Chapter 206
Ethan and Aaron Whitaker returned with bundles of firewood strapped to their backs.
The two energetic young men couldn't stay idle and often ventured into the mountains. Over the past few months, they'd kept their home in perfect order, stacking enough firewood in the yard to last the entire winter.
Luna White stepped out upon hearing the commotion and hurried to help her sons unload.
"My dear boys, must you carry so much?" Luna fretted, brushing wood chips from their clothes. "You're still growing—you shouldn't strain yourselves like this."
Ethan grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Mom, this is nothing. Your son's got plenty of strength now." He flexed his arm playfully, showing off his muscles.
Aaron chuckled. "Don't worry, Mom. Compared to hauling stones at the quarry, this feels like child's play."
Luna still frowned, ushering them inside. "Go wash up. Dinner's ready. You must be starving after leaving so early."
Just then, a shout came from the gate. "Is this Luna White's place?"
Luna turned, puzzled. Everyone in the village knew where she lived.
Five or six people barged in, carrying two others on their backs.
Luna's jaw nearly dropped—it was Darren Lewis and his mother, Margaret.
In just a few months, Darren had become completely paralyzed, only his eyes still moving. Margaret looked even worse, her face twisted, one side of her body twitching uncontrollably, drool dripping from her mouth.
They were being carried by Derek Lewis and his family.
"What are you doing here?" Luna's face darkened. She'd divorced Darren long ago—how dare they show up now?
Derek forced a smile. His wife, Chloe Dawson, rushed forward, grabbing Luna's hand. "Sister-in-law! We finally found you!"
Luna yanked her hand away. "Chloe, I divorced Darren. Don't call me that. State your business or leave. We're busy."
Chloe's expression soured. She hadn't expected Luna to be so firm. Switching tactics, she wailed, "Sister-in-law, how can you say that? Even after divorce, there's still history between you. You shared years together and have three sons. No matter how awful Darren was, you can't just abandon him now!"
Luna scoffed. "Oh, now you remember 'history'? Where was that when he was beating me? Darren means nothing to me. Get out before I grab a broom!"
She saw right through them—the Lewis family wanted to dump their burdens on her now that Darren was useless.
When soft words failed, Chloe snarled, "Luna, don't push your luck! These boys are still Darren's blood, aren't they? Sons should care for their father! And as the eldest, he's responsible for his mother—that's the rule! Ethan, Aaron, Samuel—your father and grandmother are here. If you abandon them, heaven will strike you down!"
Now Luna understood. They were trying to saddle her sons with these two burdens.
"Bullshit!" Luna trembled with rage. "Ethan, Aaron—arm yourselves! Let's see who dares leave these parasites here!"
The boys were already seething. Ethan grabbed a carrying pole, Aaron snatched a fire poker, and they stood protectively behind their mother, eyes blazing.
These past months had been the best of their lives—no fear of their father beating their mother, no backbreaking labor at the quarry. They ate well, and their mother finally smiled.
These leeches wouldn't ruin their happiness.
Ethan planted the pole on the ground, his voice deadly. "Try leaving them here, and I'll break your legs."