Chapter 6: Family Matters

Saturday morning arrived with clear skies over Wiltspoon.

Since the bookstore was less busy on weekends, Serenity decided to visit her sister, Liberty.

Before leaving, she prepared lunch for Zachary.

"I'll be back this evening," she said.

Zachary looked up from his laptop.

"You're visiting your sister?"

"Yes."

"She worries about me."

"Take this," Zachary said, handing her a spare apartment key.

"You don't need to wait outside if I get home late."

Serenity smiled.

"Thank you."

"Drive safely."

"I will."

Nearly forty minutes later, Serenity arrived at Liberty's apartment.

The moment the door opened, Liberty hugged her tightly.

"How's married life?" she asked excitedly.

"It's... peaceful," Serenity replied honestly.

"Zachary is quiet, but he's kind."

"I'm relieved."

Liberty smiled warmly before inviting her inside.

Unfortunately, the peaceful atmosphere didn't last long.

As soon as Hank Brown, Liberty's husband, saw Serenity, his expression darkened.

"So," he said sarcastically.

"The newlywed finally decided to visit."

"Hank," Liberty warned.

"What?"

"I'm just talking."

Serenity ignored the remark and placed several grocery bags on the table.

"I brought some fresh fruit and vegetables."

"You shouldn't have," Liberty said.

"Family helps family."

Hank crossed his arms.

"Family?"

"Now that you're married, shouldn't your husband be paying for all this?"

Serenity remained calm.

"He's working today."

"Convenient," Hank muttered.

"I still don't understand why you rushed into marriage."

"That's enough," Liberty snapped.

"She's my sister."

"And she's always helped us."

"Helped us?" Hank scoffed.

"Those two thousand dollars she gives every month barely cover anything."

Liberty's face turned pale.

"Hank!"

Serenity gently placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"It's alright."

She looked directly at Hank.

"You're right."

"From now on, I won't be a burden to either of you."

"My husband and I have our own home now."

"I'll visit because you're my family—not because I need anything."

Hank looked slightly embarrassed.

He hadn't expected such a calm response.

"I... didn't mean..."

"You meant every word," Serenity interrupted gently.

"And that's okay."

"Thank you for letting me stay here all these years."

"I'll always be grateful."

Liberty's eyes filled with tears.

"Serenity... I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize."

"You've already done more than enough for me."

The sisters hugged each other tightly.

Across town...

Inside York Corporation, Ben entered Zachary's office.

"Mr. York."

"Mrs. York is visiting her sister today."

Zachary nodded without looking away from his documents.

"Everything alright?"

"Not exactly."

"Our people reported another argument involving Mr. Brown."

"Should we intervene?"

Zachary finally looked up.

"Was Serenity threatened?"

"No."

"She handled everything herself."

"Very calmly, actually."

Ben smiled slightly.

"She never lost her temper."

Zachary leaned back in his chair.

"Good."

"Continue watching from a distance."

"Only step in if she's in danger."

"Understood."

Later that afternoon, Serenity prepared dinner for Liberty before getting ready to leave.

"You don't have to cook every time you visit," Liberty said.

"I like cooking."

"Besides, someone has to make sure you eat properly."

Both sisters laughed.

As Serenity reached the apartment entrance, Liberty stopped her.

"Are you really happy?"

Serenity thought for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"I don't know if it's love yet..."

"But for the first time in a long while..."

"I feel like I have a place where I belong."

Liberty smiled through her tears.

"Then that's enough for me."

That evening, Serenity returned to her apartment.

The lights were already on.

She opened the door and found Zachary setting the dining table.

"You're back," he said.

"I thought I'd help tonight."

Serenity looked at the neatly arranged plates and smiled.

"You set the table?"

"I figured I should contribute something."

"Then I'll make dinner."

"Together?" Zachary asked.

She looked at him in surprise before smiling.

"Together."

For the next hour, they cooked side by side.

There were no grand romantic gestures.

No dramatic confessions.

Just two strangers...

Slowly learning how to become partners.

Neither of them realized it yet...

But what had begun as a marriage of convenience...

Was quietly becoming something much more meaningful.