Chapter 143

"Mom, Tommy's crying again!" Emily shouted from the living room.

In the kitchen, Sophia was busy stir-frying vegetables, her apron tied securely around her waist. The range hood roared loudly as she replied without turning around, "Let him cry. It’s good for his lungs."

"But he's been crying for ten minutes already!" Emily stomped her foot impatiently.

Sophia calmly sprinkled salt into the pan. "Perfect. Another ten minutes, and dinner will be ready."

Emily huffed and stormed into the kitchen. "Can’t you just comfort him first?"

"Comfort him?" Sophia turned down the heat and raised an eyebrow. "Who’s going to cook, then? Your father’s away on business, and you can’t even make scrambled eggs. If I don’t cook, we’ll all go hungry tonight."

"But—"

"No buts." Sophia swiftly plated the vegetables and handed the dish to her daughter. "Take this out. Either you go comfort him, or let him keep crying. Frankly, I’d rather cook ten meals than babysit for a single minute today."

Emily gaped. "What kind of logic is that?"

"It’s called survival wisdom." Sophia wiped her hands. "Remember, the woman who controls the kitchen holds the power in the house."

Just then, Tommy’s crying stopped abruptly. They peeked into the living room to find the toddler happily gnawing on the TV remote.

"See?" Sophia smirked. "Kids stop crying when they’re tired. Now, we can eat in peace."

Emily: "......"

"Waaah—" Tommy's wail shattered the quiet of the yard.

David's words struck like a knife, hitting his little brother's deepest fear. Tiny fingers clutched desperately at his brother's sleeve as tears streamed down his flushed face.

Mary Stone nearly dropped her chores. "Goodness, what's all this crying about?"

"Grandma," Tommy hiccuped, "did Mommy abandon us?"

John Stone Sr. barely stepped into the courtyard before the commotion sent him striding inside. "What's going on here?"

"It's about Michael and Emily's trip to town," Mary sighed, dabbing at Tommy's cheeks. "The boys think their parents aren't coming back."

John frowned. "Nonsense! They just went to sell some mountain goods."

But David's eyes glistened too. "It's getting dark... They're not home yet..."

"Probably stayed at the inn." John glanced at the fading light, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

Mary shot him a look. "Will you comfort them or make dinner?"

"Dinner!" John declared without hesitation, already retreating toward the kitchen. "I'd cook ten meals rather than deal with crying children!"

Mary produced her treasured malt candy. "Here, sweethearts. Mommy and Daddy will be back tomorrow."

Then David hiccuped through his tears. "Grandma... I want to wait at home."

"Home!" Tommy instantly echoed.

Two pairs of damp eyes pleaded as small hands tugged at Mary's sleeves. Her resolve crumbled. "Old man, I'm taking them to Michael's place!"

Clanging pots answered from the kitchen. "Dinner's almost ready!"

"Eat it yourself!" Mary called back, already leading the boys out.

Beyond the gate, twilight deepened. Three elongated shadows stretched across the dusty path.