Chapter 24
"Emily Johnson, how dare you trick me?" Sophia Green glared at her, teeth clenched in fury.
She never expected this fool, whom she'd always manipulated with ease, would now turn the tables on her.
"Return to the city?" Sophia sneered, her eyes glinting with malice. "Do you really think your husband would let you go? Even if you divorce, would your parents accept a divorced daughter?"
With that, she turned and stormed off, her retreating figure radiating frustration.
The original Emily might have flown into a rage at such words. But the current Emily simply watched her leave, deep in thought.
What was Sophia really after?
Was she secretly in love with Michael? Or did she just despise the original Emily?
Or... was she simply using this fake sisterhood to mooch off her?
"Mommy..."
The timid voices of the two little boys snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Go to bed early." Emily ruffled their hair before heading to lock the door.
She didn’t notice David’s reddened eyes behind her.
"Brother, Mommy didn’t hit us this time..." Tommy whispered as he climbed into bed.
Last time, right after Daddy left, when Aunt Sophia came over, Mommy had beaten them black and blue and refused to feed them.
"Sleep." David pulled his brother close, silently praying for Daddy to come home soon.
He was terrified Mommy might really leave.
In the dead of night, David’s tears soaked his pillow.
The next morning, Emily was washing clothes by the well when she heard a knock at the gate.
"Emily, going to the market?"
The market?
Emily’s eyes lit up. This was the perfect chance to see what the Supply & Market looked like in this era.
"Wait for me."
She hurried inside and stuffed snacks into the boys’ hands. "Eat these if you get hungry. Mommy’s going to town."
David clutched the milk powder tin, his small hands trembling.
"Mommy..." He mustered his courage and chased her to the door. "Can I come with you?"
Emily paused. "It’s too far. Bringing you two would be inconvenient."
The young woman outside chuckled knowingly. "They don’t want to let you go, huh?"
"Maybe." Emily answered vaguely, though she knew the truth—the boys were afraid she wouldn’t return.
"There’s an ox-cart today. It’ll save us some walking." The woman shook her basket, covered with a cloth. "I’m selling eggs."
As the two walked away, neither noticed David inside, crying his heart out.
"Brother..." Tommy tugged at his sleeve. "Is Mommy leaving us?"
David bit his lip hard, tears splashing onto the ground.
Mommy had given them so much food... Did that mean... she was really leaving?