and that Fox’s real identity was Imogen Doyle herself.After understanding Serenit
Dylan frowned as he pondered deeply.“The scent from outside is wafting in. I think the food’s ready. I’m going out to have a couple of skewers to satisfy my cravings. You can stay here and think things through.”Seeing that Dylan had finally grasped the main point, Serenity stopped the conversation and went out to have some barbecue. It had been a long time since she had eaten barbecue.After getting pregnant, although she was not as strictly monitored as Jasmine was, she still paid close attention to her diet and would do her best to avoid things she could not eat or had to limit. Liberty called her every few days to remind her to be careful.When Zachary saw Serenity come out of the house, he immediately picked up a plate of freshly grilled skewers to his beloved wife, saying, “I deliberately used less seasoning on these for you, so you can eat them with peace of mind. Sonny’s asleep now, right?” “He fell asleep long ago, after playing so hard today,” Serenity replied, then gr
In that case, Grandma May would not even need to step in to teach him a lesson. His older brothers would beat him up multiple times for tarnishing the York family’s reputation and dragging their names in the mud with his own.“Dylan, I told you that if you didn’t trust Nana, you’d face the consequences. Look, you’re starting to suffer now, aren’t you?” Serenity said. Who was Grandma May? She was a kind-hearted but cunning old fox who could sell someone out and still make them feel grateful for it as they counted the money she made for her. How could she pick a bad match for her grandsons? There was no way they would be unsuitable. “Serenity, it’s not that I don’t trust Nana, it’s just that I really couldn’t fall in love with Imogen. I feel like if I couldn’t fall for her in almost three months then I just won’t. And I always thought about Fox when I was with Imogen. I’m not some naïve kid who doesn’t understand what that means.” Dylan smiled bitterly. His family always compla
“Callum and Camryn came with Trenton, so they’re all having a barbecue together.”Serenity hummed in response. She closed the door to Sonny's room and said to Dylan, “Is it something you don’t want Zachary to know? If so, let’s go to his study to talk." “It’s not that. It’s fine if he knows, but I’ve talked to him, and he couldn’t be bothered. Then I asked Julian, but he said he was busy. He’s taking Ms. Crawford to register their marriage tomorrow. I just wanted a little help from him; I didn’t need him to do it personally.” Dylan grumbled a little about Julian being unhelpful.If Julian could hear this, he would retort, “Why should I help you? Even Zachary isn’t that demanding.”If it were not for the fact that Zachary and his cousin, Josh, were best buddies, Julian would not be so obliging either. Among the Yorks, Grandma May was the person the Buchams most respected. Of course, if it were something important, the Bucham family would definitely help, but Dylan’s request se
“I haven’t felt like snacking lately.”“Is the stuff made at home not to your taste anymore?” Whenever Serenity said she did not want to eat something she usually loved, Zachary would wonder if it was because the chef’s skills had declined, causing his beloved wife to lose her appetite. “It’s not that, I just don’t feel like eating them. I think maybe the baby is like you and doesn’t like sweets.”Zachary smiled. “If our son is like me, that’s fine. He’ll be steady, and in the future, the two of us will protect you.” If they had a daughter, he hoped she would be like Serenity. If she had his personality… Well, it would not be the most charming. Zachary wanted his daughter to be very likable. “I don’t need you guys to protect me, I can protect myself.”“Honey, don’t say that. I’m your husband, your man. You have to give me a chance to show off, or else people will say you married a useless husband. That would be so unfair to me.”Serenity chuckled.“Do you want to go watch So
“I can be just as considerate and attentive to you.”Quinn looked at him and could not help but laugh. “I don't mean anything else by that, you don’t need to be so defensive.”“You envy Serenity,” Julian said. “I don't want you to envy anyone. I want you to be someone others envy.”Uh, this sounded exactly like something Zachary would say. It looked like, occasionally, he really had learned a thing or two from Zachary.Quinn instantly felt smitten. She looped her arm through Julian's and whispered, “I already am someone others envy. I’m not envious of Serenity—I was just making an observation. They say Mr. Zachary dotes on his wife, and Serenity is very lucky. Now that I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes, I believe it. So, I genuinely sighed with admiration. I know I’m very lucky as well. You treat me so well, and I am content. I really don’t envy anyone.”The young couple’s conversation went unnoticed by Zachary. He waited for his wife to settle before answering a call from Dylan.
“Well, Rowan can play for a couple of days, but he has to start working on his homework soon. The college entrance exam is around the corner, and we can't let him relax too much.”“Rowan's grades are very stable and good. It won’t be hard for him to get into college, so don't put too much pressure on him. It's not necessary for him to get into the same university you and the others went to.”Serenity still remembered the pressure she had felt in high school, though it was not as much as Rowan felt, and her sister's expectations for her were more relaxed; she was only expected to do her best. No matter what the results were, Liberty would accept it. Of course, if she could get into an Ivy League university, that would be great. Otherwise, getting into an Ivy Plus university would also be fine. If that did not work out, she could go to a public university or even take a gap year. Liberty would have been okay with any of it. Her sister always told her that as long as she was physica
Zachary would not do such a thing. Julian laughed. “It’s my first time getting married. I’m asking around because I’m inexperienced. That way, I can make a plan.”Zachary turned to look at him. He said, “How many more times do you intend to get married? I didn’t have any experience either back then. It was my first time going to City Hall. Besides, Seren and I got married in a rush and did not even know each other well. After getting our marriage license, I completely forgot that I was a married man.“You’re in a better situation than I was. At least you and Quinn have feelings for each other and a stable relationship.”Julian chuckled. He caught up to Zachary and placed his arm on his shoulder. He said, “We all know what we should avoid after you’ve set an example.”Zachary was speechless. “You and Serenity are an enviable couple now.“I want to learn from you and make people jealous of Quinn as well.”Zachary brushed Julian’s hand off. “I think you’ll do a better job than m
Zachary and Julian exited the house with two housekeepers behind them, holding a tray each with snacks and drinks. The two men had excellent eyesight and quickly spotted the love of their lives sitting at a bench some distance away. Zachary knew that it was because Serenity got tired from walking. In the past, some pregnant female employees would return to work despite being pretty far along in their pregnancies. Their workload was only slightly lighter. Since Zachary had seen those employees insisting on working even though they were pregnant, he used to think being pregnant and giving birth were not that difficult. He had never put himself in the shoes of the female employees. They insisted on working because they feared being replaced if they took an extended maternity leave. When they returned, they could be discriminated against and had to start all over again. While there were opportunities to be promoted in a megacorporation, one had to climb the corporate ladder ste