Chapter 6

Chapter 6

With a smile, Serenity said, “What do I need your cousin for? He has a girlfriend. It’s too late now because the papers are signed! Just keep this between us and don’t let my sister find out. I don’t want her to be upset.”

Jasmine was left speechless.

Her best friend had certainly pulled off quite the surprise.

“Just like in those Lifetime movies and romance novels about marrying a multi-billionaire on a whim. Maybe that’s what’s happening with you, Seren,” Jasmine teased.

Playfully smacking her friend on the head, Serenity grinned and replied, “I bet you’ve read all the chick lit in the store. Dreaming about marrying a billionaire at first sight? Do you really think they’re just roaming around?”

Jasmine rubbed the spot where Serenity had hit her and sighed, realizing her friend had a point. She then asked, “Where does your husband live?”

“Brynfield,” Serenity answered.

“Nice! That’s a good neighborhood, easy to get to. Plus, it’s close to our shop. What does your husband do for work? He must make a decent amount of money if he bought a house in Wiltspoon and lives in a gated community like Brynfield. How much does he earn? Do you need help with the mortgage?”

“Seren, if he wants you to contribute to the mortgage, you should get your name on the title deed. It’s for your protection. I don’t mean to jinx anything, but if you guys ever split up, you won’t have any claim since it’s a prenuptial property,” Jasmine advised.

Serenity studied her best friend’s face before responding, “You sound just like my sister. He bought and fully paid for the house, so there’s no mortgage. I don’t think it’s fair to put my name on the title when I didn’t contribute a cent.”

Jasmine retorted, “That might not matter if you both get along well.”

A thought struck Serenity: her brother-in-law had purchased the family house before marrying her sister. He was also the one managing the monthly mortgage payments, while the renovations had been funded by Liberty’s money. Still,

Liberty’s name was absent from the property deed, and Serenity couldn’t shake off the memory of her brother-in-law accusing Liberty of squandering money. This left her feeling concerned for her sister. She knew she should discuss her worries with her sister sometime soon.

After closing the shop at eleven o’clock that night, Serenity suggested to Jasmine, who lived nearby and had a family member treating her to dinner, that she head home. Once the main door was locked, Serenity pulled out her keys and made her way to her e-bike.

She cycled for twenty minutes before arriving at her sister’s place. As she parked the bike, it hit her that she no longer resided there. Looking up at the floor where her sister lived, she noticed the lights were off. Feeling a bit disheartened, Serenity decided to leave the family of three undisturbed and rode her e-bike back into the night.

By the time she reached Brynfield, it was midnight. As she pushed open the door to her house, she was met with darkness, giving her the impression that no one inhabited the space. She retrieved her pajamas from the suitcase, took a hot shower, and let the fatigue lull her into sleep.

Meanwhile, at the Wiltspoon Hotel, Zachary stepped outside flanked by bodyguards. He had just finalized a significant deal with a major client and arranged for them to stay in the presidential suite. With thoughts of his new wife on his mind, Zachary decided to head home.

“Sir, will it be the estate or the hilltop villa?” one of his bodyguards inquired. The estate served as the York family home, while the villa on the hill was Zachary’s personal property. Although his main residence was the villa, he occasionally visited the estate for dinner with his family.

“To Brynfield,” Zachary replied.