Chapter 76

Rain fell in dense, slanting sheets as the villagers hurried home with their farming tools.

"William, your brother is back," Patricia whispered, her eyes darting nervously.

William Stone paused, his pipe hovering mid-air. "I heard yesterday."

Suddenly, he remembered his father's words—once Michael returned, the family would divide. The rain showed no sign of stopping, and with no work in the fields, this was the perfect time for the split.

Patricia rubbed her hands anxiously. "You don’t think he’ll come looking for trouble, do you?" She recalled her fight with Emily and how Richard had bullied David and Tommy. Her stomach twisted with unease.

William paled. Michael had never cared much for brotherly bonds.

"What can we do?" He crushed the pipe’s embers underfoot. "We can only hope he shows mercy."

Meanwhile, Michael was busy simmering bone broth. Pork bones and seaweed rolled in the pot, filling the air with a rich aroma.

"Emily, I’ll call them for dinner," he said, grabbing an umbrella. "Keep an eye on the fire."

Emily nodded and turned to slice the boiled pork belly. Two pots steamed on the stove—one for the broth, the other ready for braised pork.

"Mom, I'm hungry," Tommy whined, clinging to the counter.

"Just a little longer," Emily assured him, swiftly chopping the meat before kneading dough for pan-fried dumplings.

Michael soon returned, trailed by a small crowd.

"Michael, what’s cooking? Smells amazing!" Charles Clark boomed as he stepped inside.

Mary lifted the lid and gasped at the golden dumplings encircling the braised pork. "Emily, your cooking’s improved!"

Emily smiled faintly, flipping the sizzling vegetables with her spatula. From the corner of her eye, she noticed William and Patricia lingering at the gate, their expressions uneasy.

"William, Patricia, come in," Michael said, his tone unreadable.

William forced himself forward, heart pounding. This meal wouldn’t be easy to swallow.