Chapter 113
Chapter 113
“I brought all the gifts that Serenity and Zachary bought for me last time into my room because I was so upset about this whole going Dutch situation.”
Liberty was seated on a chair, visibly distressed. Meanwhile, Serenity entered the small kitchen, grabbed some fruit from the refrigerator, washed it, and offered it to Liberty. Jasmine, on the other hand, poured a glass of warm water for her.
After taking a few sips of the water, Liberty felt the urge to share her family troubles. Today, she had come over feeling both aggrieved and frustrated, seeking solace in her sister’s company.
Liberty knew that if she didn’t find someone to confide in, she risked falling into a deeper depression. Having known Jasmine for many years, she trusted that Jasmine would keep her secrets safe. Liberty continued, “When I woke up the next morning, I was relieved to see that Hank had sent his family away. However, before they left, they took all the gifts that Serenity and her husband had given me.”
She paused for a moment, her anger bubbling beneath the surface. “My sister-in-law even took some of Sonny’s toys! I was furious when I found out, but Hank just brushed it off, saying that we didn’t need those things, so he gave them all to his sister.”
“But does his sister really need those items?” Liberty exclaimed. “She and her husband both have jobs and a steady income. My parents-in-law are helping them take care of their children, and their combined pensions are more than sufficient to cover their expenses. Yet, they still expect Hank to give them an allowance. Isn’t that just Hank subsidizing his sister’s family?”
She shook her head in disbelief. “Their income remains untouched because they’re relying on Hank’s parents’ and Hank’s money. If Hank didn’t have his own family to support and chose to spend his money on his sister, that would be one thing. But he has us to think about, and we still have a mortgage to pay off! How can she have the audacity to use her brother’s money to support her family?!”
Liberty struggled to comprehend her husband’s actions, feeling increasingly frustrated with Hank.
Liberty was fully aware that her parents were using her financial contributions to support her sister’s family, yet each month, she dutifully sent money to them without any hesitation. In contrast, Hank was incredibly tight-fisted with her. This situation caused her significant distress.
She often chastised her in-laws for the charade they maintained before her marriage to Hank. For years, everyone had pretended to be kind, successfully deceiving her. However, once she married Hank, became pregnant, and gave birth to Sonny, their true nature emerged.
“It’s expected for a son to support his parents, but why should he also support his sister’s family? I’m not suggesting he shouldn’t help at all, but he should contribute less and save more for Sonny’s education. He disregarded my advice and even proposed splitting expenses as if he were spending a fortune,” Liberty lamented.
Reflecting on her choices, Liberty regretted leaving her job early to become a full-time housewife. When a woman lacks her own income and has to ask a man for every dollar, she often finds herself diminishing her self-worth and losing her standing in the home. Liberty intimately understood this feeling.
Fortunately, she had her sister to lean on for support, alleviating her concerns over finances. Jasmine was taken aback and remarked, “Most parents typically support their sons. Why do Hank’s parents expect their son to subsidize their daughter? It would make sense if their daughter was struggling, but she’s doing just fine. She owns a house, drives a car, and has savings.”
Serenity, familiar with the dynamics of her brother-in-law’s family, took Sonny from Jasmine’s arms and reassured her sister, “Liberty, it’s time for you to start job hunting. You can leave Sonny with me during the day. This way, if you ever decide to get a divorce, you’ll have the confidence to fight for what’s yours.”
Sonny’s custody was a pressing concern. “If you don’t have a source of income, how will you fight for him?” one person pointedly asked.
Jasmine felt a wave of surprise wash over her. Yet, contemplating Hank’s money-hungry family, she sensed that Liberty would ultimately face divorce sooner rather than later. After all, no one could endure such a husband and in-laws indefinitely.
Turning her gaze to her son, Liberty replied, “I’ll manage for a couple more months. The New Year is approaching, and then Sonny will start kindergarten. You can just help by picking him up in the afternoons.”
Liberty knew it was crucial for her to start job hunting soon. Even if she couldn’t secure an executive position like she held before her marriage, her skills would surely land her a respectable job.