Chapter 109: Rose Faces Darren's Cruelty

"Darren Lewis!" Rose Jackson's voice trembled as her fingers clutched the hem of her shirt. "I've lived with integrity my whole life, and Samuel is your flesh and blood! For years I've managed this household, worked the fields—haven't I given my all? How dare you say such things in front of the children? Have you no conscience?" She turned to rush out the door but was restrained by her two older sons.

Darren sneered, pointing at their unconscious youngest son on the bed. "Look at his face—pale and delicate. Nothing like me. Luke and Aaron are my true sons, dark and strong, the very image of the Jackson bloodline! The village has whispered behind my back for years. I've tolerated this disgrace long enough!"

Elena Ward stood nearby, her gaze shifting between her three nephews. The elder two bore a striking resemblance to Darren, but though Samuel favored his mother, his features still carried traces of his father's lineage.

"Your mother warned me you'd betray me!" Darren's voice rose with fury. "Luke and Aaron dropped out of school without complaint, yet you insisted on sending this bastard to study! My sons break their backs hauling stones just to feed this stray you brought home!"

"Dad!" Luke Jackson stepped forward. "How can you speak to Mom like that? Samuel is our brother! Hasn't she suffered enough? If she'd truly betrayed you, she would've left for her parents' home years ago. Why would she stay in this wretched village?"

Tears streamed down Rose's face as she pulled her sons close. Her greatest pride was raising children who understood right from wrong.

"Defying me now?" Darren roared, striking Luke across the face. "She's poisoned you all! Here's my final word—either you four leave today, or every penny you earn goes to me. And Samuel gets no treatment for his illness!"

Rose threw herself between them. "Hit me if you must! What have the children done wrong?" Her entire body shook. "Darren, is this truly your decision? To cast us out with nothing?"

Darren lit a cigarette with a cruel smirk. "What's divorce to you? Listen well—the house and land go to Aaron. You won't get a single cent! A divorced woman is worthless. Let's see who'd want you then!"

Rose Jackson, pale as death, flinched. Elena stepped forward. "Brother-in-law, don't be so certain. If this divorce happens, regret may not be on her side."

Silence fell, broken only by Rose's stifled sobs. The three boys encircled their mother, eyes burning with anger and confusion. Outside, the setting sun bathed the courtyard in blood-red light, as if foreshadowing the family's impending collapse.