Chapter 31

Charles Clark shot to his feet, his face turning deathly pale. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he stared at Michael Stone, lying unconscious on the hospital bed.

"Brother Michael... why isn't he waking up?"

Daniel River and Samuel Bright were startled by his reaction. They exchanged a glance before rushing to the bedside.

Samuel's fingers shook as he checked Michael's breathing. Relieved to feel the faint rise and fall of his chest, he exhaled sharply before glaring at Charles.

"What's wrong with you? He's fine!"

Charles clutched his hair, his voice unsteady. "Just now... he kept calling out, 'Emily, don't go...'"

The room fell silent.

All three of them knew—Emily had been talking about returning to the city. Michael had left partly to earn money, partly to avoid the issue.

"The doctor said he just needs rest," Samuel muttered, lowering his voice. "He's exhausted. Let him sleep."

On the bed, Michael's brow furrowed, his lips moving faintly. "Emily... don't leave... don't divorce me..."

Daniel's heart ached. "Should we... do something?"

"Do what?" Samuel scoffed. "Wake him up and tell him Emily isn't leaving?"

Silence settled over them again.

Emily Johnson sat in the courtyard, reading under the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.

"Miss Emily!" A child peeked over the fence.

"What is it?" She closed her book.

"Someone's waiting for you at the hillside!" The child dashed off before she could respond.

Emily frowned. The hillside? Who would be looking for her?

Glancing at the house where David and Tommy were napping, she decided to ignore it.

On the hillside, Sophia Green paced impatiently.

"Why isn't she coming?" she snapped at Peter Wilson.

Peter licked his lips. "Miss Sophia, about the money—"

"Patience," Sophia sneered. "You'll get your share soon enough."

A dark glint flashed in Peter's eyes. Today, he would finally take revenge for the humiliation Michael had dealt him years ago.

"Just wait a little longer," Sophia hissed through gritted teeth. "She'll come."