Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

173 The truth will set you free

"I am being bullied. For a year now, I have been bullied. That's why Penny suddenly asks to go to school to stop the bullying."

Slater's voice echoed, caressing his own ears. His knees felt soft upon realizing his confession. His breath even hitched for a second, shocked that this day had come.

Never in his imagination had he ever imagined telling his parents about the bullying. In fact, he wanted to keep it to his grave. But for some reason, after Penny asked him such a question that didn't incite him to do the "right" thing or what he "should" do, he felt this surge of clarity.

Slater might've been rescued from that situation, but he wasn't completely saved. Unless he was honest, he would still fear that one of these days, Keith would come at him. Or one of these days, another strong person would pick on him and Penny would have to save him again.

"I'm scared that Penny would have to put herself in a difficult situation again for me," he added, this time, his voice was meek. "And I'm afraid because of me, she'd be in danger."

Little did Slater know, Penny was already concocting a plan that might put her in danger.

Silence reigned in the study room, as none of the adults in the room was quick enough to process Slater's abrupt confession. They were just discussing what happened earlier today, they were worried about Grace and her mother. But since they were strangers, the things they could do were limited.

So, they didn't expect they would hear Slater confess to being bullied.

"Slater, who?" After another moment, Charles peeled his bottom from the edge of the desk and walked up to him. "Tell me, what happened?"

Slater gazed at his father and right this second, Allison also approached him.

"Slater, what did you say? For a year, you were being... bullied?" Tears quickly coated Allison's

veins in her

eves a

"He beat me up, took my pocket money, ducked my head in the toilet, and made me do his assignments

trembled as his eyes dilated, a reaction to the turmoil in

expression also darkened as his grip

right straight in the heart. Her son was going through such horrific things for

his rising anger and forced a smile. "Tell us everything from start

before Penny's interference. Allison sat down

12:01

truth will

free

one-seater wing chair and

confessed all the details of the horrific bullying. Every detail felt like a stab in his parent's hearts, but he didn't stop. Their reaction was one of the things that scared Slater, but then again, he needed to do this for

laundry, he continued. "It's why Penny had

me. I want to stand

up, clasping Slater's hand. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that

and smiled bitterly. "It's alright, Mom. It's

mine." She shook her head. "It's my

and tried to stop her tears. Deep in her heart, she knew it was partially her fault. Slater wouldn't have to keep this to himself if he knew his mother wasn't so weak and emotional. But Allison was weak and emotional - she was in denial and often chose to

if only she was just as frank as Jessa, then Slater wouldn't have to