Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 68
Hank’s mother had made it clear that Liberty’s education was all for nothing. After all, she couldn’t share the financial burden at home. According to her, a woman who could manage the house and earn an income was more suited to Hank. What bothered Liberty the most was Hank’s criticism of her physical appearance. He believed she had lost her beauty and grace, content with becoming unkempt and overweight. He wouldn’t dream of taking Liberty to social engagements, worried that his colleagues and clients would make fun of him. To Hank, Liberty had nothing on Jessica, his ideal of what a wife should be. The comparison sent Liberty’s blood pressure rising.
Unable to take it any longer, Liberty hung up the phone. She kept to herself that she had invited Serenity and her husband over for dinner that evening. She knew there would likely be a huge fight between the in-laws and the newlyweds once her in-laws left, but she didn’t care anymore. Why should she stop Serenity and her husband from coming when her in-laws could visit any time they pleased? Liberty had a say in the family, too.
While Hank may have paid for the house deposit and mortgage, Liberty had contributed to the renovation and furnishing, spending all her savings on the home. With that in mind, Liberty regained her confidence. She decided to buy extra groceries for dinner since Serenity and her husband were joining. It was good that Serenity also enjoyed seafood. If Hank wanted to split the costs, Liberty would track the spending at their home and make sure to settle accounts with him once the in-laws left.
From now on, Liberty refused to continue managing everything in Hank’s life. He could handle his own clothes, socks, and meals. She wouldn’t be the one to wait on him anymore. Hank had charmed her into quitting her job when they were newlyweds because he could provide for her, wanting her to be his pretty bride at home. But things had changed after she got pregnant and had Sonny. The demands of breastfeeding had caused her to gain weight, and Hank had criticized her for it.
As Liberty looked at her son in the stroller, Sonny suddenly turned around and cried out, “Mama.” Liberty smiled and gently caressed his head, whispering softly, “You’re a good boy, Sonny.” He then said, “Mama… Aunt Swer.”
Liberty’s heart softened. “Are you thinking about your Aunt Seren? I invited her for dinner tonight. You’ll see her later.” Sonny’s young face brightened with joy. He was closest to his mother and aunt, and seeing his innocent happiness made it easier for Liberty to put her anger aside.
With her in-laws refusing to help, and with Sonny still too young for her to return to work, Liberty knew she’d have to wait another year before she could consider a job. She refused to entertain her in-laws’ persistent suggestion for her to have another child. She could barely manage with one, and if she had another, it would be even harder to regain her career. Without a job or income, Liberty felt she had no real voice in the family.
Hank’s words about his parents not helping with Sonny because they were entitled to relax and enjoy life stung. Liberty knew that her in-laws were more than happy to care for her sister-in-law’s children, taking them to school and back. It was clear to her that her parents-in-law favored their daughter’s children over their son’s. She was seen as an outsider in their eyes.
