You Ignored My Birthday So I Erased Myself From The Family novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Penelope Chooses

Penelope's ponytail dripped on the floor.

She had run almost three miles in the rain, I learned later.

She wore her skating jacket and carried a rink bag that weighed nearly as much as she did.

"Penelope Carroway," Mom said. "You are coming with me. Car. Now."

Penelope did not move.

She looked at Mom, then at Dad, then at Chase standing by the pie case with his mouth open.

Then she walked across the diner floor, past every booth, and stood behind me.

She did not touch me.

She just stood there, shaking, with water running down her wrists.

"Penelope," Mom said, and her voice dropped into the soft tone she used when she had a plan.

"Sweetheart. You're upset. You're confused. Your sister has filled your head."

"Nobody filled my head," Penelope said. "I was there."

"Get in the car."

"No."

Mom took one step.

"Chloe," Penelope whispered, so low that only I could hear. "I don't know what to do."

I could have taken her.

I could have said, yes, stay with me, and been the big sister she had never really had.

It would have felt wonderful for about a minute.

← Chapter 17 · All chapters · Chapter 19 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend