PAMPERED

185 Admittance and acceptance

Penny panicked while looking at Nina incredulously. No one could fault her since this was the first time Nina apologized for something! And based on the look on her face, Nina did seem genuine!

What was going on?

Again, Penny couldn’t help but wonder if she was teleported to a parallel world or if was she daydreaming. This didn’t make sense to her!

Nina forced a smile despite the growing shame in her heart. “I just learned that because it’s something I’d do. So, L… I suspect others to do it as well.”

“Uh… this is bad, Penny told herself. ‘I’m starting to believe her.’

“It’s alright, Penny. Just hear her out. Who knows? She might mean this!” the angel on Penny’s shoulder encouraged kindly, but the devil on the other side whispered into Penny’s ears, “Don’t forget everything she’s done until now, Penny. This girl is manipulative. It’s probably another of her schemes!”

The imaginary devil and angel glared at each other.

Penny mildly shook her head to get rid of this imaginary angel and demon out of her head.

“I admit this is long overdue, but…” Nina trailed off and pursed her lips, holding Penny’s eyes. “I’m sorry for everything”

She didn’t know why, but her eyes stung a bit. However, Nina held her tears back and bit her inner bottom lips to stop herself. She didn’t want Lily and Ginnie to accuse her of trying to frame Penny.

“Honestly, I came here because I want to apologize in hopes that would lift off the heaviness in my heart,” she added with a tinge of shame. “But after hearing you and seeing you, I just realized how shameless I am compared to you.”

“Uh.” Penny was rendered speechless. “Okay?”

Nina’s lips parted, but she ended up pressing her lips into a thin line. “You’re not good at these things, are you?”

“Is it not obvious?”

“Haha.” Nina laughed helplessly. She still wanted to say more, but she knew it was unnecessary. “Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“I’m scared for my life,” Penny blurted out without any hesitation. “What evil plans do you have now, hmm?” (1)

Nina bit her lips, wanting to mess with her for a second because Penny looked genuinely terrified. However, she dropped the thought and sighed faintly,

“You’re kind,” she expressed with a mild nod. “And I… I really lost

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185 Admittance and acceptance

Nina chuckled, but she somehow expected that from her. All this time, Nina was stuck in this imaginary competition with Penny. It was something she created in her mind the second she heard about the baby swapping. However, with a more open mind, she understood everything was only in her mind.

Regardless of everything Nina threw in Penny’s direction, in the end, Nina was meant to lose. Because at the end of the day, Penny never tried to compete. Penny understood Nina’s fears,

who had to come

but Nina never tried to unand what it was like to be in Penny’s shoes-

home to a stranger’s home just because they claimed to be her family.

“Anyway, that’s all I want to say” Nina took a deep breath and huffed it out before she forced a smile. “Thank you for hearing me out”

“Oh…”

She offered Penny a subtle smile before she strode off.

Meanwhile, Penny kept her eyes fixated on Nina’s back.

“Is she really trying to change?” she wondered and her shoulders relaxed at the thought. “Well, she’s trying

Although it was obvious Nina was still reckless about it, but trying was already good enough. Nina never tried to change in the past. In fact, Nina never even thought she had to change anything about herself.

“I guess

everything she went through humbled her, she whispered with a subtle smile.

Bullies often pick on those weaker than them to show their dominance. However, when they get a taste of their own cruelty, they easily break. It was an irony.

“Penny!”

Just then, Lily and Ginnie rushed to Penny. Their eyes scanned Penny as if they had to make sure Nina didn’t put any hex on her.

“I’m fine,” Penny chuckled. “Nina didn’t do anything”

“Then what did she want to talk about?” Ginnie blurted out, looking at Penny with anticipation.

Slowly, the corner of Penny’s lips curled up as she gazed in the direction Nina went to. “She…

apologized.”

“Huh?”

Deep lines appeared between their brows, looking at each other before diverting their attention back to Penny. Penny just had this slight yet proud smile.

“Don’t worry,” she said as if she already guessed what they had in mind. “Like I said, I forgive, but I don’t forget.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

If Nina planned to change, Penny was genuinely and deeply rooting for her. But if not, she would always be prepared for what was to come. Even so, she wanted to give Nina the benefit of the doubt without expecting much.

185 Admittance and acceptance

Later that day, Nina came home to the Cortez Household just like how she normally would. But this time, she had this smile on her face. Upon arriving, she saw Jessa in the kitchen and the twins helping their mother out.

In the past several days, Nina was often reluctant and a little bit shy. But today, she placed her bag down on the couch and went to the kitchen.

As soon as she stepped in, Jessa and the twins turned to look at her.

“Wha what now?” Yugi panicked a little. “Nina, it’s still too early for tantrums, okay!? It’s almost the final exam, so postpone anything until then!”

“Hungry?” Ignoring her son, Jessa arched a brow.

Nina pursed her lips and held her fingertips. “Is there anything I can help here?”

Jessa’s arched brow elevated even more while Yugi furrowed his brows. Yuri, on the other hand, tilted her head and smiled.

“Nina, you can help me peel these potatoes,” Yuri urged with a smile. “Come.”

“Well, help these children and you better peel as thinly as possible, Jessa remarked, watching Nina nod amicably and go to Yuri’s side.

Yuri smiled from ear to ear while Yugi squinted.

“Oy, Nina, I’m watching you. If you think you can put poison—ack!”

“Shut up, Jessa warned after giving her son a good smack in the head. “You better peel those carrots properly, Yugi. Or your food will have peels on them.” →

“Yes, Ma’am.”

And just like that, the four of them quietly worked in the kitchen.

There weren’t any silly jokes or talks that were thrown in the process. If anything, it was almost pure silence with Yuri teaching Nina how to do things. Yugi, on the other hand, sulked throughout as he focused on doing his task.

As for Jessa, she continued what she was doing, but kept an observant eye. Glancing at Nina and how she was trying to apply Yuri’s teaching, her lips curled up in satisfaction. 2

taking a break today

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