Chapter 12
Nelson got out of the car, opened the door for Patricia, and said softly, “If something like this happens again, don’t call me. No need to tough it out alone.”
She sniffed. “Alright… I just don’t wanna trouble you.”
“Stop it. I’m your boyfriend, OK?”
Paulette remained still in the back seat.
She averted her gaze, not wanting to watch the lovebirds.
Nelson went back into the car after a few minutes. He glanced at Paulette deeply, seeming he’d deal with her after they went back home.
The car sped all the way home, and Paulette calmly got out.
Sure enough, Nelson scolded her right after entering the door, looking displeased, “Paulette, I’ve told you already. If you’re upset, come to me. What was that about?”
“What was what about?”
Paulette looked up at him. “I wasn’t laughing at her.”
“Then what were you laughing at?”
“I…” Paulette stuttered.
She couldn’t tell him the real reason.
Or he would have lectured her for three days straight.
12
Seeing her in silence, Nelson frowned even more. “I’ll make this clear to you one more time in case there’s any confusion. I’m your stepfather and will always be. I’ll only ever care for you as family.”
It wasn’t exactly news to Paulette, but his harsh tone still brought a dull
ache to her heart.
Though it didn’t hurt much, it was undoubtedly upsetting.
She looked him in the eye and said indifferently, “Rest assured, Dad. I’ll know my place. There won’t be any improper thoughts.”
It was the answer Nelson wanted to hear.
Yet, for some reason, as he looked into Paulette’s indifferent eyes, he suddenly felt something heavy and almost suffocating.
He looked away and pursed his lips. “Go get some rest. I don’t want to scold you all the time, so just learn to behave.”
Looking at his retreating figure, Paulette pulled a wry smile.
What did she do? She didn’t tell him she’d attend Margie’s party and happened to giggle when Patricia was complaining.
Then he scolded her for misbehaving.
That made sense.
After all, she used to be a hundred percent well–behaved.
No matter how unruly she had been when around others, she had always been the sweet, obedient girl in front of him.
She had never disobeyed him, doing whatever he asked her to do and distancing herself from those he frowned at.
Chapter 12
But not anymore.
From now on, she’d be true to herself.
After the unpleasant conversation, Nelson hadn’t shown up for days. And Paulette hadn’t just been sitting around, either. Her classmates were getting ready for their jobs, and she had meals with them before leaving.
Then she started to pack up.
After all, she had been living in Fromond for years. She had quite a bunch of stuff, and it’d be unrealistic to take it all away.
She decided to sort out those important things and donate the rest.
Maybe Patricia would soon move in with Nelson.
Presumably, neither of them wanted her traces in the villa.
She pulled out her suitcase, put all the clothes she wanted to take away on the bed, folded them one by one, and then packed them away.
With the music playing, she was actually in a good mood.
As she was almost done, Nelson’s cold voice rang out at the door.
“Why are you packing up?”
Slightly surprised, she paused for a bit. Then she said, “My internship will begin shortly. I’ve got some time, so I wanna pay a visit to Monty, Maxine, and Elnora.”
Though Nelson had raised her, his brother Monty Chapman, sister–in–law Maxine Lynch, and grandmother Elnora Chapman felt more like family to Paulette. They had always been nice to her.
She didn’t know whether she’d ever be back after leaving this time.
Chapter 12
So, she was supposed to say goodbye to them.
