Chapter 209

Ryan Wallace trudged behind Mayor George Clark, his feet heavy as if filled with lead. His chest felt tight, a suffocating lump stuck in his throat that he couldn't swallow or spit out.

"Ryan, do you have feelings for Luna?" George suddenly stopped walking, his words striking Ryan like a thunderbolt.

Ryan's face flushed crimson. "Mayor, what are you saying? I just think she and her kids have it rough—"

"Good. Keep it that way." George sighed. "Luna's a fine woman, but fate dealt her a bad hand with that scoundrel. She's finally found some peace—have you seen a single quiet day in her house?"

Ryan clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"If you truly care for her, I won't stop you. But your father's temper..." George shook his head. "He's made it clear he wants you to marry a maiden. If you can't protect her, don't stir up trouble."

Ryan stood rooted to the spot, watching George's retreating figure disappear down the alley.

When he pushed open the gate to his house, his parents were in the yard, animatedly discussing something.

"Ryan's back!" Walter Wallace puffed on his pipe. "How was the girl today? Good childbearing hips!"

"Not interested," Ryan muttered.

"What?" Walter nearly dropped his pipe. "You're turning down a catch like that?"

"Am I marrying her, or are you?" Ryan raised his voice abruptly.

Thwack! The pipe struck his back hard. "You insolent brat! Forty years old and still unmarried—do you want our line to end with you?"

Ryan stiffened, refusing to speak.

His mother Eleanor stamped her foot in frustration. "Child, our family's well-off enough to be picky! Wait much longer, and you'll only find widows!"

"What's wrong with widows?" The words burst from Ryan's lips before he could stop them.

"Over my dead body!" Walter roared. "Unless I'm in my grave, you'll get out and make your own way!"

"Fine by me!" Ryan's eyes lit up.

"Go on, then! But don't you dare use the Wallace butchering trade!" Walter's beard quivered with rage.

As the argument teetered on the brink of irreparable damage, Eleanor slapped Ryan's back. "You fool! Why provoke your father?"

Ryan gritted his teeth and fell silent. He knew leaving the family wouldn't be so simple.

"Mark my words," Walter narrowed his eyes. "Not one Wallace in generations has married a divorced woman. Break that tradition, and you're no son of mine!"

Eleanor wiped her tears. "Hush, old man! The boy said there's nothing to it!"

Walter snorted. "He's my son—I know him better than anyone. Stubborn as a mule!" He glared at Ryan. "Without butchering, how will you put food on your table?"

Ryan's clenched fists trembled slightly. His father was right—in this backwater, he had no other skills to speak of.