Chapter 30

"None for you!" Mary Stone declared sharply, shooting Patricia a withering glare.

Grace and Jack had already taken their seats at the table, watching eagerly as Mary went to fetch the mooncake. When she emerged carrying a mooncake the size of a dinner plate, the entire family gasped.

"T-that's enormous!" Richard stammered.

Patricia's face twisted with regret, her eyes nearly popping out of her head. But Mary remained unmoved, deftly slicing the mooncake into eight equal portions, each as large as a palm.

"Mom, there's meat inside this mooncake?" Richard exclaimed after taking a bite.

At this, Patricia stormed off, slamming the bedroom door behind her. Richard and his sons devoured their portions without saving even a bite for her.

Meanwhile, Emily Johnson bustled by the stove. The sizzle of pork strips in hot oil filled the kitchen with mouthwatering aromas. David and Tommy perched at the table, eyes glued to the frying pan.

"How about dumplings for dinner?" Emily wiped her brow.

Tommy cheered: "Yes! I want ten!"

But David hesitated. "Mom, can we invite Grandma to join us?"

Emily's hand jerked, nearly dropping the spatula. She couldn't possibly make dumplings from scratch! Frozen ones might fool the children, but never sharp-eyed Mary.

"We'll invite Grandpa and Grandma when Daddy comes home," she quickly deflected.

"Michael! Wake up!" Charles Clark knelt by the hospital bed, weeping uncontrollably. "This is all my fault! If anything happens to you, how could I face Emily?"

Samuel Bright paced anxiously. "Daniel, pull him away! He'll reopen the wound shaking Michael like that!"

Daniel River tugged with all his might, but Charles didn't budge. The ward echoed with Charles' wails, making neighboring patients cover their ears.

"Enough!" Samuel finally snapped. "Let him rest!"

Charles quieted instantly, deflated like a punctured balloon. Daniel sighed. "You always act first and think later. Now Michael took that knife for you. How are we getting home tomorrow?"

Samuel massaged his temples as he delegated tasks. "Daniel, get blood-building tonics. I'll find the doctor. Charles, you watch Michael - one more sound and you're out!"

As they dispersed, peace finally returned to the ward.

But in his unconscious state, Michael Stone wandered through eerie dreams. He saw Emily standing in mist, giving him one cold glance before turning away.

"Emily! Wait!" He chased desperately but couldn't catch up. Her silhouette faded into the white fog.

"Michael! Wake up!" Charles panicked at Michael's murmurs, gripping the bedrail until his nails dug into his palms.

If this delay made Emily give up and return to the city... Charles couldn't bear to finish the thought.