Chapter 21

With a ding, the pork ribs were heated in the microwave oven. Alexander got them out and started eating them with his head lowered. His eyes reddened with every bite he took, and tears eventually started falling. Now, it hit him that his mother was actually back. … Penelope woke up the following morning with dark eye circles. She'd tossed and turned in bed because of what had happened during the birthday celebration. She was almost about to drift off when her phone pinged, driving the drowsiness away. Beatrice, who Penelope thought hadn't shown up, had replied to her message. "Is your mother back, Penny? When did that happen?" This message immediately pissed Penelope off. She could ignore everything else, but the words "your mother" irked her. She replied angrily, "She's not my mother! I'm going to sleep!" After that, she turned off her phone. Beatrice didn't understand. What did Penelope mean Hannah wasn't her mother? She sent another text, but Penelope didn't answer. So, she s