Chapter 3961-3965

Married At First Sight Chapters 3961-3965
Chapter 3961
The elderly lady and her granddaughters-in-law were staying at Regent Residences, while Zachary, Callum, and Kevin waited at home for their wives to return. As night fell, Zachary couldn’t help but call Serenity.
“Seren, why haven’t you and Grandma returned yet?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
“Honey, we’re not coming back tonight,” Serenity replied gently. “Grandma said we’ll head back after breakfast tomorrow. For now, we’re staying at your place in Regent Residences.”
Zachary sighed. “I had a bad feeling when Grandma insisted on taking you all out.” It was clear that Grandma had “kidnapped” their wives.
Serenity chuckled. “You should relax and go to bed early. We’re just singing right now, and Hayden has quite the talent for it.”
Zachary softened but still warned her, “Don’t stay up too late, especially since you’re pregnant. You need to rest.”
“I know, I will,” Serenity assured him. “That’s all for now. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Zachary replied. “By the way, Sonny came over this afternoon and asked about you. I told him you were out shopping, but he seemed disappointed that you didn’t wait for him to return. Did you miss him?”
Serenity smiled warmly. “He called me later and asked me to buy more fireworks. He’s excited to watch the fireworks tomorrow night.”
Fireworks weren’t allowed in the city, but the York family’s villa featured a spacious lawn where they could safely set them off. Each year, they celebrated with a spectacular fireworks display at the villa.
Serenity recalled her first New Year with the York family after marrying Zachary. Back then, Zachary had deceived her into believing they were going to the old family house.

instead of Wildridge Manor. The entire York family had participated in the deception. When Serenity eventually uncovered the truth, she was infuriated—not only because Zachary had lied but also because he had hidden it from her for nearly a year. It was only when she confronted him that he finally admitted the truth, which intensified her anger even further.

Interrupting her thoughts, Zachary said, “Don’t worry about the fireworks. I brought back plenty this time—an entire truckload. I promise you’ll get to enjoy them.”

Serenity laughed. “That’s more than enough! I already see more fireworks than anyone else every year.”

The York family spared no expense. Their fireworks were always the largest and most spectacular, lighting up the night for three days straight. Serenity adored the brilliant displays, even though the fireworks burned out so quickly. This year, Zachary had truly outdone himself, buying far more than usual, according to Sam.

Rowan had even teased that in past years, he had begged Zachary for more fireworks, but Zachary had always refused. Now, with Serenity in the picture, Zachary was practically ready to rent an entire fireworks factory.

Rowan had learned early on that Serenity was the key to softening Zachary’s tough exterior. Whenever Zachary teased him, Rowan would rush to Serenity to “complain,” which forced Zachary to relent.

Serenity yawned. “I’m feeling sleepy now. I’m going to take a shower and head to bed. Goodnight, husband. I love you.”

She whispered the last part softly, not wanting her sisters-in-law to overhear and tease her.

After hanging up, Hayden finished her song, and Serenity clapped enthusiastically. “That was amazing!” Serenity said with sincere admiration.

Camryn admitted she hadn’t sung in a long time and felt uncertain, while Serenity, being pregnant, said

she lacked the energy to participate. To everyone’s surprise, the elderly woman took center stage and performed two songs. The three sisters-in-law were astonished. The old lady’s tunes were timeless classics they had never encountered before, yet her performance was mesmerizing. “Grandma, you’re amazing,” one of them exclaimed, clearly impressed. The old lady smiled modestly. “In my youth, I used to sneak into dance halls as part of my missions. You had to have a few tricks up your sleeve to avoid getting caught.” Then, noticing the late hour, she added, “It’s getting late. We should all get some rest. Seren, especially—you’ve been up with me all evening, and you need to take care of yourself. Go get some sleep.” The women nodded in agreement and headed off to rest, bringing the lively evening to a close.

The old lady, despite her spirited and youthful love for a bustling household, held her granddaughter-in-law, Serenity, in deep regard. Her focus naturally shifted to the baby in Serenity’s belly—her first great-grandchild. With the baby’s arrival, four generations would reside under one roof, fulfilling a long-held dream of hers. As the hostess of the expansive villa, Serenity made it her priority to ensure her sisters-in-law were comfortably settled into their rooms before retreating to the master bedroom. However, without Zachary, the space felt incomplete, serving as a poignant reminder of his absence.

