Chapter 36
Zachary felt a strong aversion to being linked with Hank. This was not only because he found Hank’s personality grating, but also due to Hank’s dismissive attitude towards Liberty.
Sonny was in need of a drink, and the milk bottle filled with water was conveniently placed right in front of Hank on the coffee table. Instead of simply reaching for it, Hank chose to summon Liberty all the way over to provide their son with some water.
This was merely their first interaction, yet Zachary quickly sensed Hank’s disdain and disrespect toward his wife. Hank seemed to think that Liberty had an easy life as a stay-at-home mom.
Given his background, Zachary had little patience for men who did not honor their wives.
Even though he and Serenity had married on the day they first met without any prior feelings for one another, Zachary remained committed to treating Serenity with the respect she rightfully deserved.
Serenity smiled and said, “I see. That’s perfectly fine.”
“Kevin’s quite articulate. Hank shouldn’t feel out of place with Kevin around,” Zachary added.
Although Kevin appeared unassuming, he ranked third in Zachary’s age group and was, in reality, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He had a knack for engaging in conversation while subtly plotting against others beneath the surface. “You can be my kitchen assistant,” Zachary suggested.
Without a word, Zachary entered the kitchen to lend a hand regardless.
Both families were delighted to witness the young couple working together in the kitchen.
Liberty thought it was endearing how Zachary treated Serenity.
During lunch, everyone praised Serenity’s cooking after savoring her dishes. Perhaps they were too accustomed to gourmet food, making them more receptive to the unique flavors of home-cooked meals.
It was certainly a lively day. The families lingered for dinner before departing in the evening, restoring a sense of tranquility to the modest home.
Serenity walked back inside, threw herself onto the sofa, and stretched out comfortably.
Serenity leaned against the soft fabric of the couch, turning to the man who had approached her from behind. “Ow. I can barely stand up straight,” she remarked.
Zachary stayed silent, his demeanor calm and collected. It was merely a fleeting comment, and Serenity didn’t really expect him to respond. In fact, she would find it somewhat pretentious if he did. Meanwhile, Zachary busily tidied up the living room, which had become a chaotic mess thanks to Sonny, as is typical for any child.
Once the living room was in order, Zachary moved to the kitchen and donned the apron that hung from a hook by the door. His next task was to tackle the mountain of dirty dishes piled in the sink.
“Zachary may not say much, but he’s incredibly thoughtful. Seren, cherish your married life,” Serenity recalled someone saying as she watched him scrub away, which reminded her of a private conversation she’d had with Liberty.
Liberty had given her approval of Zachary, and in that moment, Serenity felt a warm glow of contentment. Just as she was enjoying a moment of peace, a sudden thought struck her. She jumped up from the sofa and dashed to the kitchen.
What she found was a sink overflowing with bubbles. “Just how much dishwashing liquid did you use?” she burst out laughing.
Zachary’s face turned crimson with embarrassment. “I accidentally poured in half a bottle,” he admitted sheepishly, avoiding her gaze to hide his reddening cheeks.
He truly had gone overboard, but it wasn’t due to a lack of skill in washing dishes. As the head of the York household, Zachary had undergone extensive training and education, making him quite self-sufficient. However, it had been quite some time since he had last tackled household chores.
Feeling a bit out of practice, he had simply misjudged the amount of soap needed. Now, after countless attempts to rinse away the foam, he had made a bit of a mess. And just like that, his little mishap had turned into a light-hearted moment between them.
