Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Hank’s mother expressed that Liberty’s education had gone to waste, as she was unable to contribute financially at home. Hank believed that a woman who could effectively manage the household while earning an income was more suitable for him.
What troubled him the most was Liberty’s neglect of her appearance. She had allowed herself to become unkempt and overweight, losing the beauty and grace she once possessed. Liberty was no longer the woman she had been before their marriage.
Hank couldn’t even imagine taking Liberty to social events, fearing that his colleagues and clients would ridicule him. He often compared her unfavorably to Jessica, which only served to raise Liberty’s blood pressure.
After hanging up the phone, Liberty refrained from mentioning that she had invited Serenity and her husband over for dinner that night. The combination of her in-laws and the newlyweds under one roof was bound to spark a significant conflict once the in-laws departed.
Still, Liberty wondered why she should prevent her sister and brother-in-law from visiting when her in-laws could come over at any time. She had a voice in the family too, after all.
Even though Hank covered the house deposit and mortgage, Liberty had contributed to the renovation and furnishing. All her savings had gone into their home, and with that thought, she felt a surge of confidence.
She decided to buy extra groceries since Serenity and her husband would be joining them for dinner. It was fortunate that Serenity enjoyed seafood. If Hank wanted to go Dutch, Liberty would keep track of how much the in-laws spent in their home as well.
Once the in-laws left, it was time for Liberty to settle the accounts with Hank. Sharing expenses meant that Liberty couldn’t manage the household alone. From that moment on, she resolved not to involve herself in Hank’s affairs.
He could take care of his own clothes, socks, and meals, and she was done waiting on him hand and foot. Hank had become such a…
Hank, with his charming demeanor, convinced Liberty to leave her job shortly after they got married, assuring her that he could provide for them. As a result, she became the lovely bride managing their home. However, when Liberty became pregnant early in their marriage, she faced the difficult choice of resigning from her position. After giving birth to their son, Sonny, she found it hard to maintain her figure.
In the early stages of motherhood, Liberty’s focus shifted to breastfeeding, which led to her gaining weight. Unfortunately, this change in her appearance drew criticism from Hank. One day, as Liberty gazed lovingly at her son in the stroller, Sonny called out, “Mama.” She gently hummed and stroked his head, replying, “You’re a good boy, Sonny p>
“Mama… Aunt Swer,” he added.
“Are you thinking about your Aunt Seren? I invited her for dinner tonight. You’ll see her later,” Liberty responded, noticing the joy spread across Sonny’s young face. He had a close bond with both his mother and aunt, which brought some warmth to Liberty’s heart, allowing her to set aside her frustrations.
With her in-laws unhelpful and Sonny still quite young, Liberty found herself waiting another year before she could return to work. She firmly decided against her in-laws’ persistent prompts to have another child, feeling overwhelmed with just one. The idea of adding another baby would mean giving up any hope of regaining her career. Without a job and income, Liberty felt she had little influence within the family.
Hank often stated that his parents were too busy enjoying their lives to care for Sonny, but Liberty was well aware that her in-laws were actively involved in taking care of her sister-in-law’s children, shuttling them to and from school. It was evident that Liberty’s parents-in-law preferred their daughter’s kids over their son’s.
Ultimately, they treated Liberty as an outsider. Their favoritism was apparent in how they prioritized their daughter’s family over her own, making it clear where their loyalties lay.