Of course it wasn't a coincidence.
Clara had gone to Goldstone Town to help Manager Wu install a new water mill.
With the final major order now completed and only scattered small orders left, the machinery factory was entering its slow season. It happened to be the end of the year, so they decided to give the workers their New Year holiday early.
Whether there would still be work after the New Year would depend on how many new orders came in. If there weren't many, they'd only keep a few skilled hands on.
The workers didn't seem to mind. After all, spring planting was just around the corner. As long as the factory remembered them when work picked up again, they were satisfied.
Besides, being able to earn five months' wages right at their doorstep this year—everyone was genuinely pleased.
And so, both Clara and Carpenter Liew now had free time on their hands.
Once the workers delivered Manager Wu's order, they were dismissed for the holidays. Clara went personally to complete the final installations.
There were only two units left to set up today—she'd be done in half a morning. The rest of the day, she used to stake out Lester.
When he passed through Goldstone Town, Clara had just stepped into the market to buy pork, which was why she hadn't crossed paths with him then.
After that, she had trailed him all the way back, not too far behind, silently observing—where to kill him, how to kill him, and how to dispose of the body afterward.
Listening to Clara describe it now, Lester felt an icy chill crawl up his spine.
No wonder he'd had the creeping feeling that someone was watching him the whole way. He'd assumed he was just being paranoid—but no, there really had been a pair of eyes shadowing his every step.
Terrifying.
Lester gave his head a shake, trying to stop his thoughts from spiraling. He followed Clara through the gates of the old Liew estate.
Having been away so long, he was feeling just a little excited. He wondered if anyone had missed him.
But as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he realized something was off.
From the side room came the sharp wails of a crying baby. Old Walter Liew was sitting in the main hall with Brandon, discussing what to name the child.
Caleb Liew walked out of the side room carrying a steaming basin of reeking, soiled diapers.
In the kitchen, Martha was boiling water and calling for Caleb to bring the basin over so it could be properly cleaned.
From the side room came Doreen's impatient voice, complaining, "Good heavens, what kind of baby cries this much? If he keeps this up, his mother won't get a moment's peace in her confinement."
Ryder and Rosie's voices chimed in too.
"Ma, let me hold him—just for a bit. I'll be gentle."
"Little brother, don't cry anymore! If you keep crying, we won't play with you again!"
The people in the courtyard glanced up as Clara and Lester entered together, showing only mild surprise before going back to their own tasks. No one had time to care about him.
After all, they'd known he was alive and back for nearly half a month already.
Summoning his courage, Lester tugged lightly at Clara's sleeve. "Sister-in-law had the baby?"
Clara gave him a sidelong glance, and he quickly retracted his hand.
"She gave birth on the eighth of the twelfth month. A boy." With that, Clara carried the pork into the kitchen.
Martha looked up in surprise. "Why are you bringing more meat over again? We still have plenty left. Just a few days ago, the whole family chipped in to buy and butcher a pig. There's still some here."
Clara set the meat down. "This is different—it's fresh. It'll make better porridge or soup, richer and more nutritious. It'll be easier for Second Sister-in-law to absorb."
Even though Clara always spoke using odd phrases, the general meaning was clear enough to everyone.
Caleb, who was busy washing diapers, turned to thank her sincerely. "Thanks, Clara, for thinking of Kate."
The baby's wailing finally subsided. Doreen returned the child to his mother and came out, dragging a reluctant Ryder along.
Mother and son both froze when they saw Lester standing in the courtyard. For a moment, they couldn't place who this scruffy man was.
Then Ryder's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Ma! It's Uncle Lester—he's back!"
Doreen let out a surprised "Oh!" and politely invited him to sit inside, then grabbed her vegetable basket and headed for the garden.
She had a hunch they'd be eating dinner here at the old house tonight.
Sure enough, Old Walter and Martha told Clara to stay and instructed Lester to go fetch the four children so they could have a proper family meal together. On New Year's Eve, everyone would dine separately in their own homes.
Finally feeling a bit of presence, Lester asked Clara if there was anything she needed brought back to the house—he could take it first.
Clara pointed toward the gate. "Take Old Yeller home. I'm going to check on the baby."
Newborns were adorable—soft, warm little bundles you just couldn't get enough of.
Except when they cried, of course.
But since it wasn't her job to soothe them, what did she care?
After washing her hands, Clara stepped into Kate's room, eager to meet the newest member of the family.
Lester, carrying his luggage and leading Old Yeller, walked back home alone.
Adam and his siblings had heard the commotion already. As soon as Lester reached the water mill, the four children rushed over excitedly.
"Dad, did Aunt Clara let you come home?" Adam asked.
"Where's my copper coin?" Ben demanded.
Chad and Deb clung to his arms expectantly. "Dad, did you bring us candied hawthorn sticks?"
Lester felt his heart freeze.
Not a single one of them cared whether he'd suffered, whether he'd been sick or near death.
He shook off the twins' hands and snapped, "Candied hawthorn? I nearly didn't make it back alive!"
But facing Ben's debt-collector face, he faltered a little. He held out both hands.
"Not a single coin left."
Fearing Ben might blow up, he quickly added, "But I'm a man of my word. I said I'd pay you back, and I will—once I make it big. A real man shouldn't be stingy over a few coppers."
He'd said everything he could, from sweet to sour, and Ben could only glare at him, cheeks puffed in indignation.
Then Lester turned to Adam, whose gaze held a trace of concern, and let out a tragic sigh.
"Your stepmother just couldn't let go of someone as dashing and charming as me. Rest assured—your old man's still kicking!"
The children eyed him from head to toe. His face was scruffy, clothes worn thin, and shoes split open to reveal his toes. Only his face remained relatively clean.
So this was what he meant by "dashing and charming"?
Still, they were genuinely happy he'd made it home.
Even more so when they heard they'd be eating at the old house tonight.
Clara's cooking was edible—but it wasn't exactly delicious. Adam and Ben's skills were actually better than hers.
But the boys were still young. When it came to wielding a proper ladle, Doreen was far superior.
Which meant that any meal at the old house felt like a feast.
Not just for the kids—even Clara secretly hoped the family would invite her over more often so she could eat better too.
With that in mind, she suddenly felt like Lester's return might not be such a bad thing after all.
At the very least, she wouldn't have to scheme her way into free meals at the old house anymore.
After freshening up and feeding the horse that had nearly trampled him earlier, Lester walked into the old house, energetic and proud, with four children in tow.
The entire clan gathered in the main hall—old and young alike—making it feel like an early New Year celebration. The place was bustling with laughter and chatter.
Lester, though speaking less than usual, still had that same sly tongue. If he wasn't teasing someone, he was sowing discord between husband and wife.
When he noticed Logan Liew checking out girls already, he immediately locked on and began poking fun, pushing Logan to the point where he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.
(End of Chapter)
Enjoying the story? Get early access to new chapters on my Patreon: patreon.com/c/TinaWriterXD
Thank you for your support! 💛