Chapter 166

"Mommy..."

The morning sunlight streamed through the window as David and Tommy rubbed their eyes and crawled out of bed.

"Where's Daddy?" Tommy stood on tiptoes, peering at the bed, only to find Mommy alone.

"Daddy's still sleeping." Emily tied on her apron. "Mommy will make breakfast today."

David tilted his head, his little face full of confusion. Usually, Daddy was the one who got up early to cook.

"Mommy, is Daddy sick?" David tugged at her sleeve, his voice laced with worry.

"No," Emily patted his head. "Daddy came home late last night. What would you like to eat?"

"Sweet potato cakes!" Tommy immediately raised his hand.

"Alright." Emily smiled and nodded. "David, help Mommy with the fire. Tommy, go fetch some firewood."

The kitchen soon buzzed with activity. Emily deftly peeled sweet potatoes, the knife glinting silver in the morning light. Steam rose from the steamer, filling the air with the sweet aroma of flour and sugar.

"Daddy, wake up!" Tommy bounded into the bedroom.

Michael jolted awake to see his youngest son leaning over the bed.

"Mommy made something yummy!" Tommy's eyes sparkled.

"Okay." Michael ruffled his son's hair and quickly dressed.

This habit had formed after marrying Emily—washing his face, brushing his teeth, bathing frequently, and changing clothes daily. At first, it had felt tedious, but now it was second nature.

At the breakfast table, Michael brought up yesterday's events. "Robert and William ran into a wild boar pack in the mountains. Robert broke his leg."

"Wild boars?" Emily paused mid-motion.

"Food is scarce in winter, so they travel in groups." Michael spoke calmly, as if discussing someone else's misfortune. "They ran fast, or they wouldn't have made it."

The boys' eyes widened, their sweet potato cakes forgotten in their mouths.

"Clean your room after breakfast," Michael told the children. "Daddy needs to wash the sheets."

"But we just washed them last week," David said, puzzled.

"It's time to change them." Michael didn't elaborate.

Emily understood—he was preparing for tomorrow's departure. She watched as he busied himself—tidying the house, chopping firewood, gathering kindling, even scrubbing the children's socks and shoes spotless.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth hurried to the town clinic with food supplies, driving the oxcart. Pushing open the hospital door, she found two grown men nearly faint with hunger.

"What took you so long!" William snatched the food container and wolfed it down.

Elizabeth sighed in relief at the sight of her husband's leg in a cast.

"Where's my wife?" William mumbled through a mouthful of food.

"Haven't seen her." Elizabeth rolled her eyes.