Zack took Serena out to look for Sonny.
Liberty did not want to face Duncan, so she stayed in the house with the elders and listened to their conversation. It was a conversation among wives, so she could not chime in.
Even so, she did not feel inferior. She knew she had not entered the circle yet. Once she became successful in the future, she would naturally be a part of the women of the high society.
“Liberty, join me for a walk.”
Grandma May wanted to talk to Liberty.
“Okay.”
Liberty smiled and stood up. She went forward to support Grandma May.
Grandma May did not need Liberty’s help anymore after she got up.
Tania and the others watched the old and young leave. Afterward, Tania said to her sisters–in–law,” Seren’s sister lost a lot of weight.”
She felt that Liberty looked much better with a bit more weight on.
Liberty had become skinny.
“Yes, she lost a lot of weight. I’ve only seen her a few times, and my impression of her was when she was still plump. It’s normal for her to lose weight after such a huge incident,” one of Tania’s sisters–in–law said.
She was referring to Liberty’s hospitalization.
Liberty’s weight had dropped to what it used to be before she was married.
She accompanied Grandma May out of the main house and walked toward the lotus pond at the old lady’s request.
It was huge. When the lotuses bloom in June, it would be a treat to admire them from the viewing point.
At this time, small lotuses were budding.
“Liberty, you know about Duncan’s liking for you, right?”
Liberty was startled for a while before she asked, “Grandma May, you know about it too?“
Grandma May smiled and said, “I could tell since long ago. Duncan didn’t admit to liking you back then. He thought he liked Sonny instead and was only nice to you because you’re Sonny’s mom. Perhaps he liked Sonny at first and had slowly come to like you later on.”
Liberty blushed and said, “Grandma May, I have no feelings for Mr. Lewis. He confessed to me, but ! politely rejected him.”
Grandma May asked, “Is it because of Mrs. Lewis? She’s not ill–natured, but her idea of an appropriate. match in terms of social status is deeply ingrained in her. Honestly, it’s good for a married couple to be well–matched, so I don’t blame her for being so persistent.”
“I also think that a married couple should be well–matched. Mr. Lewis and I are not, and I’ve never thought. of anything happening between us. I’m only an ordinary tenant who rents his shop lot.”
Liberty did not have the idea of rising to the top.
Her sister could do that due to her good fortune, but she did not want to pursue such a life.
Serena was blessed such that her in–laws and their family never disliked her, but there was also huge. pressure on her. If she and Zack did not have a good relationship, Liberty dared say that she would not be willing to bear so much pressure and would have split up with Zack long ago.
They were ordinary people who only wanted to live normal lives.
“I’ll tell you what I think. Other people might not be suitable for you, but Duncan is a good match. He comes from a wealthy family but was utterly rebellious in his youth. He ran away from home for many. years and suffered while he was outside.
“He can live the ordinary life you want with you. In terms of materials, he only fancies luxury cars and is very low–key in other aspects. He doesn’t have extravagant pursuits, so it’ll be extremely easy for him to blend into your life,” Grandma May noted.
Liberty responded after some thought, “Grandma May, I’ve experienced a failed marriage. Hank and I knew each other for over a decade, were in love for a few years, and married for more than three years. Even so, we ended in a divorce. I no longer look forward to marriage and love.
“I don’t need to marry again, and I don’t need a man to rely on. My life is pretty good now. In addition to earning money, my biggest wish is for Sonny to be successful. Marriage doesn’t necessarily bring happiness to a woman. Most of the time, it is painful and exhausting.
“A woman is often the one who makes sacrifices in a marriage. I quit my job back then to care for our baby at home–give birth and take care of our child. I became a full–time housewife, but what did I get? I was disconnected from society and lived my life around my husband and child. I didn’t have the time or mood to look presentable.
“Just like that, I accidentally became a plain–old housewife. I gave so much but they meant nothing to others. I was blamed for not coaxing our child when he cried, and I was condemned for not taking good care of him when he was sick. I was criticized for not raising our child well although I was always at home.