Pregnancy had been draining, and Serenity had become accustomed to Zachary’s comforting presence. Exhausted from the day and weighed down by the demands of her pregnancy, she quickly fell asleep, her dreams filling the stillness of the night. The following day was New Year’s Eve, bustling with activity from dawn until dusk. By evening, the New Year’s Eve dinner united the family, and soon…

Afterward, close friends and family of the Yorks gathered at Wildridge Manor to celebrate. Fireworks illuminated the night sky, their dazzling displays reflecting the joy and unity of the occasion. Laughter and cheer filled the villa, carrying the festivities into the early hours.

However, festive days pass swiftly. In the blink of an eye, it was the second day of the New Year—traditionally a time for visiting parents’ homes. The Murphy wives, whose families resided in Wiltspoon, returned to their parents’ houses. Likewise, Zachary and Serenity joined Duncan and Liberty for their annual family visit. Serenity and Liberty headed to the Stone family, as Audrey, their maternal aunt, was their closest relative on their mother’s side.

However, Serenity’s uncles from the Hunt family had called earlier, urging her and Liberty to return to their hometown to visit their extended relatives. Despite the bitter history between them, they pleaded for reconciliation, claiming to regret their past actions and acknowledging their wrongdoings.

Serenity quickly realized that this newfound remorse stemmed more from desperation than genuine regret. Zachary had ensured that her cousins—who had wronged her—faced the consequences of their actions. They had lost their jobs, their small businesses had failed, and they were now struggling to make ends meet. Even then, Zachary had shown restraint, sparing them from total ruin.

Serenity, however, was not ready to forgive. When her uncles failed to sway her, they turned to village leaders, asking for mediation. The leaders refused, bluntly condemning the Hunt family for their past cruelty.

“After everything you’ve done, how can you expect Liberty and Serenity to simply forgive and forget? You’ve left scars that can’t be erased,” one village elder told them.

Liberty and Serenity had already demonstrated their grace by providing financial support to their grandparents and sending gifts during the holidays. They believed this was more than sufficient. After all, their grandparents had been responsible for tormenting the sisters when they were at their most vulnerable.

Serenity confided in Liberty, her voice steady yet filled with pain. “I can’t reconcile with them. Every time I think about how they divided the compensation money after our parents died, took our home, and abandoned us during a storm, I feel the same anger I felt back then. I was only ten years old, Liberty—a child. And they turned their backs on us like that.” Her words carried the weight of years of betrayal and sorrow. No matter how much time passed, some wounds could never fully heal; they could only fade with time.

As the festivities came to a close, Wildridge Manor returned to its usual peaceful atmosphere. The elderly woman, standing by the villa’s gate, watched her youngest son and his family drive away. A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she turned to Evan, who stood beside her. “The second day of the New Year is always the hardest for me,” she said softly. “Everyone leaves to visit their families, and suddenly, the house feels so quiet.”

Evan gently supported his grandmother as they walked back toward the villa, his voice warm and reassuring. “Grandma, you need to look at it differently. Out of the whole year, there’s only one day—the second day of the New Year—when you feel a little down. Every other day, you’re surrounded by happiness. You might not have daughters or granddaughters of your own, but your sons and grandsons have all married wonderful women from other families. Aren’t you excited to have all these amazing daughters-in-law around you, being so loving and supportive?”

“Filial?” The old lady chuckled at his perspective. “When you put it that way, I feel happy! But I imagine there are plenty of people out there feeling a bit jealous.”

Evan grinned. “Exactly! You have so many people envious of you, Grandma. And let’s not forget, you have nine grandsons who’ve never brought you a moment of shame. Now, who wouldn’t want that?”

Laughing, she teased, “Evan, your words are dripping with sweetness today. What’s gotten into you?”

“I’m always this sweet, don’t you think?” Evan replied playfully.

She raised an eyebrow knowingly. “Not usually this sweet. Now spill it—what do you really want from me?”

He chuckled, sidestepping her question. “Grandma, would you prefer to head back to the house, or should we take a walk and enjoy the gardens?”

The old lady smiled. “Let’s walk around and take in the decorations. It’s already the second day of the New Year, and I haven’t had a chance to relish the festive atmosphere of the garden.”

