Chapter 510: Looking for a Child Bride-to-be
"Just be careful. I think you might as well give Ulysses to the Xavier family. There’s no way you can afford to raise him now," Linden’s mother admonished.
"No way. Verna Golding would definitely abuse Ulysses. I’m not giving him away."
Phoenix Golding resolutely refused. She would never hand her son over to Verna Golding.
"Your father has already spoken, and it’s not up to you," Linden’s mother pleaded. "It’s fine if he doesn’t go to the Xavier family. Your father said we can find another well-off family, so Ulysses can have a good life. And once you divorce that good-for-nothing Vernon Spann, Mom will find you a good man."
She, too, was in favor of sending Ulysses Spann away. That way, Phoenix Golding could remarry. Otherwise, saddled with a son, what man would dare to marry her?
As for Vernon Spann, in Linden’s mother’s eyes, he was nothing but a waste of space, someone her daughter could divorce at any time.
Phoenix Golding gave a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. "The way I am now, what man would marry me?"
A good man wouldn’t marry her, and she had no interest in marrying the indecent men who would.
"What do you mean, no one? Remember your cousin who married someone in Rhydan Province? She came back a while ago, and she’s doing very well for herself. She gave the family grain tickets worth five or six hundred pounds and a good deal of money, too. Her husband works down in the coal mines and makes over forty yuan a month. She also said there are lots of old bachelors at the mine, men in their forties who still haven’t found wives. Mom will have a word with your cousin and ask her to find you a man from the mines. You’ll live just as well."
Linden’s mother grew more excited as she spoke. Rhydan Province was a world away, and the men were old bachelors. The marriage was a sure thing. Her daughter was pretty and savvy; if she moved to a place where no one knew her, she would absolutely be able to make a good life for herself.
Phoenix Golding was tempted. Marrying someone in Rhydan Province wouldn’t be so bad. A salary of over forty yuan was a considerable sum. But she still couldn’t bear to part with her son.
"I can get married even with Ulysses. Mom, please mention it to my cousin."
"Who’s going to raise another man’s son for free? Get your head on straight! Either send Ulysses to the Xavier family or to another household. Your cousin is bringing her kid back next month, and I’ll go talk to her then. Ulysses has to be dealt with."
Linden’s mother’s face fell. She shot her daughter an exasperated glare. ’Her mind is getting more and more muddled.’
Phoenix Golding buried her face in her hands and wept. She knew her mother was right, but she truly couldn’t bear to leave her son.
Linden’s mother softened her tone. "Go there and get married first. With your skills, you’ll definitely make a better life for yourself. You can always bring Ulysses back later. Right now, you can’t even feed yourself. Do you have the heart to watch Ulysses suffer alongside you?"
Her mother’s words struck a chord with Phoenix Golding. She really did need to find a way out. ’Once I get to the mining town,’ she thought, ’I’m confident I can make it. Maybe I can even land a good job. When that time comes, I can bring my son back.’
"Then... then, Mom, you have to find a good family for Ulysses!"
Linden’s mother breathed a sigh of relief. "Don’t worry. Ulysses is my own grandson; how could I ever harm him? You get some sleep. I’ll go and ask around, see if there are any well-off families in the county town."
"Mom, while you’re at it, ask around and see if any families are looking for a child bride. As long as the price is right," Phoenix Golding added, a cold light flashing in her eyes.
Linden’s mother froze for a second, but then realization dawned. She nodded and left.
Watching her mother leave, Phoenix Golding felt her heart twist in agony. Her hatred for the Thorne family was a bone-deep, searing pain. ’Once I’ve made my fortune,’ she vowed, ’I will make that family pay.’
"Ulysses, come to Mama!"
Phoenix Golding called out. Ulysses Spann came in and sat beside his mother. They cried together for a while until Phoenix Golding drifted back into a heavy sleep. After a few more sobs, Ulysses went outside to play. However, none of the other village children would play with him. Whenever they saw him, they called him a bastard and tried to hit him. So, he went off by himself to watch the ants march under a tree.