“When I spent money, I only spent on our small family, for my husband and my child, I was reluctant to spend money on myself. I was scolded by my husband when I occasionally bought new clothes for myself. He questioned my need for new clothes since didn’t have to socialize.
“Whenever I asked for some allowance, I was asked to spend less. I was accused of buying too many things, which he thought must be where the money was all spent on. It was as if I was greedy for money.
All in all, I always had to face my husband’s criticisms.
“He knew I had no income but asked me to split everything evenly. I sacrificed so much for our love, our marriage, and our family, but I was asked to pay for half of everything as though I took advantage of him. He wanted me to go out to work and make money, but he also wanted me to continue to be a free nanny. at home.”
Liberty summed up her failed marriage and asked, “Grandma May, if you were me, would you still believe in marriage and love? Such a thing can happen in the first marriage, let alone the second marriage.
“I don’t want to remarry–I won’t consider getting married at least in these few years. Grandma May, if Mr. Lewis doesn’t give up, I’d like you to help introduce me to a man who can act with me so that Mr. Lewis can give up on the idea.”
Grandma May said, “A woman does give a lot in an ordinary marriage. It’s fine if the husband understands, but it’ll be disappointing if he doesn’t. Perhaps this is why many women don’t want to get. married.
“There’s no rush now. You can give Duncan a chance first. If you can’t accept him after all that he does. and want him to give up, I’ll arrange for someone to act with you. I just feel that Duncan and Hank are different.”
Liberty laughed at herself and replied, “I’m traumatized after what happened. Mr. Lewis is great now but… Who knows? Hank used to be great as well. I never imagined us to be divorced.”
Things also became ugly before the divorce.
Hank became wild and cheated on Liberty with Jessica after he was slightly successful in his career and earned some money.
Duncan was richer than Hank and came from a wealthy family. Liberty could not believe that Duncan’s feelings for her would never change.
Grandma May sighed and stopped speaking for Duncan.
After all, she could not guarantee that Duncan would treat Liberty well for the rest of their lives.
“Are the Browns still pestering you?”
Grandma May changed the topic and asked Liberty with concern.
“Seren asked our grandparents to come and rented a place for them on the same floor as the Browns. The Browns have to pass by my grandparents‘ unit every time they go out. With my grandparents in the way, my ex–in–laws rarely appear in front of me nowadays.”
The old lady chuckled and said, “That’s a good idea. I don’t have a good relationship with your grandparents, but you’re still their granddaughter. They have conflicts with and grudges against the Browns, to begin with, so they’re helping you.”
“Seren gave my grandparents the right amount of money from the rent my uncle pays. She also provided them with a rental unit and paid for their food, so of course, they’ll help me.”
Liberty always felt that her grandparents would not help her if they would not benefit from it.
Grandma May commented after a moment of silence, “It’s worth it to do them a little favor to solve your problem. Besides, they’re your grandparents.”
Liberty fell silent for a while. She said after some thought, “Sometimes, I think I’m useless as a sister, always needing Seren to make arrangements and sacrifice for me.”
Grandma May responded, “You can’t say that. After both your parents died, if Seren didn’t have you as her sister, she would’ve probably been sent to an orphanage. You can imagine what kind of life she would’ve lived. You’re the older sister and a mother to her.
“Sisters should help each other without being overly concerned. Seren is extremely grateful to you.”
She took Liberty’s hand and patted the back of it. “Liberty, you’re a good person. Even if you had been lost, you’ve walked out of it. Trust that you’ll live a better life.”
“Grandma May, thank you. I will.”
When Liberty first resigned from Lewis & Co. back then and thought of starting her own business, she hoped to become rich one day. Even if it was not for herself, she wanted to do it for her sister and her son.
If she became rich and successful, she would become her sister’s backing. If her sister was bullied, she could speak up for her.
Though, the Yorks treated Serena very well.
Serena and Zack would still occasionally have conflicts. Liberty always felt useless as she could not be her sister’s backbone. Serena was always afraid of letting her know when she and Zack were at odds and not on talking terms.
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.