In other words, the couple would divorce and be set free if Serena could not blend into his circle.
Was marriage all about equal social standing?
Zack and his family never once turned their nose up at Serena. Why must Serena put pressure on herself and care about what other people think?
He believed there was no gap between them!
His word should be taken for it!
“You can pretend nothing happened since you don’t remember. Oh, there’s one thing you kept repeating all night–‘Serena, you’re not the only one out there for me.‘ Are those your true thoughts? You should go and talk to her when the sun comes out. What are you trying to accomplish by making a huge fuss about it with us?”
With his face falling, Zack bitterly smiled. “Seren said a lot to me, Nana. She doesn’t want to be a defenseless girl, hiding under my wing. She wants to be a woman standing proudly next to me.
“Serena wants to share common interests. It’s not like we don’t have anything in common to talk about. I’m not trying to raise her like a pet. She’s my wife. There’s nothing wrong with me wanting to take care of my wife financially, but she wants to get on by herself.
“There are so many women out there who want to marry me. I could have anyone in the world, but I don’t want them. Serena’s the only one for me. Why can’t she be like everyone else and enjoy all the wealth and privilege I can give her? It makes sense that she wants to be self–reliant if I can’t afford her or fail in my duties as a husband.
“I have the means to take care of her and the family. Yet, here she was, talking about being independent. She owns a shop and has an income. Isn’t that enough? I didn’t stop her from running her business. I never asked her to stay at home and be a good wife.
“Don’t I give her enough freedom? She’s my wife. No one will have the audacity to disrespect her. No one will give her an attitude. She basically has Wiltspoon in the palm of her hand with me around. I bet Elisa said something to her that started this. I knew that woman was no good. She’s out to drive a wedge between me and Serena.”
Poor Elisa, after all that good word she put in for Zack.
The attack was uncalled for.
“You got so much anger in you because Serena talked to you about that, and your true feelings were revealed when you were drunk?”
Zack responded, “Nana, I didn’t mean it. I clearly spoke in anger without thinking. You see how much I care for Serena. I’m the heir of the York family, for goodness‘ sake. I get everything I want. Sure, I made a mistake, but I apologized for it. She’s still
M–My ego was bruised, that was why everything came out wrong.
“Nana, please don’t tell that to Seren, or you’ll blow your chances of having a great- granddaughter.”
Talking about great–granddaughters, Zack suddenly expectantly uttered, “We tried to make babies after Seren’s Aunt Flo left. I wonder if she’s pregnant.”
Grandma May looked at him and said, “So what if she’s pregnant? You don’t share the same values. What’s the point if you can’t communicate well? You’re only going to fight. Zack, you haven’t gotten anything figured out.
“Do you know what kind of woman Serena is?”
Zack fell silent.
“Go to her once you really get to know who she is. Otherwise, your relationship will only go in circles. Get upstairs and change. You better stay put and give Serena some space for now.”
Zack begrudgingly said, “Why can’t I visit my wife? What if someone steals her away?”
“The whole city knows she’s Mrs. York. Who would dare cross the line and woo her?” Zack then mumbled something under his breath.
“Are you going upstairs to change or what? No one’s going to make you take a shot now if you catch a cold.”
With a sour face, Zack turned on his heels and went up the stairs.
Did he really not get Serena?
Serena felt that she did not deserve him because he was too wealthy.
Nevertheless, what was his belonged to her too.
Josh pulled up at the gate of the Soxes‘ residence. He got out of the car and checked himself out in the side mirror. Happy with his looks, Josh retrieved the gift he bought from the back seat.
He walked to the front door and pressed the doorbell.
The Soxes‘ watchdogs barked and sprung at the noise.
Seeing that it was Josh, the two hounds stopped barking and wagged their tails at him.
Josh was often around the Soxes‘ residence in the name of hanging out with Drake. His frequent visits gave Mrs. Sox the wrong idea that Josh took a fancy to Drake, but it also drew him closer to the two hounds.
Drake came to open the door.
“Are you here for me?”
Josh answered with a smile, “You wish. I’m here for your sister.”
Drake grinned. “I found out yesterday that my mom thought you had a crush on me. Haha! That was hilarious.”
“I’m surprised Mrs. Sox took it the wrong way.”
“Well, you always came looking for me. Anyway, my sister’s getting dressed upstairs. She said she doesn’t care if you come, but she hasn’t decided what to wear since getting up. Oh, women. It’s one of those no–means–yes moments.”
Josh told him off, “Don’t speak ill of your sister in front of me.”
Drake commented, “Are you on her side already?”
“Drake, is that Josh? Oh, it is Josh. Come on in.”
Mrs. Sox waited at the door.
Josh handed the gift over to Mrs. Sox and shyly uttered, “Mrs. Sox, I wasn’t sure what you and Mr. Sox like, so I bought a little something I thought was nice. I hope you’d like it.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to. Mr. Sox and I are happy enough that you came.”
Well, more like relieved–their single daughter had finally caught the eyes of a brilliant man.
Here they thought their son might marry a man. It was all a misunderstanding. That was another reason to feel relieved.
Josh stepped into the house and met Mr. Sox. Josh shyly said hello.
Mr. Sox returned a smile with a much friendlier look on his face.
Now that the air was cleared up, Mr. Sox suddenly saw Josh in a positive light.
After gesturing for Josh to sit down, Mrs. Sox told her son, “Tell your sister to come down. Josh is here. We should get going to your aunt’s place.”
“Alright.” Drake rushed upstairs to call his sister.
Mr. Sox handed Josh a cigarette.
Waving his arm, Josh replied, “I don’t smoke, Mr. Sox.”
Mrs. Sox complimented, “That’s a good habit. Jasmine doesn’t like men who smoke.”
Josh was well aware of the fact.
He smoked but only on rare occasions.
Josh kept cigarettes and a lighter handy for frequent social engagements.
Mrs. Sox poured Josh a drink before taking a seat in front of Josh. She looked at Josh with a smile and asked, “Does your family know about you and Jasmine?”
Josh thought to himself, ‘Is the meeting between the parents coming up soon?‘
Bearing an embarrassed smile, Josh answered, “I plan to let my family know when I finally get Jasmine to be my girlfriend, Mrs. Sox.”
He feared his family might scare Jasmine off with their overly keen friendliness.
“Okay. I have high hopes for you. You can do it. I have a gift for you. You’ll get an even bigger present when you call me Mom.”
Josh said with a smile, “I better work on it so I can get the bigger gift from you soon.”
“I heard that no gossip slips past your family,” Mr. Sox chimed in.
Josh replied, “That’s true. Are you into gossip?”
Mr. Sox uttered with a straight face, “Gossip doesn’t appeal to someone of my age, but you can share a little with me when we have nothing to do. I’m fine with it.”
Squealing at her husband, Mrs. Sox remarked, “Jasmine takes after him.”
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.