Chapter 290

They made their way from table to table. Theodore drank quite a bit of alcohol, and Penelope drank quite a bit, too—of water. She let out a small, watery burp. After toasting the last table, she hurried to the restroom.
As she was washing her hands, she saw Yvonne touching up her makeup. She had no intention of engaging, but Yvonne clearly had other plans.
“I’ve been looking all over, but I haven’t seen Mrs. Stapleton. Don’t tell me she didn’t attend her own son’s wedding?” Yvonne asked with feigned surprise.
Penelope pressed her lips together. It was true that Theodore’s mother hadn’t come. He hadn’t given a reason, and she hadn’t asked. The wedding was about her and Theodore. As long as they were both there, it was perfect.
“Mrs. Stapleton has very high standards for her daughter-in-law,” Yvonne continued, her voice dripping with condescension. “She values character, appearance, and most importantly, family background. Which of those three do you possess?”
Penelope shrugged. She could lack all three and she would still be, officially, Mrs. Stapleton.
“I’m guessing Mrs. Stapleton disapproves of you, which is why she boycotted the wedding.” Yvonne’s lips twisted into a sneer.
Penelope rolled her eyes. The woman was just oozing envy and resentment. In that case, she might as well give her more to be envious of. She deliberately raised her hand, flashing the enormous pink diamond on her ring finger, waving it back and forth in front of Yvonne’s face. As expected, Yvonne’s expression soured.
“You think wearing that ring makes your position as Mrs. Stapleton secure?” Yvonne scoffed. “As long as she doesn’t accept you, you’ll never truly be part of the Stapleton family!”
Penelope ignored her, continuing to wave the ring.
“What are you so proud of? You’re not better than me in any way!”
“Theodore and I grew up together!”
“Our parents had an agreement. I was supposed to marry him!”
Penelope pursed her lips. Look at her, getting so worked up she was about to cry.
“Mrs. Stapleton still prefers me, and so does Theodore!”
“If it weren’t for… for what happened Yvonne bit her lip, her face a mask of bitter resentment at the memory.
Penelope raised an eyebrow. What was she talking about?
“Do you know what your biggest advantage is?” Yvonne’s voice turned venomous. “It’s that you’re not a daughter of the Bishop family. If you were, Theodore would never have married you!” The rıghtful source is
Because I’m not a Bishop, he married me. If I were, he wouldn’t have…
If I were…
“What what are you trying to say?” Penelope demanded, her throat aching as she forced the words out.
A triumphant smirk appeared on Yvonne’s face. “Theodore didn’t tell you something
so important? It seems he doesn’t really consider you family after all.”
“Tell me what you mean!”
“Why should I?” Yvonne laughed coldly. “I can guarantee your marriage won’t last.
I’ll be waiting. I’ll wait for the day Theodore sees me again.”
Penelope’s eyes narrowed. Since Yvonne clearly had no intention of telling her anything there was no need to be polite. So, you’re just going to wait around, hoping a married man gets divorced so he’ll marry you? I didn’t realize you were that pathetic, Ms. Bishop?
“You!”
“I do hope you enjoy the rest of the reception, Ms. Bishop.”
With that, Penelope turned and walked out. She wasn’t a Bishop, so that hypothetical “if” didn’t apply to her That’s right. She just wouldn’t let it bother her Having convinced herself, she put on a smile and walked back toward Theodore. Cóntent
After a long and eventful day, the wedding finally came to a perfect close. When they returned to the Johnson villa, Theodore had her pinned against the door the moment they stepped inside, his mouth crashing down on hers in an overwhelming kiss.