Her once true love defects to Dauntless, abandoning her.
Penelope finds herself lonesome two years later. She has everything she could ask for, but nothing is fulfilling. That's until she comes across Charlie again. Old feelings are lost but somethi...
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"It's Chelsea," Max called. "Your mother."
Eric's mother, the woman who had suffered so much at the hands of Eric's father. She had lost her unborn baby because of that man. I only imagined how much more she suffered, including Eric.
"What. .What do you mean my mother?" Eric asked, his voice low.
Max sighed, looking around for an answer. There was no other answer, Eric's question wasn't rocket science. But Max stayed silent, flexing his fingers as if that were any help.
"What do you mean my mother, Max?!"
Eric's voice boomed within the living room walls, echoing into our bedroom. My instinct was to flinch, holding onto the door for dear life. Unlike myself, though, Max remained unaffected. His composure was anything other than distressed.
"We chose her. Chelsea. Your mother. The people in Erudite show more trust in her than they ever did Jeanine for the past couple of years. She's done some great work, Eric, if you haven't noticed."
"Of course I've noticed, but she's supposed to be in the past. .in Erudite." Eric turned around, running a hand down his face. "I'm Dauntless now," he murmured.
Max looked troubled, how he did before breaking the news to Eric. That was when I noticed how old Max actually looked, possibly in his late thirties. The specks of grey hairs on each side of his head spoke for itself.
"Eric, she's your mother," Max pleaded.
Eric sighed angrily, turning back around and marching towards Max.
"I know she's my mother, but in leaving Erudite and my past, I left my mother as well. That's the way it works for everyone who transfers. Now, I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Eric briskly walked around Max, reaching the opened door. He stayed standing there, a solemn look on his face. But Max hadn't moved, he looked around like before. His eyes surprisingly found me hiding, silently pleading for me to do something. I simply nodded, receiving a small smile in return.
"See you in the morning," Max said, acting as though he hadn't seen me. "Tell Penelope I say hello and that her father has been meaning to speak with her."
Papa.
He finally turned as well, giving Eric a hard pat on the arm when he walked out. Eric stood there for a couple seconds, chewing the inside of his cheek before he shut the door. Then, he walked over to the couch, dropping himself on it.
"Eric," I called, softly. "Are you okay?"
When no answer came, I slowly opened the door, peeking out to where he sat. He had his feet propped up on the coffee table, both hands over his face.
"Eric?"
"What the hell do you want?!" he boomed.
I retreated back, hugging myself. My eyes instantly began stinging, the tears creeping up the corners of my eyes. All he had done was raise his voice, but I easily became hurt.
