Chapter 64: Henry Cooper Rubbed His Hands Together

Henry Cooper rubbed his hands together, his dark face etched with unease. "This isn't the same! Taking care of you was our promise to Mom and Dad—a matter of honor. But today, you saved my brother. That’s a debt we can never repay!" His eyes reddened with emotion, and he looked ready to drop to his knees again.

William Cooper hobbled over on his crutches, lips trembling as he shook his head repeatedly. "No... no..." His rough hands clenched the hem of his shirt, knuckles turning white.

Elena Ward watched the brothers with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Brother-in-law, there’s no need to buy anything. I brought formula and canned food." She pointed to the mesh bag on the table. "William may be walking now, but he’s still weak. He needs to recover slowly—no rushing."

The brothers nodded earnestly, like schoolboys listening to their teacher.

Elena glanced at the thick quilt on the bed and suddenly burst into laughter. Grace Cooper joined in, chuckling.

The Cooper brothers exchanged confused looks.

"If anyone walked in now and saw me wrapped in a winter quilt with a hot water bottle in summer, they’d think I’d lost my mind!" Elena laughed so hard she clutched her stomach.

Grace briskly folded the bedding and waved the brothers off. "Enough dawdling. Go return what you borrowed and bring the kids home." She turned to William. "You—rest. Didn’t you hear Elena say you need to take it slow?"

Once they were alone, Elena grabbed Grace’s hand.

"Sis, you knew I wasn’t their biological child, didn’t you?" Her gaze was unwavering.

Grace sighed and pulled her down to sit.

"Elena, don’t dwell on it. You’re our sister—always have been, always will be." Her voice trembled.

"I’ll always be your little sister," Elena said, squeezing her hand. "But I want the truth. Grandma and Uncle Calvin knew, but I was kept in the dark. They treated me like a servant—now I understand why."

"A servant?!" Grace shot to her feet. "What did they do to you? Every time you came home, you said you were fine, but I knew you were too thin..." Her voice cracked, and she punched her thigh in frustration.

Elena recounted everything—the years of hardship, the withheld education, the relentless labor. When she mentioned Grandma Agnes refusing to let her attend school for money, Grace shook with rage.

"I’ll make them pay!" Grace wiped her tears and stormed toward the door.

Elena quickly stopped her. "Sis, Grandma’s in the hospital now."

Grace relented but frowned. No matter how awful she was, ignoring an ailing elder wasn’t right.

"Elena, just focus on your studies," Grace said, smoothing her sister’s hair. "About your birth... all I know is your real mother was named Elaine Ford. She was an urban service volunteer from the city."

Lowering her voice, Grace recounted the past. During the mass return of urban service volunteer, no one knew Elaine Ford was pregnant. On the night she went into labor, their father was called to help...

"Your mother didn’t make it. The women’s director wanted to adopt you, but it fell through. Dad brought you home instead." Grace wiped her tears. "Not many in the village know. Don’t let it weigh on you. To us, you’re family!"

Elena could no longer hold back. She threw herself into Grace’s arms and sobbed. These siblings—who had given everything for her in her past life—loved her unconditionally.

"Sis, we’ll always be family!" She clung to Grace as if she’d found a priceless treasure.