Chapter 82: Elena Ward Hurried to the Bus Station to Check the Return

Elena Ward hurried to the bus station to check the return schedule. With an hour left before departure, she wandered into the town's bustling marketplace. By 1985, economic policies had loosened, and shops lined the streets, bustling with merchants and customers. The days when "profiteering" was a dirty word were long gone.

Derek Harlan's uncle, Derek Harlan Sr., was one of those merchants. Oddly enough, despite being shrewd in business, he was completely under his nephew's thumb. Over the years, every penny he earned had been funneled into Derek Jr.'s bottomless pit—building a tiled house, arranging a marriage—whatever the younger man demanded, the elder never refused.

Derek Sr.'s shop had once thrived, and his three daughters had married well, leaving the family comfortable. But after Derek Jr. developed a gambling addiction, the household was drained dry. Eventually, they even sold their townhouse and retreated to the village in disgrace. With no money left, Derek Jr. grew worse, often beating his uncle in fits of rage.

If not for Derek Sr.'s eldest son-in-law—a man with some influence in town—who intervened and took the elderly couple away, they might not have survived. After a brutal warning from the son-in-law, Derek Jr. finally backed off. Now, the old couple had returned to town and opened a small general store.

Elena strolled toward the shop just as Aunt May was tossing a basin of water outside. Quick on her feet, Elena darted forward—only to get drenched from the knees down.

"Ah!" she yelped, staring at her soaked pants and cloth shoes in dismay.

Aunt May dropped the basin in shock and rushed out. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, girl! Didn't see you there!"

Elena squeezed the wet fabric, leaving damp footprints with each step.

"Auntie, I—" She hesitated.

Aunt May grabbed her arm. "Come inside! I'll find you a dry pair of pants." Without waiting for a reply, she pulled Elena in and called over her shoulder, "Old man, watch the shop! I'm helping this girl change!"

Derek Sr. hurried out, apologizing profusely. "Sit down, girl. I'll get you some hot water."

Elena shook her head politely. "It's fine. I wasn’t paying attention."

Aunt May rummaged through a chest and pulled out a pair of black pants. They were too loose, so Elena had to cinch them tightly with a red belt. Aunt May hung the wet pants in front of an electric fan and brought out a tin of pumpkin seeds and fruit candies.

"Visiting family?" Derek Sr. handed her a cup of hot water.

Elena sighed. "Came to see my sister."

"Too young to be sighing like that," Aunt May scolded lightly, pressing a handful of seeds into her palm. "Tell me what's wrong."

Elena lowered her eyes. "My sister had two daughters, and her in-laws treat her like dirt. I couldn’t stay there anymore..."

Aunt May’s eyes welled up. She knew the pain of not bearing sons all too well. Clapping her thigh, she exclaimed, "What a sin! Don’t you worry, child. Tell me everything."

Elena peeked up at Aunt May’s kind expression, warmth blooming in her chest. In her past life, when Derek Jr. had beaten her black and blue, Aunt May had been the only one to sneak her medicine. And when she’d escaped after being sold to a debtor, it was Aunt May who slipped her ten dollars to survive.

This lifetime, she would repay that kindness.