Chapter 68

The courtyard gate remained shut. Whether Emily Johnson was home would be revealed with a knock.

Samuel Bright took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock. What must come would come.

Inside, Emily frowned at the sound. "David and Tommy are back already?" she murmured. But the children had just left—they couldn't have returned so soon.

Besides, her boys would've called "Mommy" by now.

The silence outside confirmed these weren't her children. "Sophia Green again?" Her chest tightened. The woman had visited just yesterday. At this hour, all the villagers should be working in the fields.

"Who is it?" she called out.

Outside, several men exhaled in relief at the familiar voice. She hadn't left. She was still here.

The door opened. Emily's heart skipped a beat at the unfamiliar faces. "Who are you?" She forced calm into her voice.

The four men froze. Had their sister-in-law/Emily really forgotten them after just a month?

Emily's palms grew damp. Could the male lead be among them? The protagonist had indeed been away for ages.

This was bad. Her question might expose her.

Samuel's eyes twinkled as he smoothed things over. "Sis, don't pretend you don't recognize us just because we're late. We came back the moment our business wrapped up."

Daniel River and Charles Clark relaxed. So their sister-in-law was just upset with Michael.

"Sis, it's my fault," the lanky man said guiltily. "If I hadn't been careless, Michael wouldn't have gotten hurt. Then he could've returned sooner."

Emily's tension eased slightly. These two probably weren't the male lead.

"Come inside." She stepped aside.

The remaining two bore some resemblance. Which one was the protagonist? Her pulse raced.

"Thanks, sis." They filed in.

"Would you like some water?"

"We'd appreciate that."

She turned to prepare sugar water—the standard hospitality offering.

Michael noticed his wife avoiding his gaze. Still angry?

During this trip, he'd witnessed the bustle of big cities. No wonder she wanted to return. If she insisted on leaving, he'd take David and Tommy with her. They'd find work to support the family somehow.

Emily sensed an intense stare. Turning, she met deep-set eyes.

Buzz cut, sharp brows beneath a strong forehead. This had to be the male lead.

Truly handsome men looked good even with military haircuts.

"Sis, we should head out," Samuel stood.

"After days on the train, we reek."

"Sis, I'll take off too."

The three bid farewell in turn. Only the man who'd been watching her remained.

"Safe travels..." She mechanically saw them out, her heart pounding like a drum.