Mrs. Brown sensed her bad mood and nodded, saying, “If you get hungry later, just let me know, and I’ll prepare a nice meal for you.”
“Thanks,” Penelope sighed in frustration and couldn’t fall asleep, so she grabbed her phone to pass the time.
Warren returned with Chris from outside and didn’t see Penelope downstairs. He asked Mrs. Brown what had happened.
“She’s upset and couldn’t eat,” Mrs. Brown explained.
Chris lay in his dad’s arms, his mouth-watering.
Mrs. Brown noticed and said with a smile, “Is Chris hungry? I can ask Mrs. Jones to prepare his milk formula.”
Warren glanced upstairs and replied, “No, thanks. I’ll handle it.”
Mrs. Brown fetched the milk formula and the bottle, still smiling. “I shouldn’t have said anything, sir. It’s just that Miss Seinfeld seems really upset, so I thought I’d offer some help.”
“She became a mother at such a young age and is alone here. You treat her like this… if she starts to have negative thoughts…” Mrs. Brown expressed her concern.
He assured her, “I have things under control. You don’t need to worry.”
Mrs. Brown nodded. “Alright, as long as you’re aware. I’m just worried about her.”
Warren smiled. Penelope had a strong spirit, even if she struggled for a while, she wouldn’t stay down for long.
Chris reached out to grab the bottle, waving his small hand and accidentally hitting Warren’s face.
“Are you fighting me for your mom?” He smiled, gently rubbing his head against Chris’s. Chris turned his head away, only interested in the bottle.
Penelope had been in bed for a whole day without eating, and her hunger was causing her stomach to ache. She gritted her teeth and decided she couldn’t continue like this. She pushed aside the blanket and examined her foot. Although it was still a bit swollen, it had improved since the previous night. She hopped to the bathroom and began washing her face and brushing her teeth.
Warren was watching TV in the living room downstairs, with Chris sleeping in his arms.
Penelope walked downstairs without acknowledging Warren or Chris, heading straight for the kitchen.
“Oh my God, why are you coming downstairs?” Mrs. Brown asked, surprised.
“It’s okay. I’m going to make myself some noodles,” Penelope replied.
“Let me help you. What would you like to eat?”
“You can go about your own business. I can handle it myself, and I have plenty of time,” Penelope insisted.
Mrs. Brown said, “Well, if you need any help, just let me know.”
Penelope nodded.
Balancing on one foot, Penelope was quite steady. She had studied yoga, which gave her good balance. Mrs. Brown provided instructions, and Penelope followed them. Within ten minutes, she had prepared a bowl of noodles.
“It smells delicious,” Penelope said as she leaned down to take in the aroma.
Mrs. Brown placed the noodles on the table and handed Penelope a cup of orange juice. Penelope sat down and enjoyed her meal.
After a day of rest, Penelope made a decision to live well, not for the sake of revenge or to make Warren the center of her life. She needed to live for herself and find her own value.
Though it might sound like a mere slogan, it was necessary. Sometimes, you had to shout it out to give yourself strength and convince yourself that you could do it. Independence? She had lived that way in her previous life, and the current conditions were a million times better.
Warren was engrossed in the TV, seemingly unaware of someone’s gaze.
Penelope and Warren were completely separated now. She slept in a different room, and he slept in the master bedroom.
At night, Chris slept in the master bedroom with Warren. In the morning, Penelope would take him away and be responsible for his morning routine. Warren went to work, and she took the bus to school while the driver remained temporarily idle.
He started coming home earlier and earlier, while she began arriving later and later, sometimes smelling of alcohol.
One day, Mrs. Brown quietly asked her why she always came home smelling of alcohol.
“There are so many parties at school, and I can’t afford to miss them,” she explained.
Mrs. Brown asked another question, “Are there more boys or girls at these parties?”
She paused for a moment and replied, “There are more girls.”
Mrs. Brown felt relieved, but Penelope continued, “But for some reason, boys often end up sitting next to me.”
After saying this, Penelope grabbed a small bag and left wearing the expensive skirt Warren had bought for her.
Mrs. Brown glanced up and saw Warren standing in the hallway upstairs, smiling faintly.
After a week of this situation, rumors began to circulate within the family.
“What? Is that true?” Old Mrs. Duncan asked in surprise.
Mrs. Jones nodded, “It’s been half a month. The two of them are in a cold war and don’t sleep in the same room.”
Old Mrs. Duncan clenched her teeth, “How can she be so indifferent to my son!”
“And I also heard that it seems like Miss Seinfeld did something wrong, which made Mr. Duncan angry. However, she’s always dressing up and spending time with her male classmates,” Mrs. Jones added.
“How could this happen?!” Old Mrs. Duncan was very angry.
Mrs. Jones asked, “What should we do now?”
“Arrange a meeting with Miss Bryant. Tell her it’s my invitation,” Old Mrs. Duncan ordered.
“Is that okay?” Mrs. Jones hesitated a bit.
“Go right away. I don’t believe Penelope Seinfeld can’t change her ways!” Old Mrs. Duncan insisted.
“Okay, I’ll go immediately,” Mrs. Jones agreed.
****
In the auditorium of X University, Penelope rehearsed her performance.
Abby, feeling nervous, asked, “Do you understand the sequence?”
Penelope replied, “Yes.”
Anxious, Abby said, “The spotlight will be on you, so please don’t make any mistakes.”
Penelope assured her once again, saying, “Okay.”
Meanwhile, Max sat in the audience, lost in thought. A freshman sitting next to him offered a cigarette with a smile, saying, “Hey, I need your help.”
Max declined the cigarette and responded with a smile, “Sure, what’s the matter?”
The freshman gestured toward the stage and asked, “Do you have Penelope’s phone number?”