Chapter 245
Maya White and Clara White returned to the White family courtyard, cursing under their breath the entire way.
The moment they stepped over the threshold, they nearly collided with Ethan White, who was slouching through the gate with his head down.
The sight of Maya made Ethan's temper flare instantly. "What are you doing back here again? Running home every single day—no wonder Frank Harris can't stand you! Serves you right that he beats you!"
Maya exploded. "Ethan! Are you even my real brother? Instead of helping me after I got beaten, you're just rubbing salt in the wound!"
Clara bristled. "Ethan! How can you talk like that? Look at what your sister's been through! Tomorrow, you and Jack are going to confront Frank and make him pay!"
Ethan scoffed. "Mom, don't count on me. Look at the state of this family. I can't even afford a wife, and you want to bring Maya back? Who's going to feed her?"
He jabbed a finger at Maya. "If you hadn't stolen the family's money and squandered it, I wouldn't still be single! Lisa Wilson's family said if I don't send the betrothal gifts by spring, they'll marry her off to someone else!"
Clara snatched up a broom and swung at Ethan. "You ungrateful brat! How dare you talk back to me! If it weren't for your grandmother's meddling, would I be in this state?"
Ethan dodged, shouting, "Whose fault is that? You're the one who treated Grandma like dirt! Now she's hoarding all the money from the harvest, and I don't have a penny for my wedding!"
The thought made him seethe. He should've been married right after the autumn harvest, but now everything was ruined—all because of his mother and his troublemaker sister.
"Beat me all you want, I'm not going!" Ethan squared his shoulders. "Frank was her choice! A married daughter is like spilled water—none of my business!"
Maya trembled with rage. She'd thought Jack would stand up for her when he returned, but even her own brother was turning his back on her.
"Ethan!" She suddenly dropped to her knees. "Frank is a monster! He gambles all day and sleeps with that widow. The Harris family only survives on his uncle's charity, and now even he's cut them off!"
She rolled up her sleeves, revealing dark bruises. "I cook and clean for five people, then work the fields all day. Frank beats me for no reason—he even made me lose the baby!"
Tears streamed down her face. "If you won't help me, I'll go back and hang myself! Let the whole village see how the Whites drove their own daughter to her death!"
Ethan paled. If Maya really killed herself, his wedding would be called off for sure.
"No, no, don't!" He hurried to pull her up. "I'll go see Frank tomorrow! I'll make sure he answers for this!"
Maya wiped her tears, a glint of steel flashing in her eyes. This time, she'd make sure Frank Harris learned she wasn't someone to be trifled with.