Chapter 67: Resentment

Atlas went out to the garden to breathe in some fresh air. The problem Professor Singh gave to him was impossible to answer. He tried different methods, but it didn’t make sense to him. Hence, he thought that maybe, if he had a change of view, he would get inspiration.

’This is ruthless...’ he thought, closing his eyes and he inhaled deeply. ’But Professor Singh gave this same problem to those in the star section.’

If Atlas couldn’t find the solution for this, then it would only show his chances of getting into the star section were slimmer than he thought.

Unbeknownst to Atlas, he wasn’t the only one who was calling the problem Professor Singh gave them "ruthless." Because at this very same second, those who sent tutoring invitations from Professor Singh and received the same response were currently meditating in their own little gardens.

*hic*

A meek hiccup suddenly interrupted Atlas’s quiet surroundings. He opened his eyes and looked back, only to see Nina jolting when she saw him out in the garden.

"Nina?" deep lines resurfaced on his forehead when he noticed Nina’s swollen eyes. "Nina, have you been crying?"

Nina clasped her hand on her chest and forced a smile. "Yes, First Brother. I’m okay." she then averted her gaze to hide her swollen eyes.

"You’re not okay." Atlas approached and lowered his head. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing, brother."

"Nina."

Nina pursed her lips, and when she looked up at him, tears quickly streamed down her cheek. "First Brother, I... I will miss you."

"Huh?"

Grief shone in her eyes as if she was dying and said, "Mom and Dad said they will have to send me back to my real family. And I... I’m leaving tomorrow."

"What?" Atlas frowned because his parents didn’t tell them anything, even though they had been together last night.

"Brother, please don’t be angry at Mom and Dad." Nina quickly wiped her tears and smiled. "They told me they had no choice. I understand why they are sending me away. I am not a real member of the family, but they still took care of me. And you also treated me well."

She paused and hiccuped. "So, I’m okay. I will treasure all the memories we shared and I’m always grateful for everything. I’m just sad because I’ll miss all of you, especially you."

Nina bawled her eyes out quietly, burying her face with her palms.

Seeing her so devastated, Atlas felt sorry for her. On the other hand, he was displeased that they were being kept in the dark when this was a discussion that needed to be discussed with them as well.

Atlas didn’t say anything and just ruffled her hair. "I’ll talk to them," was all he said before he strode off. Comforting people wasn’t Atlas’s forte, as he believed solutions were much better. Moreover, Professor Singh was still in the mansion. He didn’t want to embarrass themselves in front of Professor Singh.

As he walked away, Nina continued to cry until she stopped. She wiped her eyes and slowly looked back, her eyes no longer showed the trace of sadness.

’I begged them... but they were so eager to abandon me for her.’ Bitterness reigned on her beautiful, small face. ’Brother Atlas might not change the outcome, but he’ll be very disappointed in them. Once the second brother heard this and especially the third brother, let’s see if you can still be happy.’

Going to Jessa’s house might be inevitable, but Nina still had to do something to make sure Penny wouldn’t be happy. If she told her big brothers about this, they would surely blame Penny and get upset with their parents.

’This is what you get for trying to take what’s supposed to be mine. You’re going to live in my shadow for the rest of your pathetic life!’

She resented the couple for not fighting for her, but she resented Penny the most. If not for Penny, this wouldn’t have happened. If not for Penny, Nina wouldn’t have to bear the shame of telling her friends, especially Patricia, about canceling her birthday party.

Wiping her face, Nina huffed and walked back to her room. She only came out when she saw Atlas through the window, after all.

*****

When Atlas returned to the library, he acted normally. However, if earlier he was having a hard time answering the question Professor Singh gave him, now his mind was just too distracted.

He couldn’t stop thinking about how their parents could hide this from them.

Nina had been with them since the day she was born. Atlas even helped his mother take care of her, just like how he helped take care of his other brothers.

"Atlas, is everything okay?" Professor Singh’s voice halted his train of thought. "You seemed distracted."

Atlas forced a short smile. "Yes. I’m just thinking, Professor."

"I see."

Having said that, Professor Singh continued checking Atlas’s notes from the last session. Meanwhile, Atlas couldn’t help but shift his eyes to Penny and Slater. They were doing their own thing, but he could see Slater sneaking up glances at her.

’I know it’s not Penny’s fault,’ Atlas told himself and fixed his eyes on Slater. ’But if Slater heard of this, he would be very affected.’

Among his siblings, Slater was the most sensitive. He was also the closest to Nina, since they were the closest in age. It was the reason Slater made a huge fuss when they found out Nina wasn’t their real sister. Slater made some big declarations then, and he even upheld them until not long ago.

Atlas was torn, as he didn’t want to affect Slater’s studies just when Slater was focusing on his studies for once.

While Atlas was having an internal struggle, Penny couldn’t help but notice that Atlas seemed distracted. It doesn’t seem obvious at one glance. But for many years that she looked at him from afar, she could tell something was bothering him.

’Is the question that hard for him?’ she wondered, pursing her lips.

Seeing how Atlas was a little distressed over one question, Penny couldn’t help but remember Nina’s situation. If they heard Nina was leaving, it would seriously affect their brothers.

’I should tell Aunt Jessa to postpone it until the end of the school year. I know Uncle Haines might disagree with me, but it’s not a good time,’ she told herself. ’Most of my money’s on Atlas, after all.’

Penny mentally nodded, knowing she could revert to the situation before Nina could leave. She understood her parents hadn’t told them because Hugo brought up the bet. It was a bad timing, and she agreed that it was a bad timing. Slater and Atlas were preparing to make huge waves in the academy, and news like that would do no one good.

Unfortunately, it was a little too late for Penny because Nina already sabotaged Atlas’s concentration.