Chapter 115

Penelope took a moment for self-reflection. The problem was, she had been too kind.
She had been planning to expose them, walk away, and just swallow the humiliation and resentment on her own. She had been ready to let them off the hook, but they refused to let her go.
Fine. If they wanted to play, she would play.
“Alright,” Penelope said, a slow, deep smile spreading across her face.
Hearing her agree, Mrs. Sullivan couldn’t help but sneer. “So that’s what this was all about. All this drama just to get a wedding.”
Penelope raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to back out already, are you?”
“Penelope, I will give you the most magnificent wedding imaginable!” Zebulon exclaimed, rushing down the stairs. He ran to her, dropped to one knee, and took her hand, his body trembling with excitement. “I promise—no, I, Zebulon Sullivan, swear that I will love you for a lifetime, be eternally faithful, and grow old with you!”
Eternally faithful? Grow old together? Coming from his lips, the words were the cruelest of jokes.
Just then, Rebecca walked in, happening upon the scene just in time to hear Zebulon’s vow. She froze, and the bag of groceries in her hand dropped to the floor with a thud.
“I believe you,” Penelope said, her face a mask of heartfelt emotion.
“Penelope!” Zebulon jumped up and pulled her into a tight embrace. “You have no idea how much I’ve suffered these past few days. I can’t lose you. My life would have no meaning without you!” He was practically sobbing by the end.
Penelope patted his back, her expression, hidden from his view, shifting from feigned emotion to pure derision. “I believe you. You’ve always been faithful to me. No cheating, no other woman, no shady business with anyone.”
“Of course not! No other woman could ever compare to you! Penelope, I love you. You are my whole world, my reason for living, my wife forever!”
Penelope angled her head slightly to look at Rebecca. Each of Zebulon’s vows was like a hammer blow, making her sway on her feet. She gripped the edge of a shoe cabinet for support, her face a storm of jealousy, hatred, and a venomous rage she could barely contain.
Mrs. Sullivan went over and whispered something to her, which seemed to calm her slightly, but the envy and bitterness remained.
Mrs. Sullivan n hadn’t even looked at a calendar. She had just thrown out a date, and so the wedding was set for two weeks from now. She probably figured the sooner they got the fake wedding over with, the sooner Penelope would hand over the KINY project, and the sooner they could all relax.
But in two weeks, Penelope would be marrying Theodore.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Mr. Anderson at the Johnson estate. The other day at dinner. Mr. Johnson had mentioned the wedding saying their side was almost ready. All she needed to do was pick a dress, approve the venue, buy anything she wanted and invite her friends and family.
Mr. Anderson had sent her the address of a bridal boutique.
After reading the message, Penelope looked up, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Since the wedding is so soon, why don’t we go try on dresses this afternoon?”
…
The bridal shop was located on the most bustling street in the city center. Just
from the storefront, it was clear that nothing inside would be cheap.
“You young people have no sense of saving money,” Mrs. Sullivan grumbled, “It’s just a wedding dress. You wear it once. Why does it have to be so expensive? If you ask me, you should just buy one online. There are so many styles, and they’re beautiful and most importantly
“Most importantly, they’re cheap, right?” Penelope arched an eyebrow at her. The source of this content ɪs.net
Mrs. Sullivan sniffed. “The Sullivans may have money, but it doesn’t grow on trees. Some people should learn to be more considerate!”