Chapter 1252: Nina’s biological mom is… alive?
"It’s me, Penelope. It’s Mom."
For a second, Nina’s heart stopped. Before she knew it, she snatched her hand away in surprise. Holding her arm close to her chest, she took a step back. Her eyes darted to the woman’s face. The latter’s features were wrinkled, and the area under her eyes was hollowed—she looked older than most people her age.
"It’s me," said the elderly woman, her hand pressed across her chest. She took another step forward, making Nina take a step back. "My little Penelope."
Nina’s heart thudded, and her lips quivered. "No," she whispered. "I’m not—"
Before Nina could do anything, she turned around and rushed back to the back entrance of her home. But the woman quickly followed and grabbed her arm.
"My daughter, it’s me!" The woman slapped her chest as she desperately said, "I’m your mother! I—"
"No, you’re not," Nina cut her off, shaking her head. Her breathing was slow and heavy. "I already have two mothers, Allison and Jessa. I don’t need another one, and I’m not Penelope."
The woman’s eyes shone with regret as her face crumpled. "My daughter, I’m sor—" She stopped when she heard a man’s voice coming from Nina’s home.
"Nina? Hon?"
"Finn," Nina breathed out, looking back. At the same time, the other woman released her and fled in a hurry. Nina furrowed her brows, watching the old woman pull up her hood while hurrying away.
"Nina." After another minute, Finn emerged from the back gate and saw her standing there. A shallow sigh of relief escaped him the moment he laid eyes on her. "Goodness. Nina, I thought something happened—"
The rest of his words faded as he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. Deep lines appeared between his brows as he studied the horror in her eyes.