Chapter 3895
Sonny nodded solemnly. “Mom, I understand. I’ll ask Dad to hide the things so Aunt Chelsea won’t take them. Why does she always come to Dad’s house and take stuff? When I was little, Brother Lucas used to take my toys too. I cried, and Grandma said he’d return them after playing for a while, but he never did.” Even though Sonny was only two years old at the time, he still remembered how much his grandmother favored Lucas.
“Sonny, that’s adult business. You’re still a child; don’t let it bother you,” Liberty said gently. Chelsea had always been selfish, taking advantage of her parents and, by extension, Hank. Hank had enabled her behavior for years, favoring his sister over anyone else.
Whenever Chelsea visited, she made sure her favorite dishes—all the expensive ones—were prepared. Liberty would cook lavish meals, often including pricey seafood like lobster and king crab, just to appease Chelsea. However, Chelsea never came empty-handed to contribute; she wouldn’t even bring a small treat for Sonny.
Liberty often vented to her sister Serenity about how Chelsea acted like a guest but never a considerate one. She would arrive empty-handed and leave with leftovers packed to the brim. When Liberty brought this up to Hank, he would brush her off, saying it wasn’t her money being spent. “I pay for the groceries,” he’d snap. “Just cook whatever Chelsea likes.” Yet, whenever Liberty asked him for grocery money, he lashed out, accusing her of being wasteful and spending recklessly. He never seemed to notice how much his sister’s indulgences were costing them.
Shaking her head, Liberty pushed those thoughts aside. That was all in the past.
Liberty and Hank had been divorced for two years, and her life had changed completely. She was now remarried to Duncan. Duncan was not Hank, nor would he ever be.
Liberty had rebuilt her life. She owned a successful restaurant and company, was financially independent, and finally lived on her own terms. No one could criticize her choices anymore, and she no longer had to tolerate anyone taking advantage of her. As for Duncan, the gifts he gave her ensured she would never worry about her material needs again. Her life was now one of security and freedom.
Sonny pouted but remained silent. He had already decided to tell his dad to keep the supplements hidden from Aunt Chelsea. After getting ready, the family of three set off for the Brown family home.
Hank still lived in the house he and Liberty had shared during their marriage. Returning to the community where she had spent three years felt surreal to Liberty. As she walked through the familiar neighborhood, many residents recognized her and Sonny, greeting them warmly. Duncan, sitting beside her in his wheelchair, quickly became a topic of curiosity.
Liberty answered their questions with ease, introducing him proudly. “This is my husband, Mr. Duncan Lewis.” When people’s eyes inevitably drifted to Duncan’s legs, Liberty explained, “He was injured in a car accident and needs a wheelchair temporarily. However, he’s undergoing rehabilitation and should be back on his feet in about six months.” The neighbors were familiar with Liberty’s sister, Serenity, who had married into the community.
With pride, she introduced him, saying, “This is my husband, Mr. Duncan Lewis.” As people’s eyes naturally gravitated towards Duncan’s legs, Liberty clarified, “He was injured in a car accident and temporarily needs a wheelchair. However, he is currently undergoing rehabilitation and should be back on his feet in about six months.”
The neighbors were familiar with Liberty’s sister, Serenity, who had married into the affluent York family. They recognized the strong bond between the sisters and how they consistently supported each other. Given that Liberty had remarried, they assumed her new husband must be someone special—and they were right.