Chapter 252
Just as Emily Johnson turned to leave the marketplace, Daniel River stepped in front of them.
"Michael, Emily..."
Emily looked up and saw Samuel Bright, Charles Clark, and Daniel River had all come to town.
"Did you just arrive?"
Before she could finish speaking, a familiar female voice rang out: "Peter, I want sugar-coated haws—the extra sour kind."
"Wait here, Daisy. I'll get them for you. Don't wander off."
Charles whirled around, his pupils shrinking. It was Daisy Lee!
Daisy was watching her husband head off to buy the treat when her gaze suddenly locked with Charles'. Her smile froze.
She had known they might meet again—but not this soon.
"Charles, let's check out that stall over there." Daniel threw an arm around Charles' shoulders and forcibly steered him away.
Emily glanced at Daisy's brand-new padded coat. It seemed she was doing well for herself.
"We're heading back. You all take your time." Michael Stone took his wife's hand and quickly walked away. He'd never admit it was because too many people on the street were staring at Emily.
When they got home, David and Tommy were playing in the yard.
"Mommy!" The two boys came running.
Emily handed out the pastries she'd bought, and Mary Stone joined in to sample a few.
——
The second day of the Lunar New Year was traditionally when married women visited their parents.
At the Johnson residence...
Ever since the family discussion about dividing the household, Margaret Johnson had been plotting to bring her daughter back to the city. She couldn't bear to see Emily suffer in the countryside any longer.
The eldest Johnson sister marched straight into the kitchen the moment she arrived. "Mom, I heard Richard and Anthony have split the family assets?"
"They've both started their own families. It was bound to happen sooner or later."
The eldest sister hesitated. "Mom... are you planning to bring Emily back?"
"Country schools can't compare to city ones. Those two grandsons of mine are so bright..."
Her daughter's heart sank. Her parents really did play favorites. When she got married, they'd only given her a little over a hundred, while Emily had received eight hundred.
"Did Victoria tell you that?" Margaret suddenly scoffed. "Well, did she also mention she was the one who secretly signed Emily up for the rural assignment in the first place?"
The eldest sister's eyes widened in shock.