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Novel Catalog
Chapter 2
“I won’t back out on a promise.”
It took Serenity a few days to think it through, but once she had made her decision, she was firm. She wouldn’t go back on her word.
At that point, there was nothing more Zachary could say. He pulled out a document and handed it over to the officer.
Serenity did the same.
In less than ten minutes, they completed the formalities.
When the officer handed over the marriage license, Zachary retrieved a set of keys from his pocket and handed them to Serenity.
“The house I bought is in Brynfield,” he said. “Nana told me you own a bookstore near Wiltspoon School. My place isn’t too far from your work. It’s about a ten-minute bus ride.”
He paused, looking at her.
“Do you have a driver’s license? If so, you can get a car. I’ll help with the down payment, and you can take care of the monthly payments. It’ll make your commute easier.”
Zachary continued without waiting for a response.
“I get busy with work, so you won’t see much of me. There will be business trips too. Don’t mind me. Just take care of yourself. I’ll transfer the household expenses to you on the tenth of every month, once my salary is in.”
Serenity nodded, taking it all in.
“One more thing,” Zachary added. “We should keep our marriage a secret for now.”
Serenity had agreed to this marriage to avoid causing tension between her sister and brother-in-law. For her, this marriage was just a means to an end—her ticket out of the house while keeping her sister’s mind at ease. It was a marriage by name, nothing more.
When Zachary handed her the keys, she accepted them without hesitation.
“I have a driver’s license,” Serenity said, “but I’m not planning on getting a car right now. I usually ride my e-bike to work. I just replaced the batteries, so it would be a waste not to use it.”
She hesitated before adding, “Um… Mr. York, are we splitting the bills?”
Her sister and brother-in-law had married for love, but her brother-in-law had insisted on splitting everything evenly, almost as if her sister was taking advantage of him. It made Serenity uncomfortable.
Managing a household—taking care of groceries, cooking, and cleaning—was hard work. A man who had never done it himself might think that the wife had it easy, but Serenity knew better.
Since she and Zachary barely knew each other, Serenity felt more comfortable if they shared the financial responsibilities.
Without a second thought, Zachary replied coolly, “I’m capable of supporting my wife and our family. There’s no need to split costs.”
Serenity smiled faintly. “Alright then.”
She wasn’t one to take advantage of others. Whatever was needed for the house, she would pay for it herself.
She was already saving on rent, after all.
Zachary glanced at his watch. “I need to get back to work. You can take my car home or hail a cab. I’ll reimburse you for the fare. I’m driving Nana to my brother’s.”
“Oh, right. Let’s exchange numbers so we can stay in touch.”
Serenity quickly saved his contact in her phone. “I’ll just take a cab. You can get back to work now.”
“Alright. Call me if you need anything.”
Before she left, Zachary handed her two hundred bucks for the cab. Serenity tried to refuse, but she quickly accepted it when he gave her a stern look.
Zachary didn’t wait for her. He walked to his car without looking back, leaving Serenity to head out alone.
“Where’s my granddaughter-in-law?”
Grandma May, who had been waiting outside, looked at Zachary in confusion. “You went in together, but why didn’t you leave together? Did you change your mind, or did Serenity?”
Zachary fastened his seatbelt and pulled out the marriage license. Handing it to his grandmother, he said, “We’re officially married. But I need to get back to the office for a meeting. I gave Serenity two hundred for the cab.”
He started the car and looked over at his Nana. “I’ll take you to the crossroads, and the bodyguard will drive you home.”
Grandma May frowned. “Don’t ditch Serenity like this, no matter how busy you are. Wait until she’s out, and then you can go back to work.”
Zachary’s voice turned firm. “I married her as you wished, but you can’t control everything. I’ll live with her, and I’ll be the one to judge her. If she doesn’t pass the test, I’ll end the marriage.”
Grandma May grumbled, “Divorce isn’t an option in our family!”
Zachary shot her a glance. “Well, that depends on whether she’s worth spending the rest of my life with.”
Grandma May muttered something under her breath, but Zachary wasn’t listening. He started the car and drove off.
“Well, that’s a fine son-in-law you’ve got,” she grumbled. “I’ll wait for the day he falls for Serenity.”
She shook her head, but there was nothing she could do. Zachary was the kind of man who would do what he wanted, no matter what.
As for Serenity, she was already in a cab on her way home when her grandmother called.
“Serenity, don’t take it personally. Zack is just swamped with work.”
Serenity felt the marriage license in her pocket and smiled. “I understand, Grandma May. Don’t worry about it. He’s paying for my fare. I’m already on my way home.”
Grandma May’s voice softened. “You’re married to Zack now. Am I still Grandma May to you?”
Serenity blinked, caught off guard for a moment, then laughed. She called her grandmother back, and the older woman gladly accepted the new title.
“We’re family now, Serenity. If Zack ever picks on you, tell me. I’ll back you up.”
It had taken her grandson so long to find a wife, and Grandma May wasn’t about to let him mistreat her.
