Chapter 573

The early summer rain was cool and refreshing against their skin.
Penelope held Julian’s hand with her left and Kristin’s with her right, running through the rain toward the house. When they passed a puddle, Kristin deliberately jumped in it, sending a huge splash of water all over Julian and Penelope.
Julian, disgusted by the dirty rainwater, angrily stepped aside.
“Kristin, you did that on purpose!” Penelope said, putting her hands on her hips in
mock anger.
Kristin giggled. “I know!”
Penelope huffed, then jumped into the puddle herself, stomping her feet rapidly and sending water flying everywhere. Kristin, now soaked, immediately retaliated, jumping with all her might. Soon, both of them were drenched.
“Julian, come play with us!” Kristin called out excitedly.
Julian frowned, his refusal clear. He couldn’t understand what was so fun about jumping in a puddle and getting covered in dirty water. He could maybe understand Kristin—kids find joy in anything—but Penelope was a grown-up, and she was having just as much fun.
Another low rumble of thunder sounded, and Penelope quickly pulled Kristin out of the puddle. “The rain’s getting heavier! We need to run home!”
She took Kristin’s hand and reached for Julian’s, but he recoiled, refusing to let her touch him with her dirty hand.
“Does your dad set a lot of rules for you?” Penelope raised an eyebrow.
The boy was so disciplined that he seemed to have lost the simple, childish fun appropriate for his age.
Julian narrowed his eyes. “Everyone should be raised with rules. Don’t you set any for your son?”
“As long as he’s healthy and happy.”
“I disagree. A person’s purpose in life is to find their own value.”
“Uh, did your dad tell you that?”
“It’s a standard I set for myself.”
Kristin tilted her head, looking confused. “Penelope, why does Julian always say things I don’t understand?”
Penelope’s mouth twitched. “I can understand the words, but I can’t say I get it either.”
Julian nodded. “That’s why your life is such a mess.”
“Who says my life is a mess?”
Julian looked her up and down-soaking wet, with none of the composure or grace
of an adult-and let out a small sigh. “This isn’t a mess?”
Penelope blinked. What were they even talking about in the first place? Weren’t they just discussing jumping in puddles? How did it escalate to a debate about life philosophies?
“We can debate whether my life is a mess later. But if you don’t start running now,
the rain’s going to get heavier, and you’ll be soaked too.”
Julian sighed again and reluctantly started to run.
“Wow, I hope it rains harder! I want bigger puddles!” Kristin yelled happily as she
ran.
Penelope actually enjoyed it too. If Hubert were here, he’d be even wilder.
But despite running, by the time they reached the house, Julian was also drenched.
Seeing his Sulking face, Penelope hurried ahead to open the door and
usher him inside But Juhan just stood there frowning and staring at her.

“Don’t you want to change your clothes? Why aren’t you going in?” Penelope asked.
Julian narrowed his eyes. “How do you know the code to our door?” Penelope:
How did she know? She… A wave of panic washed over Penelope. She’d opened this door so many times out of habit that she’d completely forgotten!
And Theodore, honestly! He hadn’t changed the code in all these years!
Wasn’t he afraid of burglars? Of course, she wasn’t a burglar. She just had a good memory!
“Uh Penelope’s mind raced. “Your uncle told me!”