Since Serenity personally brought the piping hot glass of water out of the kitchen, Zachary assumed it was for him to warm himself up. Serenity was angry and gave him the snub, still refusing to forgive him. Nevertheless, her tiny gestures told Zachary that Serenity was not as heartless as she put herself out to be. With that in mind, Zachary felt a little better. As Sonny leaned forward, Zachary immediately moved the glass aside before hot water was knocked over. Sonny wanted to open the bag of snacks. Zachary pulled the bag over and opened it for him. “Thank you, Uncle Zack.” Grabbing a pack of chips from the grocery bag, Sonny gave it to Zachary and said, “This is for you, Uncle Zack. Aunt Ser said it’s tasty.” Aunt Ser rarely bought him chips, stating that too much junk food was not good for him. Yet, Aunt Ser always helped herself with a bag of chips. After Zachary took the bag of chips, Sonny dug out a few more snacks and gave them to Zachary. The little boy t
Struck by a thought, Zachary flipped the lights on and hurried to Serenity’s bedroom. He flung the door open and looked at the unchanged décor. Her things were still around. He examined her closet and found a few pieces of clothing missing. Her suitcase was still beside the wardrobe. She did not take all her things with her. Zachary sighed heavily with relief. He was so afraid of losing someone for the first time ever. Sitting on Serenity’s bed, Zachary brushed his fingers along her sheets as if he could feel her through her belongings. “Seren…” He murmured her name. “I’ll prove to you through my actions that you won’t hear another lie from me again!“You can ignore me for a year if I ever do anything to deceive or hurt you. Um… A year’s a bit long. Maybe three months.” After much thought, Zachary believed he would go crazy from three months of no interaction with Serenity. He mumbled to himself, “I think a week is fine. I lost my mind when you didn’t talk to me for a
Serenity said with a smile, “Of course, we’ll be open for business.” “They said you’ll sell the business and take it easy with life when we found out you were the missus of the York family. They also said they are willing to buy your business no matter the cost because of the good energy in your shop.” Mr. Charles added amid chuckles, “The place only has good energy because you’re there.” Did these people think they would marry up like Serenity just by taking over her shop? Nevertheless, it was not a bad idea to buy Serenity’s business. He could advertise saying that the shop once belonged to Mrs. York. “I’m still the same me, Mr. Charles. Jasmine and I put a lot of hard work into the shop. I can’t just give up on the shop after running it for so many years.” “I heard that the wives of wealthy families can’t work. Does Mr. York allow you to work?” Mr. Charles was in the mood for some gossip.Serenity kept quiet for a while before answering, “I’m a free person, Mr. Charle
Jasmine smiled. “Now this is the Serenity I know.” After parking her bike, Jasmine went to move the display racks out with Serenity. “Did Mr. York bother you afterward?” Jasmine asked with concern. While dusting off the racks, Serenity replied, “Do you think he would let me breathe and cool down for a few days?” “Nope.” Jasmine added, “Just turn a blind eye so long as he doesn’t cross the line by knocking you out and putting you under house arrest like last time. Mr. York is distressed and scared to lose you.” Serenity was without a word. Seeing that Serenity was not in the mood for a relationship chat, Jasmine took the hint and stopped diving into the topic.“Ah, the shop’s finally open. Serenity. Serenity.” The voice from the door was one to dig under Serenity’s skin. Old Mr. Hunt, leading his group of sons and grandsons, walked not the shop with big smiles. “Serenity.” Old Mr. Hunt beamed, looking at Serenity as if she was a goldmine. Man, he was blinded by the
Old Mr. Hunt said, “Fine, takeaway food it is. Serenity, don’t forget to pay the man later.” Serenity wanted to laugh. Leopards sure could not change their spots. These people were always trying to milk her in every way possible. She coldly blurted, “You order, you pay.” Serenity took a glance at the local produce John and Mike hoisted into the shop. Since the sacks were not sealed, she could see they were a bag of sweet potato and a sack of yam. Old Mr. Hunt thought he could handle the money of her business with two sacks of produce. She could not make this stuff up. Only her granddad would do such a thing. “Let bygones be bygones, Serenity. We have put the matter behind us. Don’t hold grudges. I’m your granddad no matter what. We’re more than willing to make it up to you and even make a public apology online. “I told John to draw up an apology, and it will soon be published online. “Now that all the misunderstandings are cleared up, we’re still one big happy famil
It was no secret to the whole of Wiltspoon what the Hunts had done to Serenity and her sister. The Hunts put on airs and walked around town as the in-laws to the Yorks now that they realized Zachary was Mr. York. The Hunts took shamelessness to a whole new level.“You must be kidding. The door’s right there. Get out right now!” Annoyed by their brazenness, Serenity did not want to waste her manners on them and showed them the door. John and the others fell back, but they only kept one foot out of the door.They were counting on Old Mr. Hunt to face Serenity solo. Since the old man was a senior, Serenity would not resort to violence no matter how angry she was. “Serenity!” Scowling, Old Mr. Hunt shouted Serenity’s name and waited until he got Serenity’s full attention before uttering, “We can leave but not before I get a million bucks. I can go back and look after your grandmom. I’ll take them to cause a scene at your husband’s office if you don’t give me the money. “Wi
“Just you wait. I’ll kick up a fuss at your husband’s office and demand that he forks out the money. Otherwise, I’ll ask your in-laws instead. You won’t be able to show your face there. Your in-laws will find you an eyesore and kick you out!” threatened Old Mr. Hunt. That was what he intended to do. Prior to coming, his grandsons showed him the ropes in case Serenity and Liberty hated their guts too much to pay up. Now that Serenity was Mrs. York, she must want to keep up with her appearance more than ever. Serenity would pay them hush money for the sake of her in-laws’ reputation if they brazenly cause a commotion. The Hunts could make a racket at Zachary’s office or the Yorks’ family home if Serenity refused to give them money. Serenity was not on good terms with them, but it did not change the fact that they were family. Their existence would be an embarrassment to Serenity regardless. Serenity was unlikely to gain a foothold since she married into the York family as a n
The Hunts treated the sisters more like enemies than families. “Here you are, my good grandson-in-law. Hurry up and do something about your wife. Serenity doesn’t know her manners. Without tough love from her parents, she hasn’t learned much about respect. I’m sure your family’s all about social graces since you’re an heir. You should divorce the uncultured girl. “You better keep her on a tight leash if you want to stay with her. Hit her if she refuses to listen. You need to beat her into submission. Her grandmom used to be defiant, but I gave her a beating every day until she did everything I say. “Serenity drenched my clothes. You might want to give me some money to get a change of clothes.” The stoic air around Zachary gave Old Mr. Hunt the chills. Still, Old Mr. Hunt psyched himself up to put forth his opinion without shame. Jasmine was tempted to whack the old man. A grandfather like Old Mr. Hunt was unheard of. She had a strong reason to doubt that Serenity’s father