Chapter 8 Marital Strife

• Hannah had been this way with Jacob for the past twenty years, as though she wanted nothing to do with him apart from her daughters.
• Jacob used to be extra patient with her during their first few years of marriage, and he would often coax her. But as time passed, all that remained by then were endless squabbles and cold glances.
• Seeing the way her parents interacted with each other, Michaela retracted her gaze.
• When did this begin?
• It probably started when Dad got busier with work after making more connections. He went from rarely coming home for dinner to not even coming back at all. They seem like they just hate each other now.
• Does love always fade away with time?
• Michaela subconsciously tightened her grip on the steering wheel to the point that her knuckles turned white. Even so, she didn't seem to feel any pain.
• Sommer Gardens was in the suburbs of Quakersville. The Xander family had bought this piece of land in the year Michaela and Zack's union was confirmed, despite it being undeveloped.
• Then, the Xanders spent the next few years getting the best architects and designers to establish the mansion, indicating how much they treasured their future daughter-in-law.
• Located halfway up a hill and surrounded by lush greenery, the area had a stunning view and was the perfect place to live in. Michaela had fallen in love with this mansion the moment she visited it.
• But this time, she had conflicting feelings going over there.
• As they drove into the courtyard, the Lingards spotted Zack's parents exiting their Lincoln. The couple, who noticed that Michaela's family had arrived, glanced at each other before Yvonne began walking toward the Land Rover.
• “Mr. and Mrs. Xander!”
• After parking the vehicle, Michaela hopped down and greeted her future in-laws politely.
• Yvonne held the younger woman's hand with affection before turning to Jacob and Hannah apologetically. “You're both here too? Seriously, what on earth is Zack up to at this time? The wedding's tomorrow! What's so urgent that he had to call everyone over?”
• Despite looking calm, Yvonne was rather bewildered too.
• She had received her son's phone call half an hour ago, telling her and Quentin to come over at once. It was after seeing the Lingards here, too, that she realized the situation wasn't as simple as she thought it was.
• Little did the woman know that what awaited her inside the mansion was something she would have never expected.
• Hannah's expression turned solemn as she heard Yvonne's words. “We also rushed over after getting a call. We were worried that something might've happened here.”
• “Oh, come on! What could ever happen?” Having concealed his wrath the moment he alighted the car, Jacob was smiling from ear to ear.
• After hearing what Hannah had said, he even shot her a glare before turning to Quentin with a grin. “Maybe Zack just wants to give Mich a surprise. The love between them matters more than anything else!”
• Surprise?
• Would there be crying in the background if it were really a surprise?
• Michaela scoffed deep down. It'd better not be a shock instead.
• “You might be right! Let's head in.”
• Having given Zack a good lecture internally, Yvonne remained smiling and walked into the mansion with Michaela's hand in hers. “You look gorgeous as always, Mich. You're going to stun everyone at the wedding tomorrow.”
• She genuinely liked this lady. However, they soon heard sobs coming from inside the building.
• After exchanging glances, everyone strode along the hallway before coming to a horrific sight in the living room.