Chapter 146

"What should we do?" Ethan White rubbed his hands anxiously.

Clara White slammed her palm on the table, rattling the teacups. Since recovering from her illness, the old woman's temper had grown worse. She was quick to throw things and curse, dragging ancestors into her tirades. Jack White and his wife had learned to avoid her, either hiding in their rooms like frightened quails or making excuses to slip away to the fields.

"What? Are my words meaningless now?"

Ethan immediately wilted. His parents had warned him—Clara had to be humored now. If they were truly kicked out, he might never get married.

Endure it!

"You're in charge, of course!" Ethan muttered, slinking out the door.

Clara glanced at the items on the table, snorted, and turned over to lie down.

The day after tomorrow was Maya's wedding. Andrew Smith had already bought Luna's train ticket—his officer status secured her a sleeper berth. The journey from the county town to the provincial capital took over twenty hours, and a hard seat would leave one's bones aching.

When Luna tried to refuse, Andrew slapped the ticket on the table and said coldly, "I'll drive you there myself." Then he walked away without giving her a chance to argue.

This man... Luna sighed. Aside from his stubbornness, Andrew was flawless. He gave her money, bought her tickets, and often came to help with chores. Her sister Maya sang his praises, practically eager to marry Luna off to him.

Luna massaged her temples. She couldn't cut ties with Andrew yet—his presence eased the side effects of her supernatural ability. In her past life, frequent healing had left her suffering unbearable backlash, driving her to desperate measures.

Sometimes, she felt despicable, as if she were using him.

Did my heart turn darker after reincarnating?

She set aside the unanswerable questions. Right now, Maya's wedding was the priority. According to village tradition, a bride's family hosted a two-day feast before the wedding. Though it was just noodles, the villagers happily came to share in the joy.

As Luna and Iris headed out to help, the courtyard gate suddenly swung open.

"Brother!" Luna exclaimed in delight, grabbing the military-green duffel bag.

"I thought you weren’t on leave until the end of the year?" Her eyes sparkled.

Iris quickly pulled their brother inside. "You’ve gotten so thin and dark! Have you eaten? Let me make you some noodles." Ethan was the family’s hope—honest and dependable.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Ethan asked, "I’m starving. Sis, why are you back?" He noticed the refurbished courtyard, even the rebuilt stove, assuming Iris had done the work.

Iris stayed silent and headed to the kitchen.

"Maya’s moved back in with her three kids," Luna said, bringing him a basin of water to wash his face.

"What? Did something happen in Clark Village?" Ethan frowned in confusion.

"She got divorced."

The towel slipped from Ethan’s hand with a splash. "Did that bastard Paul hit her?" His fists clenched with a crack. "Good riddance! If I’d been there, I’d have broken all three of his legs!"

Luna’s nose stung. Ethan was only twenty-two, yet he carried the weight of his sisters' lives. In an era where gossip could drown a person, he stood firmly by Maya without hesitation.

"Brother, it’s so good to have you back," she said softly.

Having someone to lean on—it felt solid.