Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 83

Amelia peered over her sunglasses, watching her daughter glare up at her, her tiny face scrunched up in a full-on pout.

Penny was still so little. She had absolutely no filter—every emotion, whether she was mad or happy, just showed right there on her face for the world to see.

In Penny’s eyes, Kristen was a good guy, Caroline was a good guy, and everyone in the Salmeron family was her real family. Amelia? She was the outsider, the bad guy, the one who didn’t belong.

She could be angry at anyone else, but not at Penny. Penny was only five. She’d grown up in the bubble the Salmerons had built for her. It made sense that she’d resent Amelia. How could she not?

“Penny,” Amelia bent down so she was eye level, her tone gentle. “Can Mommy ask you something?”

Penny bristled, practically vibrating with indignation. She was more than ready for Amelia to snap at her.

She’d rehearsed it all in her head: If this bad woman dared to yell or hit her, she’d call the driver, have him take her straight to Grandma and Grandpa’s, tell Daddy—and together they’d kick this woman out!

But Amelia was so calm and soft. Penny felt like she’d charged at a big, squishy marshmallow: all her anger just bounced off.

She looked away, lips jutting out, her voice stiff. “What do you want?”

Amelia just smiled, lips pressed together. Kids really were easy to distract.

“If someone at school bullied you, Penny—if they slapped you—would you fight back?” Amelia asked gently.

Penny didn’t even blink. She balled her little fist and punched the air. “Of course! I’d hit them right back—a big punch!”

Amelia nodded, pleased. That’s how it should be. If people are good to you, you’re good to them. But if they hurt you, you have to stand up for yourself. She realized she’d been too patient, too forgiving before.

“Penny, Mommy just did the same thing you would have done.” Amelia tucked her hair behind one ear and turned her head, showing Penny the side of her face—still swollen, still bruised.

Penny froze. Timmy, who’d been quietly lingering nearby, hurried over.

He put things together fast. “Aunt Caroline did that?”

So Aunt Caroline hit her, and she fought back.

“Yes,” Amelia answered. She didn’t try to hide it.

She’d wanted to keep both kids out of the Salmeron family drama. But clearly, she didn’t have that choice anymore. If she didn’t tell Timmy and Penny the truth and let the Salmerons keep twisting things, the kids would just end up hating her more. She could lose them forever—and the thought of that nearly crushed her.

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