That figure, that face—it was unmistakably Elizabeth’s older brother, William!
In Scarlett Whitaker’s memories, her uncle William had always been more caring toward her than her father, Chris. Seeing someone finally stand up for her and her mother against the Whitaker family, Scarlett, influenced by the lingering emotions of her past self, felt her eyes well up.
“Uncle, I’m here!” she called out.
William, veins bulging on his neck as he grabbed Mrs. Whitaker, was ready to storm in and destroy the Whitaker household. Hearing Scarlett’s soft and delicate voice, he turned his head to see his poor niece.
He let go of Mrs. Whitaker and quickly strode over.
“Scarlett, where have you and your mom been?” he asked.
William was a mason who helped build houses during the off-farming season. Having returned from a neighboring county just yesterday, he had only just heard about Scarlett’s ordeal. This morning, he had rushed to Larkspur Village, even stopping at the general store to buy sugar and noodles to show support for the mother and daughter. The Whitaker family accepted the gifts but only then told him that Scarlett and Elizabeth had already moved to the old house by the riverbank. William had gone there to look for them, only to find the place empty.
Suspecting foul play, William had stayed at the Whitaker house, demanding Mrs. Whitaker bring the mother and daughter back.
In the countryside, people typically eat two meals a day: one at 9 or 10 in the morning and another at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. The Whitaker family was waiting to eat their afternoon meal when Mrs. Whitaker tried to drive William away. Their argument had spilled from the house to the yard, leading to the earlier scene.
After hearing what had happened, Scarlett quickly tried to calm her uncle down.
“We’re staying at the old house by the riverbank now. When we left in a hurry, Grandma only gave us 20 pounds of sweet potatoes. Forget about pots and pans; we didn’t even get to take our clothes or blankets. We came back to get our things and ran into you.”
Seeing his niece alive and standing in front of him, William’s heart, which had been in his throat, finally eased. The bandage on Scarlett’s head had been replaced with a smaller one, covering the wound and making it less frightening. However, William’s anger flared again. “Chris, let the family bully you and your mom like this?”
Moving to the old house by the riverbank? That place was so dilapidated even dogs wouldn’t live there. It was clear Scarlett and Elizabeth had been driven out!
Mrs. Whitaker’s face was ashen.
When she saw Scarlett and Elizabeth appear, she had assumed they couldn’t bear the hardship of the old house and had come crawling back to beg for forgiveness. She had imagined that even if Elizabeth brought Scarlett to kneel and plead, she wouldn’t relent. But now Scarlett claimed she was here to retrieve their belongings? They had been driven out—what belongings could they possibly have left?
But William was here.
Unlike the timid Elizabeth, William wasn’t bluffing when he threatened to destroy the Whitaker household.
Mrs. Whitaker’s expression twisted. “William, you heard her. They had a perfectly good house but refused to live in it. Be honest, which daughter-in-law ignores her mother-in-law? I’m just a helpless old woman and can’t manage this situation. Let Chris handle it when he gets back!”
The onlookers chimed in, siding with Mrs. Whitaker.
Elizabeth looked ready to collapse, shrinking into herself completely.
William realized there was no hope in relying on his sister, so he turned to his niece. Scarlett, perhaps due to recent events, now spoke with clarity and purpose.
“You all love stirring up trouble, don’t you? This is a family matter. Please give us some space and go back to your own business.”
William drove away the nosy neighbors. Scarlett admired her uncle’s direct way of handling things. Combined with the lingering affection from her original self, she felt genuinely close to him.
“Uncle, when my dad gets back, he might beat me to death. What should I do?” Scarlett said, feigning fear.
