Chapter 96
Chapter 96 “Of course, I can give you an extra day if you’re going on a blind date and getting married p>
Josh ended the call with his boss and best friend.
Zachary was clearly trying to lead him off course! That was not going to work! The only reason Zachary got married in such a rush was due to his grandmother’s insistence.
Grandma May had taken quite a liking to Serenity, to the extent that she sacrificed her beloved grandson’s single life.
After giving Josh some instructions, Zachary exited the car to grab some snacks.
When Serenity returned, Zachary had snacks waiting for her in the car. “It’ll take a while to make the round trip. Here, have something to eat. Don’t starve yourself over a small issue,” he urged.
“Have you eaten?” she asked. “Yeah,” he replied, admitting he had just enough to stave off hunger.
The snacks weren’t exactly his favorite, but since he was full, Serenity dove into the food while Zachary took the wheel.
Serenity’s hometown was over an hour away on the highway from Wiltspoon.
It had been nearly a decade since Serenity last visited the place.
In the past, the sisters would return during summer holidays, but they were often met with their grandparents’ cold reception.
Their grandparents would refuse to feed them, forcing Liberty and Serenity to fend for themselves.
That was nothing compared to a later incident when their grandparents discarded their belongings from their rooms to use the space for storage.
When they returned, the sisters found themselves without a place to stay.
With their parents gone, their grandparents were the closest family they had, yet they not only refused to take the girls in, but they also took over the home left by the girls’ parents.
Liberty and Serenity had no strong connections with the locals.
As Serenity and Liberty navigated their childhood, they faced deep-rooted challenges in their family dynamics. While some members of the community expressed sympathy for the sisters, few were willing to stand up to their formidable grandparents. Serenity’s grandmother, known for her fierce temper and sharp tongue, instilled fear in those around her, making it difficult for anyone to confront her behavior.
To add to their struggles, the sisters were forbidden from visiting their parents’ graves or accessing their parents’ will, all under the pretense of being too young. In a twist of fate, the grandparents took it upon themselves to name one of the sisters’ cousins as the adopted son of Serenity and Liberty’s deceased parents. This arrangement was clearly designed to benefit John, allowing him to inherit the house, land, and farm that rightfully belonged to Serenity’s parents.
Given these circumstances, Serenity and Liberty found little reason to return to their childhood home. Serenity recalled that John was indeed the cousin designated as the adopted son. Meanwhile, Zachary, a newcomer in the rural area, and many locals barely recognized Serenity since it had been so long since her last visit. This anonymity provided her with a unique opportunity to capture photographs of her uncles’ homes.
Years ago, the grandparents had taken their parents’ insurance money and distributed it among the uncles, who then used it to build new houses and launch businesses. This windfall had greatly enriched their lives, allowing them to live in solitary villas and enjoy a lifestyle that many in the community envied.
Now, standing at the gate of the house built by her parents, Serenity was engulfed by a wave of memories. The sight of her childhood home triggered a profound sense of loss, filling her heart with overwhelming sorrow. Tears welled in her eyes, glistening in the light, as she struggled to contain her emotions.
Zachary, observing her from a distance, sensed her distress. Understanding that she was going through an emotional upheaval, he felt a strong desire to reach out and offer her comfort, along with a shoulder to lean on.
Time went on.
An elderly woman was strolling by when she noticed Serenity.
Curious, she paused for a better look and exclaimed with delight, “Are you p>