Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

“I will, Nana.”

Serenity casually responded.

Although Grandma May was nice to her, Zachary was her blood relative while Serenity was only related to the family by marriage. Serenity found it hard to believe that the Yorks would stand by Serenity during a conflict between the couple.

Such was the case with her sister’s in-laws.

Pre-marriage, the in-laws were nothing but good to Serenity’s sister to the point their birth daughter was jealous.

It was a different story post-nuptial. Every time Serenity’s sister got into a disagreement with the husband, her mother-in-law would get on Serenity’s sister’s case about being a bad wife.

In short, the son was always family while the daughter-in-law remained as an outsider.

“You must be heading to work, so I should get out of your hair. I’ll get Zack to get you home for dinner tonight.”

“Nana, I’m closing the shop pretty late at night. I probably won’t be able to make it. Can we reschedule for the weekend?”

The school was off on weekends. Since the bookshop’s livelihood depended on students, business was slow on days when school was out. She would have time and no need to set up shop during such occasions.

“Sure.”

Grandma May thoughtfully added, “The weekend, it is. Go on with your work then.”

The old lady hung up the call.

Instead of heading straight to the shop, Serenity sent a text message to her best friend, Jasmine Sox, that she would make it back before the last school bell rang.

With one major milestone ticked off her list, Serenity had to let her sister know and move out of her place.

ten minutes later.

at her sister’s

clothes out to dry on the balcony. Seeing that Serenity was home, her sister expressed her concern.

busy in the afternoon. Is Sonny awake

Serenity’s nephew. The boy was currently in

be

night as she helped

out. He’s simply under a lot of stress.

clarified for her husband.

herself, knowing well that it was

was working in the same firm when they later got married. After marriage, the man lovingly said to Liberty, “I’ll take care of you. Just stay at home and rest. I don’t want you to be tired

no time to dress up between caring for a child and managing housework. Liberty paid no thought to watch her figure,

years, Liberty went from a young and beautiful woman to an overweight and unkempt housewife with

than her sister. Their parents passed away from a car accident when Serenity was ten. Since then, Serenity and Liberty only had

would have been enough for the sisters to complete their studies, but the grandparents from both sides of the family wanted a piece of it. With what was left, the sisters had

to renting. Their renting days were finally over

talked to her then husband-to-be about the living arrangement before marriage. The man was quick to say yes about taking Liberty and Serenity as a one-package

sorry, Liberty. I’m a burden to you.”

Don’t think that way. Mom and Dad left us too soon. I’m all

could always count on her sister, but now

silence, Serenity took out the marriage license and showed it to Liberty. She said, “I’m married, Liberty. I just signed

“You got married?!”

pitch, almost to a screech.

a closer inspection. There was her sister’s name alongside a stranger’s name on the papers. Attached

this about, Serenity? I thought you

but his piercing eyes and callous lines along his facial features were telltale