Evan nodded, teasing, “Well, you did spend most of your time dragging my three sisters-in-law around town. No wonder you didn’t have time! My brothers probably cursed you in their dreams for stealing their wives.”

Grandma laughed heartily. “If they dared to complain, I’d take their wives on a worldwide tour so they’d never figure out where we were staying!”

Evan joined in her laughter. “Oh, they’d never say it to your face. But behind your back? Absolutely.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Let them gossip behind my back. As long as it’s not to my face, I’ll pretend I don’t know. People will talk—no matter how well you do, someone will always have something to say.”

The two meandered through the villa’s beautifully decorated gardens. Red lanterns and festive ornaments hung from the trees, casting a warm glow.

The glow perfectly captured the New Year spirit. Evan broke the serene moment with a sigh. “Grandma, look at my brothers—all happily paired up. And here I am, still single. Another year has gone by, and I’m officially an older young bachelor.” The elderly woman raised an eyebrow. “Being single is your choice, Evan.”

Caught off guard, he stammered but quickly recovered with a sheepish grin. “You’re right, Grandma. That’s on me. I should appreciate your wisdom more. Speaking of which, can you tell me something? Is Abby actually Bianca? Does she go by other names? Could she even be… Fox?”

Grandma’s face remained unreadable. “How would I know? I haven’t seen her transform into Fox, so I can’t say if she is.”

Evan pressed on. “But isn’t she Bianca? Her name includes the word ‘Fox,’ and I’ve heard some of her elders call her Abby. Maybe they call her Bianca too. What if she’s also the apprentice of the Silver Fox?”

The old lady shrugged nonchalantly. “If her elders call her Abby and not Bianca, then she isn’t Bianca.”

Evan frowned. “But I’m convinced she’s all three—Abby, Bianca, and Fox! Grandma, you picked Abby for me, so you must know everything about her. You always seem to know all the secrets regarding my brothers’ wives. I’m sure it’s no different with Abby.”

Grandma gave him an amused look and then slowly made her way to a bench under a tree before sitting down. “When I chose wives for your second and third brothers, I was younger and had more energy. I could spend time digging into every little detail about them. But now that I’m older, I don’t have that same energy. So, when it comes to you and your younger brothers, I haven’t been as thorough.”

Abby is Silver Fox’s disciple, making any investigation into her nearly impossible. Who is Silver Fox, anyway? He once led the most powerful information network within the Five Emperors Hall, and his influence was unparalleled. To delve into the life of his disciple? That would be courting trouble—a virtual death wish.

The old lady smiled knowingly. “Even though Silver Fox has retired, his successors are just as formidable, if not more so. While I may be brave, I’m not foolish enough to provoke the Five Emperors Hall. Do you think I would dare do that, fully aware of their capabilities? Not a chance.”

She paused, her gaze unwavering. “The only reason our family enjoys a favorable relationship with the Five Emperors Hall is due to your eldest brother, your sister-in-law, and our connections with the Johnson family. Additionally, Mr. Jimenez, who serves as the assistant to your sister-in-law’s grandmother, helps us gain some respect. But make no mistake, Evan—that respect has its limitations.”

Evan remained unconvinced. “Grandma, I’m your grandson. You know more than you’re admitting.”

The old lady shot him a pointed look. “And because you’re my grandson, I’ve already done more for you than I would for anyone else. Yet, there are still things I simply don’t know. Do you think I possess all the answers? Even gods don’t know everything, Evan.”

He sighed, regret tinging his voice. “Grandma, I realize I’ve been stubborn. You chose Abby for me because she’s the right person, but I was too blinded by pride. I wanted to forge my own path, even if it was the harder one. Now, I feel lost. Grandma, please, just tell me the truth. Is Abby actually Fox? They’re the same person, aren’t they?”

She didn’t respond right away, instead fixing him with a steady, scrutinizing gaze.

Finally, she asked, “What if she is? And what if she isn’t? What would you do in either situation? Would you go back to Abby? You don’t love her, Evan. Even if you pursued her, you would treat her like a second choice.”

Evan protested, “If Abby and Fox are the same person, then what’s the difference? My feelings for one would be the same as for the other—they’re the same person underneath!”

The old lady shook her head. “No, Evan, they’re not the same. Abby is her own person. She’s enough as she is, and for three months, you tried to win her over. What happened? You told her you didn’t love her and couldn’t see a future with her. You made that decision, not me.”

