Chapter 173: The truth will set you free

"I am being bullied. For a year now, I have been bullied. That’s why Penny suddenly asks to go to school to stop the bullying."

Slater’s voice echoed, caressing his own ears. His knees felt soft upon realizing his confession. His breath even hitched for a second, shocked that this day had come.

Never in his imagination had he ever imagined telling his parents about the bullying. In fact, he wanted to keep it to his grave. But for some reason, after Penny asked him such a question that didn’t incite him to do the "right" thing or what he "should" do, he felt this surge of clarity.

Slater might’ve been rescued from that situation, but he wasn’t completely saved. Unless he was honest, he would still fear that one of these days, Keith would come at him. Or one of these days, another strong person would pick on him and Penny would have to save him again.

"I’m scared that Penny would have to put herself in a difficult situation again for me," he added, this time, his voice was meek. "And I’m afraid because of me, she’d be in danger."

Little did Slater know, Penny was already concocting a plan that might put her in danger.

Silence reigned in the study room, as none of the adults in the room was quick enough to process Slater’s abrupt confession. They were just discussing what happened earlier today; they were worried about Grace and her mother. But since they were strangers, the things they could do were limited.

So, they didn’t expect they would hear Slater confess to being bullied.

"Slater, who?" After another moment, Charles peeled his bottom from the edge of the desk and walked up to him. "Tell me, what happened?"

Slater gazed at his father and right this second, Allison also approached him.

"Slater, what did you say? For a year, you were being... bullied?" Tears quickly coated Allison’s eyes as the veins in her sclera turned red.

Slater nodded. "Keith Miller," he said, looking at his father. "He beat me up, took my pocket money, ducked my head in the toilet, and made me do his assignments and projects. It’s also the reason my grades continued to take a nosedive because I had to do his projects first before mine."

"Miller?" Charles’s shoulders trembled as his eyes dilated, a reaction to the turmoil in his heart.

Haines’s expression also darkened as his grip on his arm tightened.

As for Allison, she gasped as if Slater’s confession stabbed her right straight in the heart. Her son was going through such horrific things for a year and they had no idea!

"Slater, let’s take a seat first, okay?" Charles contained his rising anger and forced a smile. "Tell us everything from start to finish, hmm?"

Slater smiled, regaining a little bit of confidence to detail his situation before Penny’s interference. Allison sat down beside Slater while Charles sat across from them. Haines filled the one-seater wing chair and listened.

Slater bravely confessed all the details of the horrific bullying. Every detail felt like a stab in his parent’s hearts, but he didn’t stop. Their reaction was one of the things that scared Slater, but then again, he needed to do this for his little sister’s peace of mind. Also, for his peace of mind.

"Penny found out about it while I was doing the laundry," he continued. "It’s why Penny had decided to enter school because I begged her not to tell you."

He cast his eyes down. "She listened to me, but at the same time, she had to stand up for me. I want to stand up for her as well, but how can I do that when I can’t even stand up for myself?"

"Slater." Allison teared up, clasping Slater’s hand. "I’m sorry. I’m sorry that Mom didn’t know."

Slater glanced up at her and smiled bitterly. "It’s alright, Mom. It’s not your fault."

"It’s mine." She shook her head. "It’s my fault."

Allison sniffed hard and tried to stop her tears. Deep in her heart, she knew it was partially her fault. Slater wouldn’t have to keep this to himself if he knew his mother wasn’t so weak and emotional. But Allison was weak and emotional — she was in denial and often chose to turn a blind eye.

If only she weren’t so weak — if only she was just as frank as Jessa, then Slater wouldn’t have to suffer for so long. Slater wouldn’t feel the need to protect his parents.

"Dad." Slater looked up at his father bravely. "I told you this not because I want you to go to school and complain to the headmaster."

"Slater, that’s not how it works." Charles tried to smile, but he couldn’t hide the anger in his heart. All the veins on his face were already protruding, indicating how he was trying to control himself right now.

"Please." Slater pursed his lips, but the courage in his eyes remained. "I’m asking you, please, don’t cause me more problems. My bullies already learned their lessons — thanks to Penny. They hadn’t touched me since she stood up for me. Some of Keith’s lackeys were already on my side and protected me from it. They’re already reflecting."

"Then why did you tell us?" Haines couldn’t help but ask. Just like Charles, all his energy was focused on self-control.

"Because I want to face my fears. If I can do that, I can stand up for Penny," Slater expressed, this time with a slight smile on his face. "I don’t want to hide this from my family anymore. At least, I want my parents to know what I went through."

The adults stared at him, rendered speechless. Despite everything he had confessed, there was this sense of peace in his eyes, as if the burden on his shoulder was lifted off his shoulders. It was as if Slater was set free.

And with his insistence, the adults could only listen to his request to not make a ruckus in the school.

However, Charles and Haines looked at each other meaningfully.

The Miller Family had done it this time. They crossed the line. Therefore, they shouldn’t blame Haines, especially Charles, for being ruthless.