Chapter 67

"Michael, just one more turn and we're there!" Charles Clark rubbed his hands excitedly, his sun-darkened face alight with anticipation. He patted the bulging pocket of his coat, where he kept all the money he'd earned on this trip. With this, he could finally marry Daisy in style.

Michael Stone gazed out the window at the familiar fields, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. It had been a month—had Emily grown taller? Had David and Tommy been eating well? His fingers brushed against the hidden pocket on his chest, where the candies he'd bought for the children were tucked away.

"Finally home," Daniel River said with a stretch, his honest face breaking into a wide grin.

Only Samuel Bright remained tight-lipped, his brows furrowed so deeply they could crush a fly. The night before they left, he'd heard his sister-in-law throwing things in the house, screaming hysterically about going back to the city. What if she was already gone when they returned?

"Next stop: XXXX..."

The announcement cut through Samuel's thoughts. The four men stood in unison, jostling toward the exit with the crowd.

"Michael, should we grab a bite first or head straight for the next bus?" Charles asked, lugging two heavy suitcases, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Michael checked his watch. "We'll eat when we reach town." His voice was hoarse, and the wound on his left arm still throbbed faintly.

Samuel reached out to steady him, but Michael subtly sidestepped the gesture. Straightening his back, he strode ahead with purpose. The other three exchanged glances before hurrying after him.

After two bus transfers, they arrived in town by mid-afternoon. Starving, the four men rushed into a noodle shop and devoured three large bowls between them.

"Isn't that Michael Stone?" Muttered whispers drifted in from outside.

"Word is his wife—"

"Peter Wilson's family is in for it..."

Fragments of conversation reached their table. Charles scratched his head. "Michael, why are they staring at us?"

Samuel's chopsticks clattered onto the table. Daniel quickly smoothed things over. "We've been gone so long—people are just curious!"

But the further they walked toward the village, the more pointed the stares became. Samuel's heart hammered in his throat. He stole a glance at Michael, whose jaw was clenched tight, his strides growing faster.

Under the old locust tree at the village entrance, a group of women sat cracking sunflower seeds. At the sight of them, the chatter abruptly died. One bold woman called out, "Michael, your wife—"

Michael froze, his gaze sharp as a blade. The woman swallowed the rest of her words.

"Move," Michael ground out through his teeth, hauling his luggage forward. The three men exchanged uneasy looks but followed.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the dusty village road. In the distance, the Stone family's small courtyard was just coming into view.