Chapter 164

"Who knew this would happen?"

William Stone crouched in the corner, shoulders hunched, nervously twisting the hem of his shirt. The debt from building their house still hadn't been paid off, and now with Robert's injury—how much more would they have to spend?

Daniel River shot his cousin a disdainful glance and scoffed. "Only William knows exactly how Robert got hurt. Now that his leg's broken and he needs rest, who's going to fetch water and chop firewood? His wife?"

He paused deliberately, raising his voice. "If William hadn't dragged him into the mountains, would Robert—careful as he is—have gone deep into the woods?"

The implication was clear: William was to blame.

With another truck run coming up, Daniel wasn't about to let his own wife shoulder the burden. He was determined to dump all the heavy labor onto William.

"It was me... all my fault..." William stole a glance at Michael's dark expression, cold sweat trickling down his back. He knew firsthand how hard Michael's fists could hit.

John Stone Sr. tapped his pipe against the table, scanning his sons' faces. "William, you'll take care of the heavy chores at Robert's place while he recovers."

"I'll do it, I'll do all of it!" William nodded frantically.

"Uncle," Daniel cut in, "shouldn't the medical bills be split?" He shot a meaningful look at William. "Why should Michael pay for everything?"

The house debt was their problem—nothing to do with Michael. He was here to make sure his cousin didn't get cheated.

"Daniel has a point," John exhaled a cloud of smoke. "You're fathers now—act like it. Learn your lesson."

William opened his mouth but didn't dare argue. The old man's gaze was sharp as a knife, and Michael's clenched fists looked ready to tear him apart.

"Lucky this time," Daniel grinned. "Next time you wander off recklessly... might just leave your bones in the mountains."

Robert paled on the sickbed, too afraid to speak.

"Shut up!" William lunged to cover Daniel's mouth. This brat had no filter.

"Dad," Michael finally spoke, "let William stay and help. We're heading back." He couldn't even bother looking at the two fools.

It was late—his wife would be worried. Last time he came home at midnight, she hadn't slept well.

"Fine." John stood, dusting off his clothes. "Tell Robert's wife to come to town tomorrow." After all, they were separate households now—let them handle their own problems.

Michael's decisive nature clearly came from his father.

"You're leaving already?" William gaped. They were starving and exhausted...

No one answered. The tractor rumbled into the night, soon reaching the village. Before heading home, Michael made a point to wash up at the well.

As soon as he lay down, a warm figure curled into his arms.

"You're back?" His wife's sleepy voice was soft.

"Yeah." He gently patted her back. "Sleep."

Moonlight filtered through the window, casting crisscrossed shadows on the floor. Michael gazed at her peaceful face, his expression softening. The mess could wait till morning.