Chapter 132


    Chapter 132


    The reactions from Leo and his wife hinted to Anastasia that something was off about Pattie’s injuries


    Penny stayed silent while Leo exined with a chuckle. “She’s a clumsy one, always getting into


    scrapes with the other kids in the neighborhood. She’s always covered in injuries”


    Anastasia expressed her concern, 1 think Pattie’s a bit quiet, seems like she’s not getting enough to


    eat


    “She’s my own child, why would I neglect her Penny snapped back What business is it of yours,


    anyway?” With that, she mmed the door shut


    Anastasia stood outside, hearing Leo scolding Penny through the door Why are you so fired up? You’re


    making a spectacle of yourself


    Tm not mad. I’m the only one taking care of this house, and I’m worn out Penny retorted.


    Anastasia lingered for a bit, but ultimately it wasnt her ce to intervene As she took the elevator


    down, she noticed the mess in Leo’s apartment, with baby stuff all over the ce. But not a single pair


    of girl’s shoes in sight.


    Anastasia couldn’t help but think about Pattie’s ill fitting shoes and her multiple injuries. She could only


    imagine the harsh life Pattie was living Although she couldn’t intervene, themunity could help. So,


    Anastasia made a call to themunity center, detailing the situation and hoping that they could


    mediate


    After Anastasia left, Pattie woke up to see Penny, her eyes filled with fear Penny scolded. “Why are you


    still here, go do theundry And mop the floor, we don’t tolerate ckers here if you don’t finish your


    chores, you can forget about lunch”


    Pattie frightened headed for theundry While other kids her age were spoiled by their parents, Pattie


    didn’t have that luxury She was constantly busy with endless chores, hardly ever attended


    kindergarten, and her meals were irregr All the injuries on her body were inflicted by Penny


    Penny was always aggressive, and Leo could only stand by and say. You shouldnt be so harsh on her


    She’s just a kid.”


    Penny red at Leo “And you’re only saying this now? I told you to get rid of her, why didn’t you?


    We’re not even her real parents. Why should we be responsible for her? Every time I see her, I get


    angry”


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    “Abandoning her is too cruel.” Leo, being softer, said, Til try to earn more money. You just take care of


    the house. And don’t be so hard on her, it’s not good if the neighbors see. All those injuries break my


    heart.”


    “You’re heartbroken? You don’t even care about your own son, but you’re heartbroken for a stranger


    Penny wouldn’t let it go “Tell me the truth, is she your illegitimate daughter that you tricked me into


    adopting?”


    “What are you talking about?” Leo was flustered, pulling out some money from his pocket. “Here, buy


    Pattie some shoes and clothes. I have to go to work this afternoon Even though she’s adopted, I won’t


    treat her unfairly. We don’t have a daughter, isn’t it nice to have one now?”


    Being open-minded. Leo didn’t care whether Pattie was his biological child. He believed that feelings


    would naturally develop over time. However, with his long working hours and little time at home, he


    couldn’t always protect Pattie Bncing between his wife and son and his adopted daughter, Leo knew


    he couldnt upset his wife, so he yed the mediator


    Penny counted the money with a sudden change of mood. You go do your thing, as long as you bring


    home the bacon, I can handle the house.”


    As Les left, he peeked at Pattie in the restroom. “Pattie, listen to Mom while I’m gone, okay? Daddy has


    to go earn money”


    Partie squatting on the floor with an unwashed piece of clothing, watched Leo leave silently her eyes


    filled with reluctance. Only when Leo was around did her life seem a bit better


    Leo sighed at sight of Pattie. She used to be so lively, but ever since his wife gave birth to their son,


    they hadn’t been so close to Pattie. She had


    be quiet and reserved


    After Leo left for work, Penny with the money in hand, left Pattie with chores and went shopping with


    their son.


    Ever since Aastat


    the medution, only to lea


    Pattie, she couldn’t stop thinking about her even seeing her in her dreams. She called themunity


    center to inquire about n that Penny had driven the workers away, so she couldn’t find out about


    Pattie’s living conditions.


    Anastasia had her own problems to deal with Her downstairs neighbor had been bothering her about a


    leaking issue, so she had to contact a repairpany Just like that, her weekend was over


    Ever since theirst phone Herman had texted her, but her replies had been dismissive. She was still


    mad, going to work on time every day, without asking when Herman would be back from his trip


    One evening. Anastasiae home from work and was just about to turn on the lights when she was


    engulfed by a familiar scent and found herself cornered against the wall


    Did you miss me?” A deep, maic voice sent her heart racing “Are you still mad at me?”