Chapter 79

Emily Johnson sat by the window, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress. The cicadas buzzed relentlessly outside, but their noise did nothing to ease the restlessness in her heart.

The thought of divorce lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.

"Go back to my parents' house?" She scoffed at the idea. The family of the original owner, who favored sons over daughters, would only see her as a burden. The educated youth dormitory wasn’t a long-term solution either—since the policy had loosened, most of its residents had already left.

Rent a place in town? The supplies from PennyDeals could ensure she never went hungry. But the moment she pictured David and Tommy’s bright, hopeful eyes, her heart melted into a puddle.

"Damn it..." Emily rubbed her temples. In her past life, she had been known for her iron will—so why did she have so many attachments now that she was trapped in this novel?

And then there was Michael Stone. The way he looked at her had grown deeper, as if trying to pull her into an abyss. How much longer could she keep up the amnesia act? She had no idea.

Snapping her book shut, Emily raked a hand through her hair in frustration. After over twenty years of never falling for anyone, was she really about to lose her heart in this fictional world?

Outside, Michael stood silently in the moonlight, its silver glow softening his sharp features. Watching her troubled expression through the window, his lips curved into an unconscious, tender smile.

"Dad?" David rubbed his sleepy eyes as he appeared behind him.

Michael crouched down, pressing a finger to his lips. "Mom’s studying. Let’s not disturb her."

Meanwhile, in the educated youth dormitory, Sophia Green was pacing like a trapped animal. The moment she heard Michael had returned, her enamel mug clattered to the floor.

"This is bad, this is bad..." She gnawed at her nails nervously. If Emily told anyone about that night—

Sophia suddenly lunged for the cabinet, digging out her saved ration coupons and money. She had to leave this godforsaken place as soon as possible!

"Captain Stone, I want to return to the city!" She burst into the office, her hair disheveled from running.

John Stone Sr. looked up from his ledger, his gaze sharp. This troublemaking educated youth, who had incited his daughter-in-law to seek a divorce, was someone he’d been waiting to deal with.

"Fill out the form." The old captain slowly pushed a sheet of paper toward her. "But I’ll warn you—without a receiving unit in the city..."

"I know!" Sophia snatched the pen, her hand trembling as she signed. At this point, she’d marry a cripple if it meant escaping!

Watching her sprint away, John Stone Sr. smirked and pulled out the letter his son had left behind.

[Dad, let her go. What’s waiting for her in the city is far worse than anything here.]

The shadow of the old locust tree stretched across the letter like an unfurling net.