The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 683

It was indeed a handsome face, one that bore a certain resemblance to Norton's. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, which also matched Norton's age.

Of course, this wasn't Norton.

Penelope knew Mrs. Stapleton had been full of hope, and seeing the man's face clearly now would be a shock she couldn't immediately accept. Penelope was about to comfort her when Mrs. Stapleton suddenly embraced the homeless man emotionally.

"Norton, Mom has finally found you!"

Penelope stood stunned for a long moment, then quickly pulled Mrs. Stapleton back, whispering, "Look carefully. This isn't Norton."

Mrs. Stapleton, who had been crying, froze at her words.

"Of course this is Norton. How could I mistake my own son?"

Penelope was speechless.

"And you. It's only been six years, and you don't even recognize him."

Mrs. Stapleton shot her a disdainful look and turned back to the homeless man. Seeing his dazed expression, his eyes fixed on the bowl of unfinished food, she completely broke down when he tried to kneel and eat again.

"Norton, what's happened to you? You don't even recognize your own mother? You…" Mrs. Stapleton reached for the man's hand but only grasped an empty sleeve. A sob escaped her.

"Mom is so sorry. If I had cared about you more, you would never have run away from home! I was wrong, please forgive me, Norton. I promise I'll make it all up to you!"

Mrs. Stapleton's grief-stricken cries drew a crowd of onlookers, many of whom were happy that the homeless man's family had finally found him.

Feeling helpless, Penelope tried to reason with Mrs. Stapleton again.

"Please, look again. He really isn't Norton!"

But Mrs. Stapleton wouldn't listen. She hugged the homeless man again, apologizing through her tears. The man, terrified, struggled to break free. When he couldn't, he began to whimper along with her.

But could she really drag Theodore back into the grief of Norton's tragic death?

She couldn't bear to do it.

In the end, Penelope didn't call Theodore. She decided it was best to try and keep Mrs. Stapleton calm for a couple of days. Perhaps, in a moment of clarity, she would realize the man in front of her wasn't Norton.

With that thought, she returned to the room, only to find Mrs. Stapleton on the phone with Theodore.

"Theo, I found Norton! I found him! I'm bringing him back to Orenth tomorrow. From now on, we have to take good care of him!"

Penelope didn't know what Theodore said on the other end, but Mrs. Stapleton became angry.

"How can you say that? He's your brother!"

"Of course he's Norton!"