Serena responded, “When are we going to your family home? I bought gifts for your family. We can go in the afternoon or tomorrow, so the stuff can stay in the car. Otherwise, we’d be moving them up and down.”
After much thought, Zack said, “We’ll go tomorrow morning. I feel a bit tired since I just got back today. I should get some rest.”
The couple had been apart for three days, and he missed her so.
He wanted to spend some alone time with Serena before heading to the old residence.
“I’ll leave the stuff in the car then.”
“Alright.”
Zack had no issue with that, but he still reiterated, “Text me when you reach the neighborhood.”
“Got it.”
Serena then asked, “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up now. I’m driving.”
Zack would see her soon since Serena was on her way home. Hence, he said, ” Alright. Drive safe.”
“Sure.” Serena then disconnected the call.
“Liberty, Zack proposed to leave for his family house tomorrow. You and Sonny should come along. I think Nana and the others won’t mind. I’m not comfortable with you spending the holidays by yourselves.”
Liberty replied with a smile, “Why feel that way? I’m not a child. I can’t go with you to your in–laws‘ place.”
“Of course, you can. I married Zack, so Zack’s home is my home. Is it wrong for my sister to spend the holidays at my place? I was always at your place during the holidays and even lived with you.”
“It’s fine. Sonny and I will have a calm and quiet celebration, unlike the previous years when I had to prepare gifts for my in–laws. I got called out for being reckless with money if I gave too much and being arrogant if I gave too little. I got told off no matter what I did.”
Seeing that her sister’s mind was set, Serena said, “You can visit our aunt if you’re bored. Jasmine’s place is an option too.”
“Aunt Audrey…”
Liberty was about to say something when Mrs. Stone’s call came in.
She said to her sister, “Speak of the devil.”
Liberty accepted Mrs. Stone’s incoming call.
“Aunt Audrey.”
“Are you out, Liberty? It sounds pretty noisy there.”
“Yeah. I went shopping with Seren. Seren’s going with Zack to his family home tomorrow, so she got gifts ready for her in–laws.”
Since the stores were closed on Christmas Eve, the shopping should be done in advance.
Mrs. Stone stayed quiet on the other end of the line before uttering, “I called to let you know that the family is traveling over the holidays. We won’t be in Wiltspoon. Don’t come over, or you’ll miss us.”
“Oh, okay.” Liberty asked, “Where are you traveling to, Aunt Audrey?”
“We’re going to visit a few cities. We’d probably be back after New Year’s break. Clive is heading back two days before the office reopens.”
“When are you leaving?”
“In a bit.”
Liberty answered, “Alright, Aunt Audrey. I hope you have a great holiday.” “Thank you. Where’s Seren?”
“She’s driving. Do you have something to say to Seren, Aunt Audrey? I’ll put her on.”
Liberty was about to hand the phone to her sister when Mrs. Stone uttered, “It’s okay. Tell Seren to drive safely. Tell her not to put up with any mistreatments while she’s at her in–laws. It doesn’t matter who they are. You’re my nieces. You deserve only the best.”
Having found out her nephew–in–law was Zack, Mrs. Stone did not know how she felt about it in the last few days. She mentioned it to her son, and her son had known about it too. However, he wanted to keep it from Elisa.
Mrs. Stone did not want her daughter to know that Zack’s mysterious wife was Serena either.
Everybody was dying to find out who the missus of the York family was, not knowing that she was right under their nose.
Some even got on well with the missus of the Yorks.
Jasmine, for example, was into the hottest gossip about Mr. York. She was curious about who had won his heart and even wanted to know how his missus tamed him. Unbeknownst to her, her best friend was ‘the‘ Mrs. York.
The Stones decided to travel for the holidays only because they did not want Elisa to find out that Serena’s husband was Zack.
Serena mentioned that she would bring her husband over for a visit and introduce him to the Stones.
The way Mrs. Stone saw it, Serena would not be able to bring Zack along if the family was away and returned after the holidays. By then, Zack would be back at work. It would be hard to make time since work took up a lot of Zack’s time.
Anyway, the Stones planned to keep it from Elisa as long as they could.
Serena replied with a smile, “Don’t worry, Aunt Audrey. I won’t put up with any malice. Besides, my in–laws are really nice, and I mean all of them. We get along well.
“Zack will be there too. He won’t put me in the spot.”
Mrs. Stone happily responded, “I know you’re a strong woman. You won’t take anything lying down. I can relax knowing that. I’ve never met your in–laws, but I went and asked around. They’re very nice folks.”
Although it was a rivaling family, Mrs. Stone had to admit that the Yorks were good people.
It was not her daughter’s destiny to be a part of the York family.
Thinking about Elisa’s love for Zack, Mrs. Stone sighed in her mind. Elisa was egoistic and proud. The only man she could see as an equal was Zack.
However, Zack married Serena. Serena was not a bad choice, but she had nothing on Elisa.
Elisa was a more suitable match for Zack.
It was a pity…
God knew how Elisa would react when she learned the truth. Perhaps she could accept the fact wholeheartedly if Serena was better than her in every way.
“Aunt Audrey, I’ll take Zack to see you when you’re back from your travels.”
Mrs. Stone grinned. “Alright. That reminds me. I got you and Sonny some gifts for Christmas. We’re about to make a move. I’ll have the butler make the delivery.”
She could send Apple cash to the sisters, but the girls would not accept it. Hence, she prepared wads of cash and sent the butler for the delivery just before the family went out. That way, the sisters could not return the money even if they wanted to because the Stones were already away.
The butler would also be delivering expensive gifts to Serena and Liberty.
“Aunt Audrey, we’re too old for presents. You can just give one to Sonny.”
“I don’t care how old you are. You’re still children in my eyes. If you don’t want the gifts, you can dump them in the can.”
“We’ll accept the gifts, Aunt Audrey.”
How could they throw away gifts from their aunt?
The gifts were a nice gesture from Aunt Audrey.
After the call, Mrs. Stone handed over the presents to the butler to deliver to Brynfield. Liberty might still be staying with Serena.
Besides the Hunt sisters and Sonny, Mrs. Stone also prepared a gift for Zack.
Although it was not possible for him to become her son–in–law, her niece’s husband was still her in–law, so she was feeling a little more generous and prepared a gift for Zack too.
“Mom.”
Elisa came down the stairs, dragging her luggage behind her.
Mrs. Stone hurriedly signaled for the butler to get out.
She stood up, walked towards her daughter, and said with a smile, “Why’d you take so long to pack?”
“I had to make sure I packed everything I needed to bring, you know. Where’s Clive and the rest?”
“They haven’t come down yet.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.