Chapter 495: Rest in peace

Silence hung in the air as neither Penny nor Hugo spoke for several minutes. Penny rewatched the footage for the umpteenth time, while Hugo observed her quietly.

’She was really different last night,’he thought. ’Although I simplified what happened, it still bothers me.’

Because at the end of the day, Penny wasn’t just drunk last night. She was conscious of her actions, and everything she did was precise. Hugo had to admit that while he might win in a brawl against her, it didn’t mean she didn’t stand a chance.

What stood out most was her rage. She had looked at him as if he were her enemy, which didn’t make sense, as they had always been partners. Just like now, Hugo was feeding her all the information she needed.

"Penny?" he called, noticing she had been quiet for longer than usual. "Are you okay?"

"Mhm." Penny snapped out of her deep thoughts and forced a smile. "I just feel bad, that’s all. I’m sorry, Second Brother. I didn’t know I hurt you."

Hugo offered her a warm, understanding smile. "It’s alright."

"It’s not... look at you."

"Well, this is nothing compared to what we go through on the battlefield." He chuckled. "To be honest, I have to admit, it was a bit thrilling. Though it’s not the kind of thrill I’d prefer, it’s been a while since I fought someone like that. It’s just a shame I could only defend myself."

Penny let out a weak laugh. "You’re still the biggest troublemaker. I only cause trouble when I’m drunk."

"So, listen to First Brother now. Don’t drink any alcohol. I learned my lesson today and will start listening to him more."

"Same." She exhaled deeply. "Second Brother, is there anything else I said last night?"

"Hmm..." Hugo tilted his head back, humming for a while before shaking his head and looking at her. "No, that’s all you said."

"I see..."

"Don’t drink anymore, okay?"

"Mhm." A look of conflict flickered across her face. "Though, Second Brother, I have another dilemma."

"What is it?"

"I think I caused trouble at Renren’s house," she admitted with difficulty. "I’m afraid he’ll see me as... you know, that he might be turned off."

Hugo tilted his head, puzzled. "How?"

"Because the way I acted in the footage isn’t something I want him to see."

"That’s it?"

"It’s not just that..." She sighed. "Never mind. You won’t understand."

"Penny, I don’t think your husband would mind."

"But I do."

"Well, if that’s the case, just erase that memory."

"How?"

"By showing him the person you want him to see."

Penny pressed her lips into a thin line. She had been trying to do that even before that night. But somehow, hearing Hugo’s advice made her wonder if she was doing it right. What would Hugo know about relationships anyway? He’d been single his whole life.

But even so...

"Fine. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing since he hasn’t divorced me," she conceded. "Thankfully."

"Penny, do you like him more than he likes you?" Hugo frowned. "It sounds like you’re the one doing all the chasing."

"I care about my image in front of him."

"But he can’t even see you properly."

"That’s exactly the point," Penny sighed again. "Since he can’t see me, he has to rely on his imagination. I want to make sure he has a good image of me in his mind."

"Ahh..." Hugo responded, his voice lacking interest as he averted his gaze. "Is that so?"

Penny opened her mouth to snap at him but decided against it. She still felt guilty about fighting him, especially since she couldn’t even remember it. If it weren’t for Hugo, she wouldn’t even know what kind of trouble she caused in her drunken state.

"Anyway, Second Brother, how are you getting to your room now?" she asked, changing the subject to ease the tension.

"I’ll figure it out."

"Just stay in my room until everyone’s asleep." She nodded toward a bean bag. "You can stay there."

"Well, thank you, little sister!" Hugo pushed himself off the chair, only to sit on the floor and then lie down. "But the floor’s fine. My body aches too much... ugh."

"You can take my bed," she offered, but Hugo just closed his eyes and sprawled out on the floor. She sighed and threw a pillow at him. "Wait here. I’ll get you an extra blanket."

"Thanks."

Penny got up to fetch a spare blanket, and when she returned, Hugo was already dozing off on the floor. Standing a few steps away, a soft smile formed on her face. She carefully covered him with the blanket.

"He’s probably used to sleeping in barracks," she muttered, sitting back on the edge of the bed, her gaze resting on her sleeping brother.

Penny watched her exhausted brother, who hadn’t fully recovered from the night before when they fought. She was sure he had worked hard to get the footage, despite everything. Glancing at the phone again, she rewatched the footage.

This time, she was focused on herself. Earlier, she had been too shocked to fully process what she was seeing. But now, as she studied her vicious actions, a sense of dread crept up her spine.

The anger, the viciousness, the aggressiveness — it all felt too familiar.

’This is how I remember myself in prison,’she thought, recalling how that place had turned her into not just a fighter but a warrior, pushing her toward madness until she was a monster. ’Considering what I said to Second Brother last night... that must have been me speaking from my first life.’

Penny blinked, refocusing on Hugo. ’What am I going to do now?’she wondered. ’Aside from not drinking, what am I going to do with myself?’

For a moment, Penny felt conflicted. If this side of her still existed, it meant she was just a thread away from becoming that person again. It scared her, but at the same time...

’I have them...’she reminded herself, shifting her gaze to Hugo. The memory of her date with Atlas, followed by Slater’s beaming face as he told her why he was coming home, flashed in her mind.

Allison, Charles, Haines, Jessa, her little children (Chunchun and Blacky), and then Zoren. Their faces filled her mind for a brief moment, and Penny smiled softly.

"I’m not alone anymore," she whispered, pausing the footage at a point where her sharp, unforgiving side profile was clearly visible. "Penny, I’m not alone now, and I’ll make sure you know that... so you can finally rest in peace."