Amy Andrews's grip caused Penelope Bates's body to ache intensely, and tears flowed uncontrollably down her face.
What had she done wrong... Why, why would her own mother treat her this way?
But Penelope Bates's aggrieved expression only drew harsher blows from Amy Andrews. The little girl crouched down, curling into a ball, her eyes filled with despair.
Why… Why couldn't her mother be the gentle older sister from earlier?
She… she envied Wayne Don, that kind older brother, so much.
******
When Penelope Bates returned to Old Lady Bates's side, she had already concealed her pitiful expression. Earlier, Amy Andrews had warned her that if she dared to mention anything in front of Old Lady Bates, she'd tear her mouth apart.
Terrified, Penelope dared not utter a word as she tried anxiously to please Old Lady Bates. Old Lady Bates grasped her hand and said, "You are also a child of the Bates Family, and you must be better than that scoundrel. Do you understand?"