Chapter 126: Desperation

After dinner, Penny went straight to her room to think about her next course of action. Sitting on the bed, she kept the piece of the keychain in between her thumb and index.

"Penny?"

Her deep thoughts halted when Allison’s voice was heard outside her room. Turning her head, the door already opened slowly.

"Penny." Allison smiled. "Can I come in?"

Penny pursed her lips and nodded.

"Penny, is there something wrong?" asked Allison as soon as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "Don’t worry. I already told them not to bring up the boy pursuing you so as not to make you uncomfortable."

"Thank you." Penny smiled subtly.

Noticing Penny’s reaction, Allison felt this slight clench in her heart. "Is that not the reason you aren’t in the mood?" she asked. "Are you sad that your auntie and cousins left?"

Allison would be a hypocrite if she said she didn’t feel a bit of jealousy toward Jessa. However, she was also trying to understand that Jessa was like a mother to Penny. Even if Jessa made Penny go out in winter as Penny said before or that Jessa had a blunt way of talking, Jessa was still the person who raised Penny.

In other words, Allison had to accept that Jessa would always be a part of Penny’s life. It was why she was trying to have a better relationship with Jessa.

"Penny, if you like... we can invite them over... I mean, do you want to stay over at their place next time?" she suggested with a heavy heart. "If that will make you happy, then I’ll talk to your dad."

Penny slowly gazed up at her mother, who had always been so considerate and kind. Allison was the type who was raised to be a modest woman and a submissive wife. She was kind and understanding to the point she was easily taken advantage of.

Even in Penny’s first life, Allison was like this. And because of Allison’s personality, she always believed in Nina’s accusation and blamed herself that Penny wasn’t raised right.

’It makes me angry and disappointed,’

She bit her inner bottom lips. "Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Can I... trust you?"

Allison knitted her brows briefly before saying, "Of course. Do you want to talk about anything?"

Well, the kid she raised almost killed someone.

That sounded like something that would tear down a delicate person like Allison.

’Nevermind.’ Penny mentally shook her head. ’I’m actually older than my mother at this point. I’ll spare her the pain.’ at least, Penny didn’t want to be the person to break the news to her.

Penny smiled and shook her head. "Nothing, Mama. I’m just wondering about it."

"Penny, I know we have a long way to go, but I’ll always be by your side." Allison held her hand and squeezed it. "Mom is not perfect, but I’ll do my best."

"I know." Penny nodded. "Thank you for doing your best, Mama."

"Penny..." the delicate Allison felt emotional, unable to stop herself, and pulled her daughter into her embrace. A smile spread across her face while stroking Penny’s back.

Meanwhile, Penny pursed her lips and ended up smiling subtly. Although she felt a little guilty, she already decided.

On Monday, she would hand over the evidence and let things unfold from there. Lily was the victim. Therefore, Penny could remove herself from the situation.

’This will hurt her, but I also cannot let Nina get away from it,’ she thought, patting Allison’s back. "Mom."

"Hmm?"

"I’m sorry," her voice came out only above a whisper.

"You don’t have to say sorry to me, Penny. If anything, it should be me who should apologize for many things."

’That’s not what I am sorry for,’ was what Penny wanted to say. ’What I am sorry for is that... I cannot prioritize your feelings over my own anymore. Even if that means your warmth slowly turns cold.’

******

Meanwhile, Nina paced back and forth in her room.

"She knew it," she whispered to herself, recalling how Penny stared at her during dinner. "She knew it."

Nina clenched her teeth and bit the tip of her thumb again. She bit her thumb so much that she only realized it was bleeding when a tang of iron lingered in her mouth. Stopping, she gazed down at her thumb and pursed her lips.

"I have to fix this before she starts talking," she told herself, knowing she had to make Penny agree not to report her.

With that thought in mind, Nina walked out of her room and headed to Penny’s. However, when she arrived, she saw Allison standing by the door. Her face twisted with jealousy, but she retreated.

Nina wouldn’t be able to confront Penny if Allison was there. Hence, Nina went back to her room to think about a better plan. She spent the entire evening thinking of how to salvage herself because she knew on Monday, she would be doomed.

So when the next day rolled in, Nina waited for the perfect opportunity to solo Penny.

"Penny," Nina called as she caught Penny eating in the dining room all alone.

Penny just glanced at her, but didn’t bother. ’I didn’t want to bother with her since I’ve already used up all night thinking about this cruel girl.’

"Penny," Nina called once more as she stopped beside Penny. "Can we talk?"

"No."

"Penny."

"Nina, at this point, I understand you already know that I know what you did." Penny’s eyes sharpened when she held Nina’s gaze. "What you did is plain cruel, Nina. It’s not up to me to judge you, though. It’s up to the school and if your victim forgives you."

"Penny, I didn’t mean that, alright?" Nina squeezed out a tear, acting like a damsel in distress. "I was on the rooftop, but then I tipped over the flowerpot! I was so scared that I ran away, but I didn’t do that on purpose!"

"Nina, do you think someone would just put the flowerpot on the railing?" Penny paused and ate the rest of the cake in one go, afraid she would lose her appetite. Once she was done, she carried the plate and stood up. "Like I said, it’s not my decision to judge. If your excuse is true, then use that once the headmaster summons you. Don’t bother me."

Nina froze as her breath hitched. Now, she realized, even if she begged Penny, the latter would never listen.

SLAP!

Just as Penny walked past her, she heard this loud slap resonate. Her brows rose, but before she could turn around, Nina grabbed her arm. Subsequently, Penny’s hold on the plate loosened, and the plate slipped from her fingers.

Clang!

The sound of plate shattering on the floor assaulted their ears before Nina cried out.

"Penny, stop this! I’m sorry!" Nina kept her hold on Penny’s arm while dramatically crying. When she saw a figure appear from the corner of her eyes, she deliberately let go of Penny’s arm and fell on the floor, right next to the broken plate.

"Ah!"