Chapter 148

Ethan White led his two sisters home and, without a word, grabbed an axe and headed to the backyard to chop firewood.

Luna could tell—her eldest brother was venting his anger.

Given Ethan’s temper, the only reason he’d let Jack White’s family off so easily today was likely out of concern for their sister Iris’s reputation in the village. After all, he’d have to return to the military soon. If he wasn’t around and Jack’s shameless family came looking for trouble again, he couldn’t just keep taking leave to deal with them.

That was why he’d held back. Otherwise, with Ethan’s skills, Jack’s sons would’ve been beaten beyond recognition.

More importantly, as a soldier, assaulting Jack and his wife would have serious consequences. If they reported him to his superiors, a disciplinary action would be the least of his worries.

Luna nodded to herself. Her brother had grown wiser compared to their past life—he knew how to strategize now. The display of his skills alone was enough to intimidate anyone in the village who might think of bullying Iris.

"Still angry, big bro?" Luna crouched beside him, watching as the axe split a log clean in two. "We’re all fine now, aren’t we?"

Ethan didn’t pause his chopping, his voice low. "I’m not mad at them. I’m mad at myself. You lived with Uncle Jack for four years, and every time I came home to visit, I stayed for days—yet I never noticed what you were going through. What good are these eyes of mine?"

The axe came down hard, sending wood chips flying.

"If I weren’t wearing this uniform, I’d have broken Jack and his wife’s legs!" he growled through gritted teeth. "Four years—how could they do that to you?"

Luna grinned and sidled up to him, wrapping her arms around his and giving it a playful shake. "Big bro, I’m perfectly fine now. If you keep being angry, I’ll get angry too!" She pouted exaggeratedly.

Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle, ruffling her hair. "You little rascal, where did you learn to talk back like this? If you were this sharp before, how’d you let them push you around? Even if you couldn’t fight them, you could’ve secretly told me! I’d have given up this uniform in a heartbeat if it meant protecting you."

"Please," Luna scoffed. "You joined the military just to pay for my schooling. If you’d quit for my sake, what would we have lived on? Thin air?"

She paused, her expression turning serious. "Ethan, you need to think things through from now on. People like Uncle Jack aren’t worth risking your future over. If we’re going to deal with them, we have to be smart about it."

Ethan let out a bitter laugh. "I just wish I’d been strong enough to protect you."

"Stop that!" She tightened her grip on his arm. "Look at me now—I got into military medical school! We’ll be comrades soon. And Maya and Iris will have better lives too."

She tilted her head up, eyes shining. "You should focus on your studies in the military too. The forces are modernizing, and you can’t afford to fall behind."

Ethan pulled her into a rough hug, mussing her hair. "Listen to you, lecturing your big brother now!"

The yard filled with the siblings’ laughter.