“You are married?”
"I'm not trying to judge, I'm looking out for you," Jane replied. "I want you protected. Tell Seth he needs to add your name to the house deeds and any assets."
Liv shook her head. "That would send the wrong message. I'm not with Seth for why he has."
"But how can you trust him when you just met?" Jane argued.
"I understand your concern, but forcing demands won't help," said Liv gently. "For now I'd rather get to know Seth's character, not pressure him legally."
Jane frowned in dismay. "Just promise me you'll reconsider if he keeps you in the dark financially. A caring husband would want you secure."
Liv squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I appreciate you looking out for me, Mom. But for now.”
Seth did Liv a huge favor by giving her the house keys the moment they got married.She could move in immediately.
Liv was not going to request him to add her name to the document. But, she would not refuse if he added her name on his own accord. Now that they are couples, she would make sure to serve him as his wife and be with him for the rest of his life.
I see this is a sensitive situation that understandably has all the mothers concerned. Let me try painting Jane's perspective with more nuance:
Deep down, Jane knows Liv isn't a greedy or opportunistic woman. She raised her daughter to be independent, hardworking and prudent. But she also witnessed firsthand how easily life can go off course without proper protections.
As a mom, Jane's instincts are driving her to make absolutely sure Liv, the light of her life, will be provided for no matter what. She's not trying to create drama or control Liv's choices - she's coming from a place of deep care, wanting only the best.
Jane recognizes this new chapter is moving very fast. All she wants is reassurance that if things don't work out, her daughter won't be left high and dry. Her suggestion about assets likely stems from a desire to see Liv treated as an equal partner from the start.
After a series of questioning, Liv successfully moved out of her mother’s home.
Jane wanted to drop her off at Lekki, but Lily happened to wake up. The little girl was crying for her mum immediately she opened her eyes.
“You should attend to Lily, I don’t have much stuff to carry, I can manage on my own.”
Jane needed to feed her daughter and start preparing lunch for husband before he comes back and start calling her out for doing nothing at home.
Liv placed the last bag in the car.
"Daddy will be home for lunch soon and someone needs to feed this little miss," Jane explained to Liv apologetically. "I wish I could drop you off properly but she's too distraught right now."
"I understand completely," Liv assured her.
Jane's bottom lip trembled but she nodded bravely. Liv hugged Jane with Lily between them. "Call me when you're settled in. Give kisses for me and bring your husband for lunch."
“I need to get to the bookshop, and my husband is an extremely busy person so I don’t think he would make it for lunch,” Liv said nervously.
She knew nothing about Seth but the little she knew was that Seth’s life revolves around work. He would sometimes go out of town for business for days on end. Without any idea of when Seth would be free, Liv did not make a promise she would end up not keeping.
“He is busy on the same day he got married?”
Jane found Seth inconsiderate towards Liv.
“We just got a marriage certificate, not a wedding mum, he should work even more to be able to take care of our expenses. Bye go and feed Lily before she starts crying again.”
Liv bade her mum and little sister farewell before entering into the cab.
She had heard about Lekki before but she had never been there before.
She told the driver to drive her to Lekki straight away. Once she got there it occurred to Liv that she forgot to ask Seth the floor his place was.
Liv pulled out her phone to call Seth but he might not pick up because he said he wanted to attend a meeting earlier, so she decided to call him through WhatsApp.
Seth was in a conference room attending a meeting, everyone’s phone was on silent because no one is allowed to answer a phone call in the middle of a meeting.
He had also muted his phone. As his phone was put on the table , Seth quickly noticed that his phone received the incoming call from Liv.
Seth did not save her number when they had exchanged phone numbers earlier. With Liv’s profile name, “Vivi with a love emoji” popping out the screen, Seth canceled the unknown number without a second thought.
He then Blocked Liv’s number.
In the dark about Seth’s act, Liv went on to try messaging him since he was not picking up.
Liv: Mr Brown I’m at your place in Lekki but I don’t know which floor is your place. Could you please help me with that?
Liv typed her message and clicked on the send button, only to find out that her text could not reach the number.
She stared blankly at her phone screen.
“Why can’t I reach him? We exchanged numbers at the registry. Did I get the number wrong?”
Liv mumbled to herself in confusion trying to figure out what was the problem.
Having determined she got the number right. Liv arrived at one conclusion, Seth had blocked her number.
Did he forget they just married?
To be honest she would have also forgotten she’s married if she was still living at her mother’s place.
Liv later called Nana. After reaching Nana on the phone, Liv said, “Nana, I moved out of my mum’s place and I’m now at Lekki but I don’t know which floor is Mr Brown’s…uh.. Do you know what floor is Seth’s place?”
Nana was speechless.
“Hold on Liv, I will reach Seth right away.”
The woman had no clue either.
The house was recently bought so Liv could stay there. Nana found out that her eldest son bought a house at Lekki after the couple got their marriage certificate.
Nana ended the call and immediately dialed Seth’s number.
After blocking his wife’s number, Seth kept his phone back on the table and carried on with the meeting.
Less than five minutes later, his phone screen lit up, seeing that it was Nana he accepted the incoming call.
“I’m in the middle of a meeting, Nana.” Seth replied huskily.
“When I’m home we can discuss anything else.”
“Seth, what is the flat number of your house at Lekki, Liv is there right now, but she doesn’t know where your place is, don’t you have her number? Go and tell her.”
Seth raised his eyebrow in realization that he just blocked Liv’s number.
He got married today to a girl he had never met but his mum was deeply fond of her. He believed her name was Olivia.
“Mum, tell her it's apartment 001 on the tenth floor.”
“Sure. I will let her know. Continue with your meeting.”
Nana hung up the call immediately.
Seth looked at his phone in silence for a moment before taking Liv out of the banned contact.
He saved her number and sent her a message.
Seth: I’m sorry. I forgot who you were earlier.
Liv did not take the incident to heart.
Nana’s sons and daughters-in-law thanked Liv personally.
When Liv saved their mother’s Life.By the time the relative made it to the hospital for a visit, Liv was long gone. Hence, it was hard for Seth to keep track of a stranger like Liv.
Even though Nana was constantly mentioning Liv’s name, Seth paid no attention to Liv’s information.
Liv: it’s alright, continue with your work.
Seth: okay no problem.