Chapter 116: The Old Woman Reluctantly Counted Out Two Hundred Dollars

The old woman reluctantly counted out two hundred dollars, her fingers gripping the bills tightly. Elena Ward snatched the money away, her nails leaving red marks on the wrinkled wrist.

"Ow!" The old woman yelped, shaking her hand in pain.

Darren Lewis was about to lunge forward when Adrian Stone kicked over a stool, sending him scrambling back behind his mother like a frightened hen.

The divorce paperwork would have to be finalized tomorrow at the township office. Rose gathered her children’s tattered clothes while her younger sister, Elena, hauled away every last bag they had brought—better to feed the dogs than leave anything behind for the Lewises.

As they stepped through the gate, Rose’s eyes suddenly welled up. Sixteen years of her life, no matter how miserable, still carried tangled emotions she couldn’t name.

"Big sis, we’re going home," Elena said, linking arms with her.

"Home…" Rose repeated softly.

It wasn’t until they were in the jeep that Rose remembered with a jolt, her face paling. "Elena, will Grandma and Uncle even let us through the door?"

She held her feverish youngest son in her lap while her two older boys squeezed awkwardly into the backseat. A whole family suddenly returning…

"What’s there to fear?" Elena grinned, her eyes crinkling. "We’re going to our home. I moved out ages ago. Adrian helped me fix up the place—it’s been too quiet without company."

Rose gaped. "You’ve been living alone? That’s dangerous!"

"Still safer than letting Grandma kill me," Elena muttered. "She even tried to hide my university acceptance letter so I’d work and save up for Brandon’s wedding dowry."

"Those monsters!" Rose trembled with rage. "I’ll pay for your tuition!"

Adrian watched the sisters through the rearview mirror. What kind of life had this girl endured? No wonder she’d been half-dead when he first met her…

As the jeep rolled into the village, children chased after it, shouting excitedly.

Elena swiftly unlocked the gate. Adrian carried the unconscious boy inside, laying him on the heated brick bed before heading out to chop firewood and fetch water.

"I’ll get the doctor—" Elena turned to rush out.

"No need." Elena stopped her, explaining again about her healing force.

Tears spilled down Rose’s cheeks as she cupped her sister’s face. "Tell everyone you learned acupuncture from our parents! Even Luke and Aaron must believe that!"

"Got it." Elena smiled, pulling out silver needles.

The boy’s leg injury was gruesome. He whimpered faintly as the needles went in, but by the time they were removed, the festering wound had vanished, leaving only a faint scar.

Rose was about to gasp when she noticed her sister’s face had gone deathly pale, her entire body shaking violently.

Adrian burst in, wrapping Elena in a thick quilt before scooping her up like a bundled parcel.

"She—she—" Rose stammered, pointing.

"An old problem. She gets freezing after healing," Adrian said, tightening his hold. "Could you make some ginger tea, sis?"

Rose rushed out, tripping over the threshold. The clatter of pots and muffled sobs soon drifted from the kitchen.

Adrian looked down at the girl in his arms. Frost clung to Elena’s lashes, but she blinked up at him playfully.

"Foolish girl," he sighed, draping his military coat over her.