“Your stepfather wants me to marry you. They must think I’m not for it and will use it as leverage to get your sister out of jail. Well, they have another thing coming.”
Callum was a proud member of the York family. He was not one to be messed with.
Mr. and Mrs. Newman must be desperate to try anything.
They adored Carrie so much.
“What do you think about me marrying you?”
“Huh?” Camryn was stunned.
“It’s hard to collect evidence on your own. I can get easy access in and out of the Newmans’ residence when I marry you and become part of the family. That way, I can help you gather proof. One day, they will be brought to justice, and I can avenge my father-in-law.”
Callum believed his father-in-law must be rolling over in his grave since the latter’s brother slept with his wife and abused his daughter. One night, his father-in-law would come back to haunt Mr. Newman.
As the son-in-law, Callum had the duty to help in avenging his father-in-law.
Camryn was speechless.
She was at a total loss for words.
Meanwhile, it was soon closing time at Liberty’s diner at around ten o’clock; time to tidy up.
After the last batch of customers left, Liberty and her two employees cleaned up the place.
While she was busy, her clingy ex-husband appeared on site.
Hank was with Jessica as always.
With their wedding date around the corner, Hank and Jessica showed up together unless Hank was out driving an Uber.
“Liberty, where’s Sonny?”
It was the first thing Hank asked when he stepped into the diner.
“I want to take Sonny to try out a suit,” Hank stated his intention.
Liberty stopped wiping down the stove and gazed up at her ex-husband. She faintly said, “Didn’t I tell you Sonny’s size? You can rent him a tux or get him a new one with the size.”
There was no need to take Sonny with him.
She gave Jessica a few glances.
Jessica had no qualms jumping in, “Sonny should pick what he likes, Liberty. Our taste as adults might be different than the kids’.”
She added, “Hank and I are just taking Sonny out to try on some clothes. We’ll deliver Sonny right back to you after that. You’re cleaning up. We’ll be back around the same time you’re done.
“It doesn’t take long. The formal wear rental place isn’t far from here. It’s a ten-minute drive.” Echoing his wife’s thoughts, Hank said, “Are you trying to take time away from me and Sonny, Liberty? Sonny is my son too. We had an agreement that I can meet with Sonny whenever I want.
“I’m not saying I won’t bring Sonny back. He’s only going to pick an outfit as the flower boy. Didn’t you talk to Sonny about it? I’ll talk to him if you haven’t. There’s nothing I can’t share with my son. “You’re refusing visitation if you’re not letting me take Sonny for a fitting. It’s a violation of the agreement. I can go to court and fight for Sonny’s custody.”
Even though there was a possibility Hank could not win, he was glad so long as he could annoy and drive Liberty crazy.
Hank’s mental state was heading in an unhealthy direction as things got better for Liberty in life.
He could not help but make Liberty jump through hoops.
For example, Hank could buy a mini suit for their son, but with Jessica egging him on, Hank believed Liberty was deliberately driving a wedge between him and his son. Liberty refused to let him see his son.
Hence, Hank insisted on taking Sonny to try out clothes.
He made a huge fuss the moment Liberty disagreed with him.
“Where’s Sonny? Where did you hide him?”
Hank looked around the breakfast diner, but his son was nowhere to be found.
“Did you hide Sonny at Serena’s place?”
That was not right. Serena’s bookshop was closed for two days.
He had been to the bookshop.
“Sonny is in a class. He’ll be back soon.”
Liberty faintly added, “I’m not stopping you from meeting with Sonny, Hank. If you really want to take Sonny along, then fine. I’m almost done anyway. I’ll go with you when Sonny is finished with his class.”
Jessica quietly gave Hank a tug, stopping Hank from giving his further two cents. Jessica uttered, “Are you sure you want to go, Liberty? I have not picked my wedding gown. I might need. your opinion on a few things.”
She wanted Liberty to witness her being Hank’s beautiful bride in a lovely white dress.
It would only upset Liberty.
“I only care about my son.”
Liberty could not be bothered to give Jessica the time of day.
It was not hard to guess what was on Jessica’s mind, and it amused Liberty to no end.
Liberty made a great decision to divorce a man like Hank at the earliest possible.
It was not as though Jessica was in the dark about Hank and the Browns’ qualities. Still, she was determined to have a wedding with Hank. Well, she would regret it someday.
“What sort of class is Sonny taking? Did you enroll him in a kindergarten already?” Hank questioned.
Liberty continued cleaning. “Zack hired a self-defense instructor for Sonny. He’s learning the basics in the gym. His kindergarten will start in September.”
“Who’s paying?”
Hank believed that it was wise for boys to learn how to fight.
All that mattered to him was the person footing the bill.
Liberty did not cast him a glance. “Not you anyway.”
“I only cover the child support, and I paid you a year in advance. You agreed that you won’t seek me for other expenses. I’m not paying, and I’m putting my foot down.”
Business as an Uber driver was slow. It could not be compared to the quick bucks he earned from his side job when he was a manager. Now that his income was low, Hank attached a lot of importance to money.
Besides, he had a wedding and honeymoon coming up. Both occasions required a lot of money. If only he had more.
It was a good thing Jessica was hell-bent on spending the rest of her life with him. Hank saved a lot for the financial gift to her parents.
Hank pulled Jessica to sit down at a table as they waited for his son’s return. They could then bring his son to try out a suit.
As for Liberty tagging along, she was free to do so.
He was curious about Liberty’s expression when she saw his new bride trying out wedding gowns. Liberty was only going for the safety of her son.
She did not think Hank would do anything to her son, but Jessica was a suspect. Liberty did not feel easy leaving Sonny alone with the couple. Who knew if anything were to happen?
Paying no attention to the couple, Liberty cleaned the place up and was about to remove her apron when Jim arrived to drop Sonny off.
“Mom.”
Sonny came running in his gym uniform.
“Sonny, you’re back.”
With a smile, Liberty went up and picked her son up.
“How was it? Do you feel tired? Did you cry?”
Sonny shook his head. “I didn’t cry, but I do feel tired.”
“Oh, you’re tired. Let me kiss your tiredness away. You must stick to the classes.” Liberty was concerned that her son could not keep up with the workout. She gave her son a kiss and reminded him to hang on so as not to disappoint Zack after all he did for Sonny.
Sonny was exhausted and tempted to quit, but his uncle’s words were imprinted in his mind. By taking up the art of self-defense, he no longer had to be afraid of bad guys. He could also protect his mother.
He wanted to be the manly man and shield his mom from all harm.
Sonny gave a firm nod. “I will stick to the class, Mom.”
Jim entered the diner too.
“Ms. Hunt.”
He said hello to Liberty.
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.