Chapter 56: Elena Ward Stepped over the Threshold Holding Little Daisy's Hand

Elena Ward stepped over the threshold holding little Daisy's hand, and the pungent scent of mildew mixed with sweat immediately assaulted her nose.

So this was Grace's home.

The exterior looked decent enough, but inside, the furniture was old and peeling, clearly used for over a decade. Her brother-in-law was a carpenter, yet his own home lacked even a single decent piece of furniture.

Not to mention the stifling air—damp laundry piled on the floor, a basin of soaking clothes indicating Grace had been washing just moments before.

"Oh! You're here!" Grace hastily kicked some clutter aside and ushered Elena inside. "Come in, sit down! This is my brother-in-law, William, and my sisters, Elena and Vanessa."

In the dim inner room, a gaunt young man lay curled on the bed. His face was unnaturally pale, his fingers nervously twisting the frayed edges of the blanket. He couldn’t even muster a proper greeting.

"Hello," Elena said softly before pulling Grace further inside.

Vanessa rolled her eyes and turned on her heel, ready to leave.

The inner room was slightly brighter. A large bed sat by the window, flanked by two smaller ones. A battered wardrobe stood in the corner, its paint long chipped away. The once-white walls were now yellowed and blackened by years of cooking fumes.

"Sit, sit! I’ll make food!" Grace rubbed her hands together. "You don’t visit often—I’ll buy some meat, and we’ll make dumplings!"

Vanessa flopped onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. The place was shabby, but at least it was clean—finally, she could breathe.

"Sis, I’m starving!" Vanessa whined.

Grace dug out a small cloth bundle from the bottom of the wardrobe—a few crumpled bills and loose coins inside. Just as she was about to tuck it into her pocket, Elena stopped her.

"Don’t waste money, Sis. Whatever you have at home is fine. We’re family—no need for formalities." Elena could tell those few dollars had taken Grace ages to save.

"Silly girl, you hardly ever visit..." Grace gently pushed her hand away. "Let’s treat it like a holiday!" She untied her apron and headed out.

Daisy’s eyes lit up. She tugged Elena’s sleeve and whispered, "Auntie, can you visit more often?"

"Why’s that?" Elena stroked the girl’s dull, yellowish hair.

"Because then we get to eat meat!" The little girl grinned ear to ear.

Elena’s heart ached and warmed at the same time.

Meanwhile, Vanessa had sprawled on the bed like a corpse. Elena promptly kicked her.

"What?!" Vanessa nearly jumped up, but seeing it was Elena, she only dared to glare.

"Go fetch water."

"Why me?!"

"Either work or get out. No freeloaders here." Elena rolled up her sleeves, tied on an apron, and strode outside. Sunlight flooded in as she pushed aside the door curtain.

"I’m a guest!" Vanessa protested, refusing to move.

"Got any shame?" Elena scoffed. "Keep dawdling, and you won’t get a single bite."

"Then what are you doing?" Vanessa grumbled as she finally got up.

Elena was already scrubbing clothes in a basin. "Want to switch?"

Vanessa eyed the mountain of sheets and quilts, then sulkily picked up the bucket.

"Daisy, show our esteemed guest where to get water." Elena winked at the little girl.

"I know the way!" Daisy skipped ahead cheerfully.

Vanessa stomped her foot in frustration but had no choice but to follow.

Elena worked swiftly, finishing the laundry in no time. Vanessa glared—the water she’d just fetched was already gone.

While hanging the clothes, Grace returned with meat and leeks. The moment she saw the laundry on the line, she panicked. "You silly girl! Coming to my house just to work? Didn’t you do enough at Grandma’s?"

She grabbed Elena’s hands, distressed. "At my place, you rest!"