Mrs. Stone grinned and said to her daughter, “Sonny dislikes the perfume you’re using, huh? It’s fine. Let’s eat. Don’t haggle over it with a three–year–old kid.”
Elisa raised her arm and smelled herself. Indeed, she sensed the faint smell of perfume.
She recalled how Sonny disliked her scent. Since the kid could not tell that it was perfume, other people might misunderstand that she stank.
“I won’t wear perfume anymore. This way, I can save my money as well.”
Serena laughed and said, “Sonny was just talking nonsense. Elisa, don’t blame him. He’s still young.”
“It’s precisely because he’s young that he was telling the truth.”
Regarding the remark Sonny made about her smell, Elisa took it to heart.
She was particularly fond of Sonny, yet he disliked her because of her smell.
“Let’s start eating,” Mrs. Stone said with a grin.
Now that she was old, she did not wear any perfume. She found it best to be natural.
However, her daughter was still young. It was natural for her to be used to spraying perfume.
“Zack, these are just ordinary dishes. I hope you’re fine with them,” Mrs. Stone spoke to Zack politely. Indeed, the dishes prepared by the chef were nothing special. The vegetables were actually grown by Mrs. Stone in her courtyard.
Zack quickly said, “I’m not a fussy eater. I eat everything.”
Deep down, Mrs. Stone and her daughter criticized him, ‘If you’re not a fussy eater, then nobody is.”
As someone who used to be infatuated with Zack, Elisa knew his favorites very well. She knew that he was a fussy eater besides being a clean freak.”
He claimed he was not fussy only because of Serena’s presence.
During the meal, Zack was very attentive to his beloved wife beside him. He served her some food from time to time. When Sonny glanced at him occasionally, he would serve him food as well.
The kid was eating with so much gusto that his stomach became full.
After having a hearty meal, Sonny said to Mrs. Stone, “Grandaunt Audrey, your food tastes yummy. It’s as good as the food Mommy and Aunt Ser cook.”
Mrs. Stone carried him joyfully. “You should come to my house often then.”
Sonny nodded and replied, “I’ll come when Mommy and Aunt Ser come.”
Mrs. Stone wrapped the kid’s head into her arms indulgently like how she carried her younger sister back then.
“Sonny, remember my number. Whenever you feel like coming over, just give me a call. I’ll pick you up to have meals here.”
Then, she said to Serena, “Same goes for the both of you. You both hardly come over. Do it more often in the future.”
After that, she looked at Zack, who was silently staring at her niece, and added, ” Zack, you can come over with Seren when you’re available next time.”
Zack averted his gaze from his wife and said courteously, “I’ll certainly come whenever I’m available.”
He took a glimpse of the piles of invitation cards on the coffee table.
After Mrs. Stone caught sight of this little act of his, she took the initiative to say, ” Seren would like to attend the social gatherings with me.”
Based on such a concise sentence, Zack was aware of Serena’s intention. He knew that she was striving for him.
He was not the only one making an effort.
Serena was too–changing and striving together.
Much as Zack wished to maintain his current relationship with Serena so she could be happy and relaxed, he did not say anything else. She took pity on Serena as she was changing her life for his sake.
However, he could not bring himself to let her go.
He would attend social gatherings occasionally to make an appearance, but he would soon leave. As for the women in his family, everyone would admire and flatter them ladies whenever they showed up. Hence, it would be impossible for them to get bullied.
Nevertheless, there was one point Zack would not overlook, namely that his mother and aunts grew up in wealthy families.
His mother’s and aunts‘ marriages with the Yorks were considered well–matched.
At the thought of Serena’s circumstances, Zack gradually came to understand her persistence.
Zack held Serena’s hand.
To save his dignity in front of her aunt, Serena did not shake his hand off.
Zack was just holding her hand tightly without saying a word.
After staying at the Stones‘ place for a while, he had to return to the office, so he took his leave. Serena held Sonny’s hand while walking to see Zack off.
Zack walked steadily and slowly with the intention of having a talk with Serena.
“Seren, I think I don’t understand you well enough. I’ll learn more about you and put myself in your shoes,” Zack said tenderly.
“Having said that, I greatly sympathize with you. If you’re tired of learning to blend in with my circle, you can remain in your current state. I can choose not to attend any social gatherings, but I can’t afford to lose you.
“My wife doesn’t need to be at anyone’s mercy.”
“I won’t be at anyone’s mercy, but I just don’t want to be the object of ridicule and hold you back.”
Zack paused to look at her. He then said with a deep voice, “My reputation in Wiltspoon isn’t that great. When do I actually care about those things? What matters is that I’m fine with my wife’s background, and it’s none of their business. We’re not relying on them either.”
Serena’s eyes settled on him. A while later, she stretched out her hand and caressed his face gently. Then, she said softly, “We’re in the same boat, heading in the same direction. If both of us can’t face hardships together, we’ll fall into the water and fail to reach the shore together.
“Even if we can’t stand at the bow together, we must hold onto the stern and not fall into the water.
“Zack, give me some time to adapt to it. If I really can’t do it and blend in… I won’t force myself either. If you refuse to get a divorce anytime soon, I won’t force you. If you ever think that I’m a drag and dislike me, just let me know. I’ll immediately leave and not pester you.”
As long as she had done her level best, she would not regret it.
That was Serena’s mindset.
Zack could not be bothered about Sonny’s presence. He forcefully wrapped Serena into his arms and said in a husky voice, “We must never part!
“I’ve never gone back on my word. As long as you’re willing to cooperate, I’ll settle it. I can make you a shareholder of York Corporation anytime, and you’ll be the richest lady in Wiltspoon. I’m willing to work under you forever and let you get richer.”
Serena sighed silently. She eventually put her hands around his waist.
This was her first time hugging him gently since she found out that he lied to her.
Although they were hugging, their hearts were so close yet so far from each other.
He was willing to sacrifice everything for her, while she was willing to work hard and learn to be more outstanding for his sake. She hoped that she would be able to walk side by side with him one day, rather than have him drag her along.
“Aunt Ser? Uncle Zak?”
The third wheel lifted his head and blinked his big eyes. Clueless, he rested his gaze on the two adults.
Serena promptly pushed Zack away. Subsequently, she bent over and carried Sonny. She then said to Zack, “You may leave for work.”
Zack pinched Sonny’s face lightly. “You’re such a third wheel.”
“I’m going to work now.”
Zack walked out of the Stones‘ villa reluctantly and left under Serena’s gaze.
Sonny touched the part of his cheek where his uncle pinched, then he asked Serena, “Aunt Ser, Uncle Zak just called me a third wheel. My name is Sonny, not al third wheel.”
While carrying Sonny, Serena returned to the house and said gently, “Your uncle was just joking with you. You’re not a third wheel but a peacemaker.”
If she brought Sonny along to meet Zack, the two of them would control their temper and avoid conflict. This would be helpful in improving their relationship and trust in each other.
They were very concerned about the healthy environment in which the child grew up. Therefore, Sonny acted as a reconciler between the couple even though he was not their child.
“I’m Sonny.”
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.