A wealthy tycoon made his son tie the knot with a down-to-earth farmer as a tough lesson. But he was blown away by what his son pulled off…

Instead, he felt a small sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep him going. As they wrapped up for the day, Emma handed him a bucket of water, gesturing toward the barn.

You’re responsible for the horses now, she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Make sure they’re taken care of every morning and every night. Richard blinked, surprised.

You’re giving me responsibility? Already? Emma shrugged. You’ve proven you can handle it. If you mess it up, we’ll know soon enough.

It wasn’t exactly a glowing endorsement, but Richard couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. She was trusting him with something important, something that mattered to the farm. It wasn’t just about keeping up appearances or going through the motions anymore.

He had a real role to play. That night, as he lay in bed, Richard found himself staring at the ceiling, replaying the day’s events in his mind. It had been hard, harder than anything he’d done in New York, but it had also felt… right, in a way.

The work wasn’t glamorous or exciting, but it was real, tangible. And for the first time in a long time, Richard felt like he was actually contributing to something. He wasn’t sure when the shift had happened, but somewhere along the way, he’d stopped thinking about how to escape the farm.

Instead, he was starting to wonder if there was something more here, something worth staying for. It was a quiet thought, one he wasn’t ready to fully acknowledge yet. But as he drifted off to sleep, the idea lingered, settling in the back of his mind, like a seed waiting to grow.

The storm hit without warning. The early morning sky had been a muted gray, thick with clouds, but by midday, the wind had picked up, howling through the trees and rattling the windows of the old farmhouse. Richard had been out in the field when the first fat raindrops began to fall, and before he knew it, the sky had opened up, releasing a torrent of rain that turned the ground into a muddy quagmire.

Get the animals inside! Emma shouted over the roar of the wind as she ran past him, her hair whipped around by the storm. Richard sprinted after her, his feet sinking into the mud as the rain pelted down harder. The air was thick with the smell of wet earth and the distant rumble of thunder.

Inside the barn, the horses whinnied nervously, sensing the shift in the weather. Richard quickly set to work, helping Emma secure the doors and make sure the animals were safe. His heart raced, adrenaline pumping through his veins as the wind battered the barn walls, rattling the loose boards and making everything feel precarious.

Are they all inside? Richard asked breathlessly, wiping the rain from his face. Emma nodded, her face tense. We need to check the fences.

If the storm knocks any of them down, the animals could get out. Without hesitation, the two of them raced back out into the storm, the rain stinging their skin as they ran toward the far edge of the field where the fence line stretched. Richard could barely see a few feet in front of him through the sheets of rain, but Emma moved with purpose, leading the way.

When they reached the fence, they could see that parts of it were already leaning dangerously, the wind threatening to tear it apart at any moment. We need to reinforce it, Emma shouted, her voice barely audible over the howling wind. Richard grabbed a hammer and some nails from the nearby shed, his hands shaking as he tried to secure the fence.

The rain was relentless, soaking through his clothes and making every movement more difficult. Emma was beside him, her hands working quickly and efficiently despite the conditions. They didn’t have time to talk, just work.

Every second felt like a race against the storm. Finally, after what felt like hours, they managed to secure the last section of the fence. Both of them stood there panting, drenched to the bone and utterly exhausted.

The wind hadn’t let up, but the fence held steady. And for now, the animals were safe. Richard looked over at Emma, her face streaked with rain and mud, her hair plastered to her forehead.

There was a fire in her eyes, a resilience that he couldn’t help but admire. She caught his gaze and gave him a brief nod, just a small acknowledgement of the work they had done, but it was enough. They had survived the worst of it, together.

Let’s get back inside, Emma said, her voice hoarse from shouting over the storm. We’re no good to the farm if we’re both sick tomorrow. They made their way back to the farmhouse, the storm still raging outside…