Sonny nodded. “I know, Mom. I’ll tell Dad to hide the box so Aunt Chel can’t find it. Why does Aunt Chel like taking stuff from Dad’s house?“Lucas used to take my toys too. I even cried. Grandmom said Lucas would return my toy after some time, but he never did.”Although Sonny was only two years old two years ago, he still remembered how his grandmom sided with Lucas. “About Chelsea… That’s something for the adults to think about. You’re still young. Don’t pay any mind to it.”Chelsea’s parents were to blame for her selfish behavior and habit of leeching off her family. Hank also played a part by allowing his parents to spoil his sister. Even he helped her out a lot in the past. Whenever Chelsea visited, he would get Liberty to prepare whatever dishes Chelsea wanted to eat, no matter how expensive they were. He also specifically asked for large portions to be made so that Chelsea could have her fill. Chelsea loved seafood. Her favorites were pricey ones like lobsters and crab
Liberty’s old neighbors even told her how terrible life had been for the Brown family for the past two years. A lady who used to be close to Liberty and Serenity pulled Liberty’s hand. She said, “The Brown family is unfortunate. Your living a better life than them is the best revenge.”Liberty smiled. “I don’t want to get revenge. I just want to live my own life. Whether they’re doing well or not doesn’t concern me.”“Of course. You’re kind and generous. There’s no need to stoop down to their level.”The lady caressed Sonny’s face. “Sonny has grown so much. He’s in preschool now, right? Getting more handsome as he grows. He looks just like you, Liberty.”“Hello,” Sonny greeted the lady. She smiled. “What a good boy.”Sonny had always been an obedient child as she recalled. The residents loved to tease the boy whenever Liberty or Serenity brought him out to play. What was the Brown family thinking? How could they not love such an adorable kid?Mr. and Mrs. Brown would rather
“Dad.”Sonny ran toward Hank when he spotted his father. Hank stepped forward and bent over to lift his son. He then kissed Sonny’s cheeks several times and rubbed his face against Sonny’s. They seemed close.Indeed, Hank had been treating Sonny well. Liberty only pushed Duncan over after Hank and Sonny were done.Hank’s gaze landed on Liberty’s face. She had a rosy complexion and charming eyes. Her expression was gentle, and she had a slight smile. However, it was not because she was being friendly toward Hank. She was simply in a good mood because she and Duncan finally got married and just had their wedding night. “Sorry for making you bring Sonny over, Liberty.”They initially agreed on having Liberty drop Sonny off at the neighborhood’s entrance, where he should have been waiting. However, he missed the timing because he was quarreling with Chelsea. Liberty had no choice but to bring Sonny inside. Hank knew she did not really want to return to the neighborhood, h
“You must come pick me up with Mom, Dunc. Okay?”“Of course.”Duncan could not bear leaving Sonny. He was already missing Sonny even though the little man was still right before him. Sonny slid down and returned to Hank’s side. Hank held his hand. He was about to say something to Duncan but ultimately decided against it. “Sonny and I shall head up now. His grandparents are waiting for him.”Liberty hummed in approval.She and Duncan stood and watched Hank walk away with Sonny. Sonny kept looking back and waving at them. Duncan tried his best to restrain himself from running forward to hug Sonny. He kept chanting mentally, ‘Hank is Sonny’s biological dad.’Letting the father and son reunite once in a while was perfectly normal. As a stepfather, he could not stop Hank and Sonny from hanging out together. Luckily, it was only for two days. Duncan was thankful that Liberty had brought Sonny to FC Manor right after winter vacation started instead of letting the Browns t
Even Corey dared not do anything to Liberty, let alone the relatives. They were not fools.They would not incite arguments like Chelsea. Moreover, Liberty had the backing of the York and Stone families. The Wiltspoonians knew how much Serenity cared about her sister. Serenity would fight anyone who dared harm Liberty. If Serenity wanted to fight, Zachary would not sit still either. “I’m not my past self. I won’t get bullied.“Now that I think about it, I don’t know why I was so stupid back then. I was a housewife whose world revolved around my husband and baby. Even so, I was mistreated.”Liberty did not take care of her health as well. She let herself overeat to the point her weight became unhealthy. At that time, she thought she could afford to gain some weight since she was already married and had given birth. She also stopped dressing up. After the divorce, Liberty realized that women, especially married women, should love themselves. How could a woman expect oth
Luke and Olivia came over as well. Luke pushed Chelsea aside and said, “Move to the side. Don’t scare Sonny.”The old couple was all smiles when they turned to face Sonny. They fought over who to carry Sonny, but the little guy ultimately chose Luke. To him, his grandmom was the same as Aunt Chel. Granddad was much better. Luke sat on the sofa with Sonny in his arms. Lucas was also sitting on the sofa and eating snacks.Hank had bought those for Sonny when he returned. When Lucas saw Sonny, he did not greet or hug him like brothers usually do. Instead, he quickly took the plate filled with snacks away and said, “These are all mine.”Sonny frowned. Lucas was still as bossy and gluttonous as before. Whenever Lucas came to his house, he snatched his toys or food. ‘Oh, it’s Dad’s house,’ thought Sonny. It could not be considered his house. The place where he and his mother lived was his home. “Lucas.”Chelsea scolded her son, “Your uncle bought those snacks for Sonny.
If it were not for the fear that his mother would scold him when they got home, Lucas would have rushed over to have a go at Sonny. He would just wait until the adults were busy and their attention diverted settling the score with Sonny. It was just a two-day visit, but Sonny made it seem like he was the crown prince back from winning the war.“Sonny, didn’t you bring any Christmas gifts for your dad or Granddad and Grandmom? I’m really craving steak. Your mom knows I love steak, but she didn’t even prepare a big box of prime Kobe beef cuts for you to bring back.”Chelsea opened Sonny’s small suitcase and looked through it. Besides Sonny’s clothes, there were only a few toys. She was about to open the three gift boxes to check what was inside, but Hank quickly smacked her hand aside.“These are the supplements Sonny brought for me and our parents,” Hank said. He then hurriedly took the boxes back to his room. Chelsea was like a thief—if the things were not locked away in his roo
“Sonny is still a child. As his aunt, you didn’t even prepare a Christmas gift for him, and you have the nerve to ask him for one?! Have you even prepared gifts for your mother and me?“Liberty is rich now because of her capability. Now that she’s well-off, you expect her to prepare Christmas gifts for you, her former sister-in-law? Who do you think you are?“She treated you so well in the past that she would buy and cook whatever you wanted when you visited. Though the money came from Hank’s earnings, if Liberty hadn’t been willing to do it, do you think Hank could have done anything about it?“She shouldn’t have been so good to you and allowed you to get used to it. You’re always trying to take advantage of others when she doesn’t owe you anything. Hank and Liberty are divorced now! But even if they’re still married, how do you have the gall to take so many things from us when you come home empty-handed?“Let me ask you—have you ever left empty-handed from here? Even a roll of to