Chapter 1291
Chapter 1291 A Simple Life
Though she was already six months pregnant, she looked more radiant than the women in the village. Her skin was very fair, and only her belly was prominently raised. From the back, her waist was still slender, and only when you looked at her from the front you could tell she was pregnant.
Such a woman stood out like a sore thumb in their small village in the mountains.
Mitchell Waters was thirty-eight years old, yet he was still unmarried.
His family was destitute when he was a boy, and his parents were in poor health. It was not until he bid them both farewell that he became truly alone in the world.
They lived in a village by the river, where he made a living by fishing. He was diligent; owning a small boat, he would fish from dawn till dusk, and it earned him a decent income. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
But time had slipped away. Those who should have settled down in the village already did so, and there were no more unmarried women his age.
Then, Sienna ended up in their village half a year ago. When he found out that the father of her child was no longer around, he started developing feelings for her.
Moreover, not only was Sienna beautiful, but she was also very kind.
Thus, his desire to spend more time with her grew stronger.
He often helped her by chopping firewood and delivering fish, flour, and oil.
Quite a few people by the river were watching the two of them, and it made Sienna a little uncomfortable.
She reached out to snatch the bucket from Mitchell. “You don't have to do this, Mitchell. I can manage on my own.”
“You're pregnant. How are you going to carry water? I'm heading back anyway. Let's go.”
Without another word, Mitchell picked up the bucket of water and left.
The villagers obtained their drinking water from the river, either by drawing it directly or by carrying it in buckets.
The water was crystal clear, and perfectly drinkable once boiled.
Though her living conditions were far worse than when she was in the city, Sienna felt a tranquility she had never experienced before.
Simple and honest, the village folks worked from sunrise to sunset.
Aside from the idle chatter, she found it bearable.
She seldom gossiped with the village women, often preferring to spend her time alone in her little wooden cabin busying herself with needlework.
As her child was about to be born, she bought some fabric and sewed some clothes and a thin quilt for the baby—the bloodline she shared with Dixon.
The thought of the child, born into the Haddock family, having to live a simple life in this backward little village from birth, filled her heart with waves of sadness.
However, the Haddock family members were a ruthless bunch; Hayden had taken away the sum that Dixon had willed to her.
Fortunately, she took her private stash of savings when she escaped. Dixon had never once mistreated her over her many years with the Haddock family, and she had managed to save a small sum, which was enough to allow her and her child to live worry-free in the little village.
I just couldn't flaunt my wealth, that's all.
The human heart, however, was full of surprises. After running away from the Haddock family, she wandered, determined to settle in a remote and desolate place.
Ultimately, she was so exhausted that she passed out at the entrance of the village. It was the woman next door who brought her in and offered her the vacant little wooden house in her yard to stay.
Hence, she lived frugally, maintaining a lifestyle consistent with the villagers.
She feared that if she behaved any differently, the villagers would ostracize her.
However, she was also aware that many men in the village coveted her. If it weren't for my pregnancy and my protruding belly...
She knew that Mitchell was a good man, but her heart had long since belonged to Dixon.
Whenever the night was deep and all was quiet, the thought of Dixon would cause unbearable pain in her heart.
I wonder how he's doing now, given a year's reprieve before the death sentence. The year is almost up.
Mitchell carried the water bucket for her as he walked her home. “Give me a shout if you ever need help, Sienna. Do you understand?”
“Thank you, Mitchell,” Sienna said with a smile. “I have some fruit here that I bought from the market two days ago. Please, take some.”
“You're pregnant. It would do you good to eat more fruit. None for me, thanks.” Mitchell chuckled warmly. “I went fishing this morning and saved a few large lobsters for you. I'll go get them.”
“There's no need...” Sienna did not want to owe him any favors; Mitchell had already taken care of her plenty. However, he did not pay her any mind. Instead, he simply turned and strode off.