Chapter 73: That’s final

The family gathered in the family room. Unlike the usual atmosphere in the family, one could feel the tension in the room even before everyone was seated.

Glancing at Charles in the head seat, Penny pursed her lips.

Her father’s expression was stern and unrelenting, very different from his usual happy-go-lucky nature. Allison still looked gentle, but under this circumstance, one could tell she was in a submissive mode. Atlas and Hugo also shared their father’s unyielding countenance while Slater was just frowning.

Nina, who was seated next to Allison, kept her head down. She had her hands trembling on her lap, and one could see the tears dripping on the back of her hands.

Haines was also in the room, but he stayed in the corner. He was acting more like a spectator, close enough to see and listen to everything, but far enough to be included.

"Hugo, Atlas, Slater, Penny," Charles started, his voice was commanding. "It’s true that we and Mrs. Cortez, the woman who raised Penny and Nina’s blood-related aunt came to an agreement. We’re going to send Nina back to her."

The brothers’s faces instantly turned sour while Allison’s worry leaped to another level.

"Nina has always been a part of our family. Dad, you promised she would stay with us even when you found Penny!" Slater couldn’t help but speak his mind. "How could you go back on your words?!"

Nina hiccuped upon hearing Slater’s remarks. "Third brother, it’s — it’s okay." She lifted her eyes, only to show her swollen eyes and red face from crying.

Seeing how devastated and pitiful she appeared, Slater’s heart clenched.

"How is this okay?" he muttered as a layer of tears coated his eyes. "Dad, please. Don’t send her away. Nina has been with us all these years! How can she live in that household — do they even have a hot shower?"

’Uh, duh?’

Slater glanced at Nina again and felt pressured to speak more. "Mom, please don’t do this," he shook his head, almost begging for Nina’s stead. "There must be another way."

"Why?" after Slater spoke, Atlas also spoke. "Why is it important to send her away, Dad?"

Charles didn’t back down from his eldest’s cold stare. "This is a hard decision for your mom and me."

"But it doesn’t look like you had a hard time," Hugo remarked, thinking of how their parents happily had dinner with them last night. "Mom, Dad, I’m sorry for losing it earlier and I accept any punishments that come with it. However, it is true, I am still disappointed about everything. I will understand if you can’t tell Slater, but Atlas and I are old enough to understand the situation. This is about our sister, after all."

Allison glanced at her husband, only to see Charles not react. The boys looked at their father sternly.

"Hugo..." Charles’s shoulder relaxed. "... were you also told that we only agreed Nina would stay with her aunt only on weekdays and then she can stay with us on weekends?"

This time, Hugo furrowed her brows while Nina’s shoulder stiffened.

Why did Charles word his question as if he was insinuating something?

Atlas also arched a brow while Slater frowned. Penny, on the other hand, couldn’t help but gaze at her father as she picked up the disappointment in his voice.

’That’s a weird way to ask the question,’ she thought.

"What’s the point?" Slater grumbled. "It doesn’t change the fact Nina will still have to leave!"

Nina discreetly glanced at Hugo and Charles before she forced a smile. "Third brother, even if I leave, it’s fine. If I can come here on the weekend, at least I can still spend some time with you."

Haines sighed. ’Now, she’s acting like she didn’t know about the conditions of the agreement.’

Hugo’s face darkened as he cast her a glance. Nina didn’t tell him about this. All she said was that their parents were sending her away because she wasn’t their real daughter. She didn’t say that exactly, but that was how it came across to him.

"You kids... let me clear up this misunderstanding.." Charles cleared his throat as he glossed his eyes over their faces. "I know this is a hard thing for our family. However, facts are facts. No matter how much we love and cherish Nina, she also has another family who wants to be a part of her life. We cannot take that away from them because just like how we missed the 13 years of Penny’s life, they also missed 13 years of Nina’s life."

"Even so, we’ve tried our best to meet halfway for the kids’ sake. Nina will stay with her aunt five days a week and she can come here on the weekends. Meanwhile, since the Cortez also cares for Penny, they can visit her," he continued in the same stern voice, not allowing anyone to interrupt him. "It is a complicated situation, but I want you to understand this decision is something we adults discussed thoroughly."

Silence quickly followed Charles’s remarks for the next minute.

"Hugo, I know you’re disappointed with this. However, I am also disappointed at how you reacted without clearing this up with us calmly. I do not appreciate the words you spewed recklessly to your mom. You’d be grounded until I’ve seen you reflect on your actions," Charles moved on and then cast Slater a look. "Slater, apologize to your mom. I’ll be lenient to you because you’re focusing on your studies. However, if you speak without thinking again, I wouldn’t be so lenient anymore."

Slater hung his head low while Hugo faced this punishment with a raised chin.

"Nina will go tomorrow and that’s final," Charles added. "Any objections, then feel free to talk to me in my study. However, do not expect that it would change my decision because if that is what you want, then we’ll have to send Penny back to the family who will fight tooth and nail for her. Penny doesn’t deserve such selfish brothers, after all."

Nina paled as she looked at their father blankly. When she gazed at her brothers, no one objected anymore.

Haines slightly raised his brows upon hearing Charles’s last remarks. However, he knew Charles mentioned that after a thorough and careful consideration. This might hurt Nina in a way, but it was also a way to hint their sons they had to think of their real sister. It was about time to support Penny’s standing in the family.

’I guess he’s not turning a blind eye anymore.’ Haines was pleased and nodded.

With that, the family dispersed and spent dinner in utter silence.

The next day rolled in without condition, and Nina was sent away to the Cortez Household.