Chapter 378

She and Theodore trusted each other. She could go to him and ask, clear up the uncertainty that now clouded her heart. With that thought, she started the car and drove straight to Theodore’s downtown apartment.
She walked in just as he was arriving home, shrugging off his suit jacket. He saw her, wrapped her in his arms for a quick kiss, and then headed to the kitchen before she could say a word.
Penelope sank onto the sofa, her mind a chaotic storm. But a small voice inside her insisted, As long as Theodore loves you, nothing else matters.
Yes. All she needed to do was believe in his love for her. Why should she care about anything else?
And yet, she still had to ask.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she took a deep breath and looked up as he approached. “I need to ask you
Her words caught in her throat. Theodore had placed a bowl of steaming, dark herbal medicine in front of her.
“You forgot to take your medicine again today, didn’t you?”
His gently chiding tone felt as bitter as the medicine itself, and she found she couldn’t speak.
“Come on, drink it up. I’m going to go take a shower.”
He didn’t seem to notice her distress as he started toward the stairs.
“What if… what if this medicine doesn’t work? What if I can’t get pregnant?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Don’t think like that. It will work,” he said, his voice a casual reassurance.
“A year, two years, three… how much time will you give me?”
“What are you talking about?” Theodore walked back, a smile on his face. “I guarantee you’ll be pregnant within a year. How does that sound?”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“What?” Theodore froze.
“I said I don’t want to have a baby!”
“Did something happen?”
“I won’t do it! I’m not your breeding machine!”
The anger simmering inside her finally boiled over. She swiped her hand across the table, sending the bowl of medicine crashing to the floor. With a sharp crack, the dark liquid splattered everywhere.
“You want a divorce? Fine! I’ll give you a divorce!”
“What did you just say? Say it again,” Theodore’s face hardened, his voice dangerously low.
“What’s so great about you, Theodore Stapleton? If I can’t have you, I can’t have you! Who said you’re the only man in the world for me?” Penelope unleashed all her pent-up hurt. “I want a divorce!”
“Take it back!” Theodore roared, his own anger flaring.
“We’re going to the courthouse tomorrow!”
“Penelope!”
“I may not have anything to give you, but my love is precious, and I’m taking it back!”
“What is wrong with you?”
“I must have been crazy to marry you!” she screamed.
She spun around to leave, but Theodore grabbed his jacket first. “I’m going back to the office.” He visibly fought to control his temper. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear any of that you you should get some sleep.”
With that, he strode out of the apartment. The door slammed shut behind him, and Penelope collapsed onto the sofa.
Was I insane? Why did I say those things? She didn’t want to lose Theodore She loved him, but… But she wouldn’t let that love make her
feet small No matter what anyone
else thought, Penelope Laurier would always hold herself in high regard. She was remarkable, and she would not accept being belittled by anyone. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ
That night, Penelope left Theodore’s apartment. She didn’t go back to the Johnson estate but instead went to a small condo she had recently bought for herself. It was fully furnished, a ready-made escape. As she lay in the unfamiliar bed she had a sobering realization she had never been entirely certain about her
relationship with Theodore. Otherwise, why would she have prepared a way out?
She had always kept an escape route.