Chapter 95

"Was it you?"

Ethan's sister-in-law stumbled back three steps in fear. Michael Stone was notorious in the village as someone no one dared to provoke.

"What are you cowering for?" Michael narrowed his eyes, his voice icy. "You had the nerve to strip my brother, and now you're playing the coward?"

Ethan's older brother trembled, wishing he could vanish into the ground. The entire family knew better than to cross Michael Stone.

"Nonsense," Michael drawled, leaning lazily against the doorframe. "Ethan fell into the river this morning, so I gave him a change of clothes. Everyone saw how his sister-in-law yanked at his clothes earlier."

"We saw it!" someone from the crowd called out.

Michael smirked. "What, trying to claim my clothes now?"

"It wasn't me, it wasn't..." Ethan's sister-in-law stammered, her earlier bullying bravado completely gone.

"Enough. Let's settle the division first." Michael strode over and sat beside his father, his cold gaze sweeping over Ethan's brother and his family.

With Michael present, Ethan's brother's family didn't dare make another scene. John Stone Sr. and the village elder quickly mediated the division of property.

"Ethan won't live in the house, but you'll have to buy out his share," John Stone said firmly, staring at Ethan's brother. "Your parents raised you, got you married, and this is how you treat your younger brother?"

Ethan's brother hung his head and eventually paid up. Michael, along with Charles and a few others, helped Ethan move into an abandoned old house at the edge of the village. They bought it for twenty dollars. Though the roof leaked, it was at least a chance for Ethan to start anew.

"Come, eat at my place."

"Third Brother, I’d rather not," Ethan said, his eyes red. "I can cook for myself."

Michael clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright. If your sister-in-law causes trouble, just call for me."

Ethan nodded solemnly. Without Michael's support, he’d never have gotten his freedom.

"Thank you, Third Brother."

By the time Michael and John Stone returned home, dusk had fallen. Emily and Mary quickly dropped dumplings into a pot of sour duck soup.

Under the glow of the kerosene lamp, the family gathered for a lively dinner. The tangy broth and savory dumplings warmed them from the inside out.

"It's late. We should head back," John Stone said, rising.

"Be careful on the road," Mary reminded them.

Michael escorted them back to the old house with a flashlight. David and Tommy dutifully helped clear the table while Emily busied herself in the kitchen.

"Tomorrow, we’ll air out the children’s bedding," Emily said as she washed dishes. "They can’t keep sharing one bed forever."

"Mm. I’ll fix the roof while I’m at it," Michael said, glancing up at the beams. "Judging by the sky, we’re in for a wet winter."

Emily thought back to the day’s events. "Ethan really got his own place?"

"He did," Michael replied, removing his coat. "His brother paid for his share of the house. Ethan moved into that adobe place east of the village—just a few minutes from us."

"What about food rations?"

"He got his portion."

Emily dried her hands and lowered her voice. "You think his brother’s family might steal his share?"

She wasn’t being overly suspicious—some people were capable of anything.

"Don’t worry," Michael said, a glint of steel in his eyes. "Ethan’s under my protection now. They wouldn’t dare."

Emily nearly dropped a plate. Had she heard that right?

"Let’s sleep," Michael said casually, changing the subject.

By the time they finished washing up, the room was pitch black. The two boys burrowed under the covers, clinging to Emily from either side.

"I want to sleep next to Mommy!"

"Me too!"