Her voice softened, yet her words held weight. “Even if Fox is Abby’s alter ego—the mask she wears—you fell in love with that version of her, not the real woman. Fox is part of her, yes, but she can’t live as Fox every day. Abby and Fox are different. If you went back to Abby, you’d be viewing her through the lens of Fox, treating her like a replacement. That’s not fair to Abby.”

The old lady straightened in her seat. “Evan, you’ve already made your choice. You decided to let Abby go. I warned you then, didn’t I? I asked if you were sure and if you’d regret it later. You said you wouldn’t. Now you’re here, regretting it, but there’s nothing I can do for you. You chose your path—you have to see it through. You’re not a child anymore.”

Evan’s expression faltered, his usually confident face marred by frustration and remorse. “Grandma, I didn’t know Abby was Fox. If I had known, I never would’ve let her go.”

“Grandma, just one question. I need you to answer one thing—Is Abby Fox the one?”

The old lady replied.

calmly replied, “Why not ask her yourself? I’m not Abby.”
“Grandma,” Evan’s voice trembled as he nearly sank to his knees before her. “I messed up, okay? I regret it. Can you just tell me the truth?”
She gently tapped his forehead with her finger and said, “There’s no remedy for regret, Evan.”
Then, reflecting on her own actions, she added, “Perhaps I was too controlling. Without your consent, I picked a suitable match for you and encouraged you to pursue her. That’s my fault, not yours.”
Still, everything she did was aimed at her grandson’s happiness. She had always been the strong-willed matriarch of the family.
“Grandma, don’t blame yourself,” Evan said, his tone softening. “My brothers and I are grateful for everything you’ve done for us. Honestly, it’s a blessing to have your guidance. Even Mom and Dad are relieved—they don’t have to worry about our marriages.”
Indeed, his parents and uncles were more than happy to leave such matters in the old lady’s capable hands. She had an uncanny ability to judge character. Any woman who passed her scrutiny was sure to be exceptional.
“So, if you’re all so willing,” she said, tilting her head, “why haven’t you complied with my request? It’s been a year, Evan. A whole year, and you still haven’t developed feelings for Abby?”
She shot him a sharp look, her voice tinged with playful reproach. “Evan, I would never lead you astray. Trust me on this—I’d never steer you wrong, especially regarding marriage.”
She paused, then smirked slightly. “Now, in other matters? Sure, I might’ve deceived you here and there. But not in this.”
Evan sighed as she continued, “Abby is a wonderful girl, and her family—the Du family—holds impeccable values. They are a perfect match for us. Sure, they live a bit far away, but that’s nothing.

these days, with airplanes and high-speed trains, you can reach your destination in no time.” She chuckled and added, “Honestly, even if they asked you to move there after marriage, I wouldn’t mind. I have plenty of grandchildren. Losing one to a good family isn’t the end of the world.”

Evan was left speechless.

“Anyway,” she continued, “there’s still time before my deadline for you. Why not consider buying a house in Huyoniville after the New Year? Move there for a while, live close to Abby, and see what happens. You could leave the company to River and Alex and focus on building your life. Or better yet, start a business in Huyoniville. Pursue your wife and build your career at the same time—double the success, double the joy.”

Evan remained silent, studying his grandmother’s face for any clue or hidden truth in her expression. All he saw were the wrinkles around her eyes and the strands of white in her hair.

“Grandma,” he said gently, reaching out to touch her hair, “you have more white hairs now. Why didn’t you dye it black before the New Year?”

She ran her fingers through her hair and shrugged. “I’m in my eighties, Evan. White hair comes with the territory. Why bother dyeing it? Do you think black hair would magically make me look decades younger? It’s better to accept reality. I’m old, and that’s fine. As long as I’m healthy, a few wrinkles and gray hairs don’t bother me.”

Her tone was steady and accepting, reflecting her inner peace. Unlike others who fought against time—denying their age and covering up gray hair as if it could erase the years—she embraced her reality with grace.

Evan couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe it’s us grandkids who are to blame,” he teased. “We give you so much trouble—always something to worry about. No wonder…

“Your hair keeps turning white so quickly,” the old lady said with a soft laugh, her sharp eyes sparkling with warmth.