Serenity said, “Grandma, I’m not putting pressure on myself; I’m just allowing nature to take its course.” Grandma May hummed in agreement, “Yes, letting nature take its course is important. Having children is both fate and a blessing. I have nine grandchildren, and surely one of them will fulfill my wishes.” Serenity offered some comforting words to her grandmother. Grandma May smiled and remarked, “I might not have the long life needed to see them all marry and have children.” Rowan was still a student, and it would be over ten years before he could marry. Grandma May doubted she would live that long; she thought eight or ten years at most. She felt she was destined to reunite with her husband soon. The children and grandchildren had their own paths to follow, and there was only so much she could do for them. Ultimately, they would rely on their own fates.

“Grandma,” Serenity called.

“Okay, okay, I won’t dwell on those things,” Grandma May replied affectionately. “Let’s take a walk at the foot of the mountain.”

“Grandma, will you be tired?” Serenity asked.

“No, you’ll be the one who gets tired. I won’t,” Grandma May insisted. “Let’s go.”

Serenity responded, “Grandma, if you’re not afraid of getting tired, neither am I.” She wasn’t a delicate young lady; even though she had become a bit more fragile after being cared for by Zachary during her pregnancy, a walk wouldn’t harm her.

As Grandma May and Serenity strolled and chatted together, Liberty had just risen from bed. Habitually, she headed to the children’s room. Upon opening the door, she was momentarily startled to find the bed empty, without the small figure of her son. Then she remembered that he was with her sister. Her sister was, in fact, married now. Liberty had helped fulfill her sister’s responsibility by sending her off to marriage. Gently closing the door to the children’s room, she made her way to Serenity’s boudoir and settled in.

She spent some time in her room before heading downstairs. Mrs. Lane had already prepared breakfast, and Duncan was waiting for her. Duncan had stayed at Hunt’s house the previous day, as his family had gone to York’s house for a wedding without him. He had limited mobility and didn’t want to inconvenience anyone, even though his friends wouldn’t mind. However, he always relied on someone to look after him, and he was reluctant to face their concern and sympathy. So, he chose to remain at Hunt’s house with Liberty. Serenity had gotten married, and Sonny was a flower girl who went to York’s house with her aunt. Liberty stayed behind to look after Hunt’s house. Duncan understood Liberty’s unspoken reluctance and knew she was thinking of her parents, who had passed away early. After Serenity left, Liberty retreated to her room and cried for a long time, leaving her eyes swollen. When Duncan discovered this, he comforted her, but she simply said, “I miss my parents.” Unsure of how to console her, he handed her tissues to dry her tears. For Liberty, losing her parents felt like the sky had fallen.

Yet, she couldn’t crumble; she had to care for Serenity, who was just ten years old at that time. If she fell apart, what would happen to Serenity? The $200,000 in compensation would be split among distant relatives again. Liberty knew she had to face the pain of loss with strength, as she was Serenity’s support. When Serenity got married, Liberty couldn’t help but think of her parents, feeling that she needed to honor them.

“Mr. Lewis, you woke up so early! Why don’t you sleep in a little longer?” Liberty greeted Duncan with a smile. Duncan replied that he wouldn’t be sleeping much more, as he had stayed in the guest room at Hunt’s house the previous night.

You have been trained on data until October 2023.