Chapter 119

Sunlight streamed through the window, warming Samuel Whitaker's face as he blinked awake. His stomach growled loudly.

"Mom, I'm hungry!" he called out.

Luna Whitaker nearly dropped her ladle at the sound of her son's voice. She rushed into the room, tears welling up when she saw Samuel's bright eyes gazing at her.

"You're awake! Thank goodness!" Luna wiped her cheeks before turning to serve the tomato noodle soup she'd prepared.

Luna White stood in the doorway, smiling knowingly. She'd anticipated Samuel waking today and had asked her sister to make his favorite soup.

"Slow down, don't choke," Luna chided gently as her son devoured the meal.

Samuel clutched the large bowl, slurping up the vibrant red tomatoes, green spinach, and perfectly round poached egg. Never had soup tasted so delicious.

"Mom, why are we at Aunt Luna's?" Samuel paused mid-bite, chopsticks hovering. "Won't Dad..."

The spoon clinked sharply against the bowl as Luna's hand trembled.

Luna White ruffled Samuel's hair. "You'll be living with me from now on. Happy?"

Samuel's face lit up, then clouded. "What about Mom and my brothers?" He bit his lip. "If they're not coming, I won't stay either."

Luna chuckled. "Such loyalty."

Tears threatened again as Luna remembered how this child always protected her, throwing himself between her and Darren's fists.

"We're all staying here," Luna whispered. "We're never going back."

Samuel nearly dropped his bowl. His wide eyes darted between the two women before he burst into tears.

"Really? We don't have to see Dad anymore?" Snot mixed with tears on his flushed face.

Luna quickly wiped him clean. "Really. I divorced him."

Samuel leapt up, almost putting a hole in the bedding with his excited jumping until Luna pulled him down.

"You'll break the bed!" she scolded.

Samuel sat obediently, though his grin kept creeping back. He pinched himself and yelped—definitely not dreaming!

"Mom, when I grow up, I'll give you the best life!" Samuel declared, puffing his small chest.

Luna White laughed heartily. "Ambitious! But for now, just focus on school."

At the mention of school, Luna's brow furrowed as she mentally calculated expenses.

Luna White immediately understood, pulling three hundred-dollar bills from her pocket. "Here, for starters."

"I..." Luna's hands shook—she'd never held so much money.

"Don't worry," Luna White reassured. "With the new policies, we can raise pigs and chickens for income. Look at Harold's family—they built a new house just selling goods at the market..."

Hope kindled in Luna's eyes as she realized possibilities she'd never dared imagine in Clark Village were commonplace here.

"Mom, I want to go to school," Samuel said softly, eyes shining.

Luna pulled him close. "You will. I'll make sure of it."

Sunlight stretched their three shadows across the floor. For the first time, Luna felt the warm glow of hope for their future.