"I'll talk to my parents. The past is in the past. Besides, it wasn't just your fault. I was at fault too. In fact, the biggest mistake was mine.
"You were young back then and had little life experience. That was why I was able to fool you so easily. I was the one who was unfaithful in my marriage. I ruined your life as well as my own.
"We both paid the price for the mistakes we made in our youth, so stop dwelling on the past and move forward. It's enough as long as we can enjoy a peaceful old age together."
Thinking back on those years made Jessica's eyes redden. She had also hoped to settle down in the big city through marriage. She had been attracted by Hank's high income and the apartment he owned in Wiltspoon.
Even when the property prices fell, the apartment they lived in barely lost value because of its location and proximity to good schools.
When Liberty divorced Hank, she smashed up all the renovations. After Jessica married into the family, they renovated the place again according to Jessica's tastes. At that time, Liberty's life had already turned around, and the Brown family had begun to regret.
Back then, Jessica had truly looked forward to building a happy life with Hank. She believed she had firmly established herself in Wiltspoon with a home of her own. Hank had even promised to add her name to the property deed.
Then, however, so many things happened...
When she stabbed Hank, she had intended for them to die together. At that moment, she had truly hated him.
Hank was lucky enough to survive while she added another crime to her sentence. After Hank recovered, he chose to forgive her.
He visited her regularly at prison, encouraged her to reform, and promised that he would wait for her.
Slowly, she came to terms with everything. She worked hard to rehabilitate herself and earned several sentence reductions. When she was released, Hank kept his promise. Now, putting aside her parents-in-law and sister-in-law, she was actually living a good life.
"Your parents are getting old and need us to take care of them. After you and Sonny talked to them, they've treated me a little better. It's just that your mother starts hurling insults at me again whenever your sister visits.
"Hank, I'm not trying to complain, but Chelsea really is terrible."
Hank pursed his lips and said, "I know she is. Even I can't stand her sometimes and don't want her to come, but there's no helping it since our parents are here. They're old now and still think of her as their daughter, so I can't shut the door in her face.
"In the future, tell me whenever she comes. I'll come back. She won't dare to do anything while I'm around. Right now, all she wants is to arrange blind dates for Sonny."
"Don't ever listen to her," Jessica reminded him. "Sonny has his mother, stepfather, and even his aunt and uncle looking out for him. Their social circle is on a completely different level, and they have good judgment. Whoever they choose for Sonny will surely be an outstanding woman."
Hank nodded. "We know. Even my parents understand that. That's why they don't want Chelsea meddling in Sonny's marriage. Sonny has his own opinions. With his current status, it's hard enough for Chelsea to get a chance to see him, let alone influence such an important decision as his marriage."
"Enough about that. Go downstairs and join them. I'll finish the dishes, then relax and watch some TV."
Jessica pushed Hank toward the door, opened it, and sent him downstairs to accompany his parents. It was a rare opportunity for him to spend more time with his son and chat.
Sonny could not stay long. He would surely be heading home after the walk.
"Just take a stroll around the neighborhood and chat with a few people. Don't rush to come back. Let me have some time to myself as well. When your parents are home, I don't even get the chance to watch TV."
The elderly couple always occupied the television. Jessica did not want to argue with them, nor could she win if she did.
"Okay, we'll come back a little later. Get some rest after you've finished the dishes. Do you want me to bring back some fruit?"