While feasting on her pasta, Serenity sent a text message to her sister, asking if the latter was asleep. Instead of writing back, Liberty immediately rang Serenity. Since typing took a lot of time, Liberty would rather communicate directly on the phone. “Seren, I’m awake. Did you just return home?” Liberty had a clear idea of her sister’s routine. Back when Serenity was living in Liberty’s place, Serenity was the last to sleep but the first to wake up. Liberty was aware that to appease her husband, Serenity would get up first thing in the morning to prepare breakfast and manage some house chores. Her sister had done so much for the family, and yet Hank kicked up a fuss about Serenity mooching off him. Serenity had, in fact, chipped in on the household expenses… Judging by his cold and empty side of the bed, it did not matter to Liberty anymore. All she cared about was her sister. “Yeah. I’m having supper. Liberty, Shawn said he ran into my brother-in-law with a beau

Liberty cried for a long time and only put away the tears when Hank came home. She pretended to be asleep, but her ears were pricked up for the noise outside. Ever since the domestic abuse, the couple had slept in separate rooms. Hank must be scared Liberty might cut him up in the middle of his sleep. The bedroom door was pushed open, but Hank did not enter. Instead, he looked in from the door. Seeing that his wife and child were asleep, he closed the door and went to the bedroom next door. With the door shut, he phoned Jessica. “Mr. Brown.” “We’re not in the office. Call me Hank.” Hank spoke in a hushed tone so his wife could not hear him from the next room. “Are you home, Hank? I was so worried about you. You drove home even though you had a lot to drink. I was worried sick. Don’t do that again. It’s dangerous to drink and drive. You’ll be in trouble if the traffic officer catches you driving under the influence.” Jessica expressed her concern for Hank over the phone

Liberty was not at the market getting groceries. She had been looking for a job during the day and making a detour to the market while on her way home. The produce at the market tended to be cheaper at night, so she could save a bit of money this way. Although Liberty had not gotten a job and could not rely on her husband, she had not maxed out her resources. It was a good thing Liberty took her sister’s advice to save up some money back then. Her sister was against Liberty quitting her job and getting ready for pregnancy after getting married. Her sister said that women should have their own income instead of relying completely on men no matter before or after marriage. All was good if the husband was good to the wife. Once the husband fell out of love and started cheating, the wife, who was without a job or an income, would be in an unfavorable position and be sunk into oblivion. Liberty had been foolish. She trusted her relationship with Hank was solid and that Hank woul

Serenity was about to say that her sister would never forgive infidelity but hummed a response on second thought. The couple did not exchange another word during the journey. Zachary did not do well at small talks while Serenity was preoccupied with her sister’s marriage to engage in conversation. It was pin-drop silence in the car. Zachary did not even put the music on. Tilting her head, Serenity looked at the scenery outside the window. She waited until they were reaching Bright Boulevard before giving her sister a call. Serenity was relieved that her sister picked up the call. “Liberty, are you and Sonny up? I made quite a lot of sandwiches, so I brought you and Sonny some.” Liberty stopped walking and stared at her son in the stroller. She said, “Sonny isn’t awake yet. Seren, I’m not at home. I took Sonny out for a stroll and somehow ended up near your bookshop. I’ll just head to your shop instead of going home.” “Oh, I see. Where are you now? Can you drop me a pin?

“Sonny didn’t finish the sandwiches, so I ate his leftovers.” Liberty did not have much of an appetite. She ate after Sonny and finished the sandwiches in the lunch box. Neither hungry nor full, Liberty simply did not feel like eating. Jasmine already had her breakfast. Serenity helped herself to the plate of pasta. She slurped down her pasta and finished the whole plate in minutes. While she cleared away her dirty dishes and cleaned them in the kitchen, Jasmine came in and whispered, “Seren, did you notice your sister’s swollen eyes? Has she been crying?” Serenity quietly washed the dishes. A while later, she spoke softly, “Shawn was at a business dinner last night and saw my brother-in-law together with another woman. They were rather intimate at the event. It would be hard to believe that there’s nothing going on between them. Shawn only remembered who he was when he got home last night and told me about it. I filled my sister in on the whole thing.” “Huh?” Jasmine