4. I'm sorry, momy.

Bella and her mother stayed at Aunt Pim's house after being evicted from the Parthatap family home. Charita told her eldest sister why Paeng was suddenly rude and got rid of them.

Fortunately, Aunt Pim is a kind and wise woman, and she only lives with her husband, who has not been home for seven days because he has to take care of work outside the city. Aunt Pim has no children after the doctor tells her she has uterine cancer.

"What should I say to Mom? I've been afraid all my life, and I can't afford to hurt her feelings." Bella muttered as she stepped slowly onto the edge of the compound road. It had been one night she and Charita stayed at Aunt Pim's house.

Bella stopped her steps in front of the gate of Aunt Pim's house. She paused there, the lights on the terrace and courtyard were on, but Bella's fear of being honest made her not dare to go inside.

"At least that stranger made me realize that if I die a silly death by suicide, Mother's heart will be broken even more. We have to face this problem together. So, stay strong, Bella." She tried to convince herself that she needed more calm to enter Aunt Pim's house. "Be an honest girl, Bella."

She pushes open the gate herself, keeping a slow pace towards the terrace, and Bella is surprised when Charita suddenly appears behind the main door with a big smile full of motherly warmth.

"Bella, my daughter is finally home. Your mom and aunt are already cooking. Come on in. We have to have dinner together," Charita said excitedly.

Bella smiled bitterly and swallowed. Seeing her mother smile again after last night's tragedy made Bella feel relieved, but she could not get rid of her fear.

"Why are you just staying there, Bella? Hurry up, and your aunt is waiting." Charita spoke again.

Bella rushed to her mother, and they entered together.

"Charita, I heard you mention Bella's name. Has she come home?" Aunt Pim's voice came from the direction of the kitchen.

"Yes, Sis. Bella is home, and I said if we cook dinner together, so Bella should finish it, right?"

Bella could only continue smiling in response, and they entered the kitchen. Aunt Pim was seen arranging cutlery on the table's surface while some food menus were already served with a tempting aroma.

"Come on, Bella. It would be best if you were hungry, right?" asked Aunt Pim. "Sit here." She pulled out an empty chair for Bella.

"Thank you so much for Auntie and Mommy. You must be tired from doing everything." Bella sat there, even though her return was warmly welcomed, but Bella felt increasingly sad.

"Eat this, and you should eat well. You are getting older now. An adult's energy should be more. Charita said that next Sunday there will be an exam at your college?" asked Aunt Pim as she filled Bella's plate with food, Charita's task moved to Pim.

Bella nodded. "Yes, exams."

"You always get good grades, and I'm looking forward to the exam tomorrow."

Bella just smiled, not sure where to start explaining her problem.

"Bella, why is your face so pale?" Charita realized something. She touched Bella's face, taking a closer look at her. "Did you just cry too?"

"What happened?" Aunt Pim was worried too.

Bella stared at the two, she didn't speak, but tears appeared on her face again.

"What's wrong, Bella? Did someone hurt you? Tell me, who is it?" Aunt Pim pulled her chair closer to Bella.

"Tell me the truth, Bella. What happened?"

Bella's crying intensified, and the girl got off the chair, kneeling in front of Charita, who remained seated before hugging her waist and burying her face in her mother's knees.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry." Bella's voice trembled, her back trembling too.

Charita and Pim stared at each other. Charita shook her head because she didn't know what had happened.

"Mommy always forgives you, Bella. I won't be angry with you, so stop crying and tell me what happened." Charita tried to provoke Bella into telling the truth.

The girl lifted her head, and she received a gentle touch as Charita's fingers wiped away the tears on her face.

"Tell Mom, Bella. I will never be angry with you." The woman smiled, then bent down to kiss Bella's forehead.

"Today, the university suddenly expelled me. When I asked about the problem, they said they couldn't allow me to continue my education at that place. It's extraordinary, but after I thought about it, I found the answer, ma'am. Even Balila showed the same gesture."

"You were expelled from the college?" Charita took a breath and shook her head in disbelief. "How is that possible, Bella."

"Isn't Balila the daughter of your sister-in-law, Charita?" Aunt Pim asked.

Charita nodded. "Yes, but if Nabdao and Paeng are behind all this, they have gone too far. Why should Bella's education be dragged into this." She stood up, and Bella stood up too. "I have to go see Paeng." She walks past Bella.

"Mom, don't do that!" Bella ran after her, and Pim followed them to the terrace. "Mom, please don't do it because I already went there. I already met Aunt Paeng."

"Then, what did she say to you?" Charita looked serious.

Bella shook her head, her face sad when she remembered Paeng's words. "She enjoyed doing all that, and she believed that our lives would never return to normal. She wants to see us miserable, Mom."

"Oh my!" Pim was shocked, while Charita was silent, her hands clenched into fists. Indeed she was holding back her anger. "It turns out your sister-in-law is that evil, Charita. How could you two have survived living with a snake woman for so long? I can't imagine."

"The treasure, Paeng, and her husband were after my late husband's treasure, and now everything is getting clearer."

"Mom." Bella touched Charita's hand. "I feel that all this is just the beginning. Even to set foot in MP Group, I'm not allowed. Everything is planned?"

"You're coming there, Bella?" Charita pulled Bella into a hug. "Forgive your mother, child. I'm sorry, Mom. It happened so fast, but trust that we can get through it."

"You guys stay here for a while, and I'm beginning to fear that your sister-in-law is planning something more sinister out there. I can't imagine you two getting hurt any more than this." Aunt Pim pleaded. She was apprehensive about her sister and nephew.

Charita nodded slowly. "Yes, but we will still look for a new place to live later. I feel sorry for your husband."

***