Chapter 250: Elena and Daniel Barely Batted an Eye

Elena and Daniel barely batted an eye when they heard about Calvin Ward's family drama. That household could stir up whatever trouble they wanted—it had nothing to do with them. The siblings had long decided they would never acknowledge Calvin again.

Still, Daniel had to visit their grandmother that evening. She was family, after all, and neither he nor Rose Jackson could ignore that obligation. But Elena refused to go. She and the old woman had never gotten along, and showing up would only make things worse.

"I'll just check on Grandma and come right back," Daniel said, carrying two cans of luncheon meat, a box of pastries, and a roast duck out the door. These were rare treats in the village, and their grandmother had few pleasures left beyond food.

Elena sat cross-legged on the heated brick bed, sketching with a pencil on paper. Tomorrow was market day in town, and she needed to list everything they had to buy. The house was missing so much—bedding, cookware, basic groceries… She sighed as she wrote. Her eldest sister had been scraping by for too long.

Just then, Rose Jackson changed into a blue-checked blouse and hurried toward the door. "Elena, I'm going for a walk. I'll be back soon."

Elena's nose twitched at the scent of face cream. Suspicious, she looked up. "Where are you going this late? Want me to come?"

"No, no!" Rose Jackson waved her hands. "I just ate too much and need to walk it off." With that, she stepped out quickly.

Elena's eyes narrowed. She jumped off the heated brick bed, threw on her down jacket, grabbed a flashlight, and followed. Under the moonlight, her sister's bobbing flashlight beam headed toward the village outskirts.

Elena kept her own light off, trailing silently. Her heart pounded—who was her sister meeting at this hour, all dressed up?

The answer came soon enough. A tall figure stood waiting at the village dam, stepping forward the moment he spotted Rose Jackson.

"Rose!" He pulled her into an embrace. "Walking this dark path alone—what if you'd fallen?"

Hiding behind a tree, Elena nearly gasped. It was Nolan Brooks! She'd sensed something between them earlier, but this was outright scandalous!

"I was afraid Daniel or Elena might see us," Rose Jackson whispered, her voice trembling. "Maybe… we should end this."

"Nonsense!" Nolan's voice rose sharply. "I've made up my mind. Even if my father disowns me, I'm marrying you!"

"But—"

"No buts!" He gripped her hands tightly. "The way that Simon Wells looked at you today—I wanted to claw his eyes out!"

Rose Jackson giggled. "Don't be silly. If I wanted him, would I be sneaking out to see you?"

Under the moonlight, they held each other close. Hidden in the shadows, Elena felt a storm of emotions. So her sister had been hiding this to avoid village gossip…

"Nolan, I'm scared…"

"Don't be. I'm here." His voice was firm. "Worst case, we leave this place. Rose Jackson, I swear I'll marry no one but you."

Elena retreated quietly, then turned back toward home. The night wind brushed her face, and suddenly her eyes burned. In this world, even true love had to hide in the shadows.