Penny is leaving

That night, Charles summoned his children to the family room. Even though there was an upcoming basketball play Hugo and Atlas were participating in, he wanted to break the news to them as early as possible. He didn't want the same problems they had before to come between them again just because he held off on information the boys would most likely want to hear early on.

"Atlas, Hugo, I know you're tired, but this is important," said Charles sternly, watching his two elder sons look at him listlessly. However, Atlas almost looked like he needed emergency attention because of how tired he appeared. 

Charles took a deep breath and huffed it out. "Penny is leaving."

"What?" Atlas, despite his haggard and stressed appearance, frowned. "Dad, what is it this time?"

Hugo wasn't also pleased. "Dad, why are you sending Penny away? Whatever bad news you heard, it's not true."