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Novel Catalog
Chapter 82
Hank was seething with rage, his fist clenched, and for a moment, it seemed as though he might actually lash out at Liberty. But then, Liberty turned around and met his glare head-on, her eyes cold and unyielding. “You better kill me if you want to hit me. Otherwise, you can sleep with one eye open,” she said flatly, her voice full of quiet defiance.
In the past, Liberty had endured Hank’s verbal and physical abuse. She had put up with it all for the sake of their family, for Sonny, and because she still cared about Hank. But Hank’s refusal to fairly contribute to their household finances had broken something inside her.
Liberty knew exactly how much Hank earned as a manager, tens of thousands every month, yet he only gave her three thousand for the household expenses and nothing more. On top of that, he expected her to pay her own share, and that was a slap in the face. The realization that Hank was not going to change, that he was more interested in taking from her than supporting her, left Liberty feeling betrayed. She had been patient for so long, but this was the last straw.
No longer was she going to be the submissive wife, the one who sacrificed everything for the family’s sake while Hank got away with being selfish and unjust. If Hank ever laid a hand on her again, she would make him regret it.
The venom in Liberty’s eyes, the sheer determination, made Hank hesitate. He loosened his fists, realizing he couldn’t intimidate her anymore. “You’re impossible,” he muttered, seething with frustration, and stormed off, slamming the door behind him.
Liberty stood there for a long time after he left, the lump in her throat threatening to choke her. Tears rolled down her face, silent and unbidden, as the reality of her situation settled in. She had tried to make things work for so long, but it felt as if everything she had done for the family had been in vain. Now, she had nothing left to give, and Hank was not the man she had thought he was.
Meanwhile, Serenity was back at her own home, trying to shake off the discomfort she felt in her heart. She hadn’t been there for the argument between Liberty and Hank, but she could feel something wasn’t right. As she sat on the balcony swing, staring at the starry sky, her mind raced with worries for her sister.
Zachary, ever the attentive husband, brought her a glass of water and handed it to her. “The food was salty tonight. Rinse your mouth with some water,” he said gently, his voice laced with concern.
Serenity accepted the glass with a small smile. “Thank you,” she said, taking a few sips before looking up at him.
Zachary sat down beside her, sensing that something was on her mind. “Something bothering you?” he asked softly.
Serenity took a deep breath and then spoke, her voice tinged with sadness. “I get the feeling that my sister is having a really tough time every day. I thought things would get better after I moved out, but with in-laws like hers… My brother-in-law is always siding with his family. They’re probably ganging up on my sister.”
Serenity paused, her thoughts drifting. Liberty was strong and would never let anyone walk all over her, but deep down, she still loved Hank. She was willing to sacrifice so much for their love, even if it meant enduring things that weren’t right.
Zachary, who had listened attentively, finally spoke, his tone reassuring. “You can let me know if Liberty’s unhappy. We’ll stand up for her and make sure the Browns know that we have her back.”
Serenity looked at him, touched by his words. She was lucky to have a husband like Zachary, who treated her with respect and support. His family, although not perfect, treated her with kindness, unlike her own in-laws. “Mr. York, I’m lucky you don’t have a problematic sister. Your family is very cultured. I could tell at the family event that your mom wasn’t too happy with me, but she still treated me with respect. Your family is very nice, and Nana’s the nicest of them all.”
She sighed, her thoughts trailing off again. “It’s said that marriage is a woman’s second chance at life. All women dream about their happy-ever-after, but even fairy tales have bad endings.”
Her marriage with Zachary wasn’t built on a perfect foundation of love, but he had done everything to make it work. At least he respected her, and that meant the world to her. Zachary, unlike Hank, was a man of his word, and Serenity could see the difference. They had been married for a while, but she needed time to truly know him and understand the depth of their relationship.
Zachary didn’t respond immediately, but after a pause, he said firmly, “If anyone messes with Liberty, they’re messing with me too. We won’t let the Browns walk all over her.”
Serenity looked at him, comforted by his confidence and the unwavering support he had shown. This was what she had wanted all along—someone who would stand by her and her family, someone who would treat them with respect. And she could finally see that Zachary was that person.
