Whitaker Scarlett’s vivid depiction of the future was so enticing that Elizabeth couldn’t help but hope, even as part of her doubted it could be true.
Life in the countryside was tough. Even though things had improved since the collective farming days of the 1960s and ’70s, the dream of a modest middle-class life with “electric lights and telephones” still felt far away. Especially in rural areas like Greenfield County, which lagged behind coastal villages with no cash crops or thriving township enterprises to stimulate the economy. Elizabeth didn’t need to analyze regional economics—she only had to look at the lives of people in Larkspur and Wellwater Villages. Scarlett’s future in the countryside was all too clear: hard labor, little return, and endless drudgery.
Elizabeth had long given up on Scarlett finding a good match because of her tarnished reputation.
But Scarlett’s words planted a seed of hope. After all, wasn’t William thinking the same thing? Moving far away would mean no one would know about Scarlett’s past.
Elizabeth’s capable daughter, free from the chains of her reputation, could surely find a good partner.
With this realization, Elizabeth’s worries eased significantly. She even stopped fretting about what to do if Whitaker Chris showed up. She had no intention of going back to the Whitaker family. With the household still undivided, anything she earned would go straight to Rosalie’s education. She couldn’t bear to see Scarlett working herself to the bone while she handed over every penny.
In rural areas, girls typically married at eighteen or nineteen, while in the cities, women often waited until their twenties.
And if they had a proper job, even marrying in their late twenties wasn’t considered unusual.
Elizabeth was brimming with motivation. After dinner, she even went around the village to see who might have eggs to sell or who had caught any eels. She was determined to help Scarlett save enough money for a city apartment as soon as possible. She couldn’t let Scarlett’s future get delayed!
“Your mom has really come back to life,” William said with satisfaction.
He admitted he hadn’t been the best role model in his younger years and had failed to properly guide Elizabeth. Seeing her now taking the initiative to support Scarlett’s business filled him with pride.
That evening, Scarlett recounted her trip to Harborfield.
Of course, she conveniently left out the part where she went with Kay.
She simply explained how Harborfield, with its larger population and stronger economic foundation compared to Greenfield County, offered plenty of opportunities for those willing to work hard or with skills to capitalize on. Her description left William intrigued.
“After all, the Millers originally fled to Wellwater Village as refugees. This isn’t our ancestral home—living anywhere is the same. If I can turn your cousin into a city resident, it’ll all be worth it, no matter how hard it is.”
William thought for a moment before saying he’d need to go out for a while.
Scarlett suspected he was looking for money. No way would she believe her uncle was just a mason.
What exactly did William do? Scarlett’s curiosity grew.
Still, William wasn’t ready to leave just yet. He worried about Scarlett and Elizabeth being left alone and was especially concerned about the Whitaker family causing trouble.
“Then there are those three troublemakers,” William muttered. “I don’t trust them. It feels like there’s something bigger going on. I’ll wait until all three of them are sentenced before heading out.”
Scarlett herself felt like the pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, just shy of forming a clear picture.
—
The next day, Scarlett didn’t head into town. Instead, she spent the day traveling to nearby villages, collecting a sizable haul of eels and eggs.
On the third day, she arrived at her usual spot by the road and, to her surprise, ran into Kay again.
This time, Kay wasn’t alone—he and Leo were waiting with a large truck.
“Are you leaving already?” Scarlett asked, noticing the truck.
Leo seemed a bit sheepish. He had misunderstood Scarlett before, assuming she was a woman of questionable morals. His attitude toward her had swung wildly, leaving him feeling awkward around her now.
Ah, the guilt he carried over the food Scarlett had so kindly made for him!
