Chapter 28: Can’t have it both ways
Initially, the Bennet couple went to see Jessa to settle this matter like adults. However, her tactless and ruthless way of talking to a child quickly discouraged the couple.
"You should also thank me! After all, I’m also doing this for your sake since I’m giving you a valid reason to send that child away. You should think of what Penny feels for having to share with the person who shamelessly stole the life she should have without remorse!"
Allison clasped her hands on her lap as she said, "Mrs. Cortez, with all due respect, we raised Nina for thirteen years. Although she is not our biological daughter, we loved her as our own."
"Then should I take Penny back!?" Jessa fumed. "I also raised Penny for thirteen years, and even though she’s not my biological niece, I treated her as my own!"
"Treat her as your own?" Allison’s shoulders shook in anger. "How could you say you treated our daughter as your own when you’ve exploited her since she was young?!"
Charles clasped his wife’s trembling fist because Allison’s voice was also raising. "Ali, calm down."
"No." Allison was adamant, the corner of her eyes was red with suppressed anger. "Mrs. Cortez, is that how callous you talk about a child? Regardless if your relationship with Nina’s mother is not good, what’s a child had to do with it?"
Jessa crossed her arms and kept her chin high. She looked like an evil mother in Allison’s presence.
"Don’t tell me how to talk because, for one, you don’t know that wench. Second, a good tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. You don’t know this yet, but what I know you know is that you two are greedy people! How could you want your daughter back and still keep the other one that isn’t even yours?! You can’t have it both ways just because your pockets are deep!"
Jessa snorted as she added. "No wonder that fake daughter doesn’t have the decency to give way to the real one! She took after her mother, and is nurtured by the likes of you!"