Zack immediately checked his phone for Serena’s birthday and found it, but it was in September.
It was too long of a wait to be truthful about everything.
Although he could not remember when he got married, Zack knew it was somewhere in October.
So, the wedding anniversary was an even longer wait.
Should he try… Valentine’s Day then?
Valentine’s Day was nearing.
“Sir, your wedding anniversary is on the 10th of October.”
Jim reminded Mr. Zack.
Mr. Zack did not pay any attention to the missus at the time, so the security team had to remember the missus’s name for him. Jim and his team had to remind Mr. Zack all the time.
Jim would not count on Mr. Zack to remember a day like the wedding anniversary.
Mr. Zack was not the least bit romantic.
Zack asked, “Are you sure it’s October the 10th?”
“I remember it because of the same digits.”
It made sense to Zack now that he thought about it.
“A quick check on the marriage license should confirm it.”
Seeing that Zack was in a better mood, Jim boldly asked, “Sir, are you planning to give the missus a surprise?”
“Are you expecting me to throw you a surprise too?”
Jim replied, “I’ll get more of a horror than a surprise, Sir.”
Zack shot him a glare.
Jim bit his tongue.
Since Serena did not receive any message of Zack’s return, she went Christmas shopping with her sister.
Zack was taking Serena back to his family home for New Year, so Serena should prepare some gifts for her in–laws.
It was a polite thing to do.
“I don’t know what they’re into, Liberty, but I guess I can get some ideas of what you used to prepare for Hank’s parents.”
As Serena and her sister only had each other for years, she was there to witness her sister’s relationship with Hank from start to finish. Serena knew what Liberty usually gave her in–laws for Christmas.
Liberty replied, “Sounds good.”
She had given expensive and plenty of gifts to Hank and his parents in the past.
Although Hank was cheap with her, he was very generous with his family.
Hank would lash out at Liberty if she did not give enough.
“Dad. Dad.”
Sitting in the shopping cart, Sonny burst out in happy screams.
“Mom, Dad.”
Sonny called for Hank before turning around to tell Liberty. He even pointed Hank
out.
Hearing Sonny’s cries, Hank took notice of Liberty and her sister.
He wanted to head on over.
Next to him, Jessica immediately pulled him back.
“What are you doing? Can’t keep it together because you saw your ex–wife?” Jessica whispered in Hank’s ear before turning her attention to Liberty and her sister.
Liberty had been keeping up with the weight loss program and lost another ten pounds lately. Of course, she was still at a plump size at a hundred and seventy pounds.
Nevertheless, shedding thirty pounds showed a definitive change in Liberty.
Looking at Liberty slimming down, Jessica was reminded by the talk in the office that Liberty once had a hot body and face before walking down the aisle. It was plain to see from Sonny’s good looks.
Sonny got his mother’s beauty.
Liberty did not watch her figure after marriage and became big. The fats ruined all her assets.
Would Hank rekindle his feelings for Liberty if Liberty succeeded in her weight loss and regained her looks?
Jessica’s future mother–in–law and sister–in–law would brag about how good Liberty was while putting Jessica down. Jessica was worried Hank would go back to his ex- wife.
Liberty was once an outstanding woman.
“What are you saying, Jessica? I was going there to see my son. Sonny is my son, you know.”
Hank helplessly added, “Jessica, I got a divorce and gave up on Sonny’s custody
rights for you. Can’t I give him a hug now that he’s here?”
Jessica used to be sensible and understanding.
Now, Hank found her to be paranoid and fussing over the tiniest thing
Following Hank’s words, Jessica said, “I’m not saying you can’t give your son a hug. I just don’t want you to go alone. I need to be with you.”
She intimately wrapped her hands around Hank’s arm.
Hank dabbed her forehead amid chuckles. “Silly girl. Don’t be jealous. I divorced her because I wasn’t in love with her. Don’t listen to my mom and sister. I won’t get back. together with Liberty.”
His mother and sister believed Liberty would be a huge help to his career since Liberty now had a wealthy aunt.
Hank had to say that things were not working out for him at Waltham Electronics, but he would not leave so long as his boss did not fire him or take away his perks.
He also upped the kickbacks to earn more prior to leaving the company.
Hank needed a lot of money since he was about to marry Jessica.
Although Liberty welcomed a wealthy aunt in her life, her aunt never offered a helping hand. In fact, Liberty used Hank’s money from the divorce to rent a place to set up a restaurant.
Her aunt did not contribute a single penny and had no say in where the money went since it belonged to her.
It was the same thing when it came to parents giving their wealth to their children- they were not obligated to.
That was why people should depend on themselves to make money.
Serena and her sister watched amusedly as Jessica affectionately held Hank’s arm as Hank pushed his shopping cart toward them.
Was Jessica showing off her claim on Hank?
Only Jessica would think a two–timer like Hank was worth holding onto.
“Dad.”
Seeing that his father was here, Sonny gleefully greeted him.
Liberty was not too pleased. Sonny was never enthusiastic about seeing Hank like right now before the divorce.
After the divorce, the little man would be very happy to see Hank.
Did absence make the heart grow fonder?
Hank only stopped when his shopping cart was about to bump into Serena and Liberty’s cart. He and Jessica peered into Liberty’s cart and found gifts filled to the
brim.
There were a few wine bottles worth thousands and a few boxes of branded cigars.
Pulling a long face, Hank questioned Liberty, “It’s just you and Sonny. Why do you need to buy so much stuff? You always spend lavishly. Let me put it out there. We don’t owe each other anything. Don’t come to me looking for money when you’ve spent it all.
“One more thing–Although I’ve given a year’s worth of alimony for Sonny in advance, you must provide me with a list of expenditures to prove the money went to my son.
“You can keep in contact with Jessica if you don’t want to add my number. You can send the list to Jessica every last day of the month starting next year. I can have a look–see.”
“It should stop you from spending money needlessly.”
Hank could not break the habit of criticizing Liberty.
It was not something he could change even after the divorce.
There were a lot of expensive items in Liberty’s shopping cart. The total amount was roughly more than ten thousand dollars.
It hurt Hank to see his money disappear. Worse, he had to give a million to Liberty, and the latter was spending it everywhere.
The mother and son did not require a lot for Christmas.
Even if the items were gifts for someone else, who could Liberty give them to? It was only the Stone family.
As the second wealthiest family in Wiltspoon, the Stones had everything they needed. Liberty did not need to spend so much on gifts for them.
“You got it wrong, Mr. Brown. I’m the one buying the gifts for my in–laws, not my sister.”
Serena offhandedly added, “Even if my sister’s buying gifts, she’s not spending your money. Nobody wants your two cents.”
To think Hank expected her sister to make a note of every expense for Sonny’s upkeep.
Hank was a loser for sure!
Mrs. Brown had the nerve to persuade Liberty to get back together with Hank. Did
Mrs. Brown think her son was the last man left on earth?
It was freaking hilarious.
“Yours? Why are you getting your in–laws so much?”
Hank was surprised.
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.