Chapter 472

Every night, when she couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t either. He would hold the trash can

for her, bring her warm water, and hold her, gently patting her back.

Days passed like this, as if the tragedies had already faded from their lives.

But…

“I feel like this life isn’t real,” Penelope confided in Hannah James.

Hannah paused for a moment. “Everyone’s just pretending.”

“Yes. At least, I am. And I think Theodore is, too.”

“But maybe pretending is the only way to truly forget.”

“Is it?”

Hannah smiled. “Does it matter?”

“Huh?”

“What matters is that you see the effort he’s making for you, because he loves you.”

Penelope was taken aback for a second, then nodded with a smile.

She was right. What was more important than the fact that he loved her?

After talking with Hannah, Penelope felt a sense of relief. On her way home, Theodore texted her that he had to work late and she shouldn’t wait for him for dinner. He asked what she wanted to eat, and he would pick it up on his way home.

Penelope was craving oranges, the kind with green peels.

“I’ll get them for you on my way home.”

That evening, Penelope still had no appetite but managed to eat half a bowl of porridge.

As she was about to head upstairs to rest, she received a phone call.

She stepped out for a bit, and when she returned, her mind was made up.

It was nearly midnight when Theodore came home. After getting ready for bed, he carefully slid in behind her and tucked her in.

“Goodnight, my love,” he whispered.

In truth, Penelope was still awake. She turned over and snuggled into his arms. “Why so late?”

“Hmm, we have a new project launching, so I had to work late. I’ll be home earlier tomorrow to be with you. Don’t be mad, okay?”

“I’m not mad!”

“Are you sure?”

Penelope pressed her forehead against his chest. Okay, her tone did sound angry. But it wasn’t anger; it was something deeper, a sense of resentment.

“Theodore, if time could go back to that summer twenty years ago, I would never have chosen to go to the Bishop family’s home that day.”

“Why are you bringing that up again?” Theodore’s voice sharpened.

“And if that hadn’t happened, Mr. Johnson would never have arranged for me to marry you, and we would never have been together.”

“Don’t talk about these ‘what ifs’ anymore.”

“If that were the case, wouldn’t life be so much easier for both of us?”

“Penelope!”

Penelope quickly hugged his waist. “Okay, I’ll stop.”

Theodore pulled her tighter. “We’re fine now, aren’t we? Don’t overthink things.”

“Okay.”

The next morning, Theodore woke

up first. Seeing Penelope sleeping soundly, be feaned down and kissed her before heading to the bathroom. He was startled by his own election in the mirror. Was this worn-out, lifeless face really his?

He felt utterly exhausted. He needed to take a break.

When he got to the office, he was surprised not to see Harold. Linda, returning from

a meeting, looked shocked to see him.

“Didn’t we agree yesterday that you

would go straight to the airport this morning for the government bidding launch in the next city? Harold should be waiting for you there by now.”

Linda’s reminder made Theodore realize his mistake, and he immediately had them call for the car.

Watching Theodore hurry downstairs, Linda’s face was filled with concern.

Once in the car, Theodore checked the time. He should still be able to make the flight.

But just then, his phone rang. It was Hamilton Theo, you need to get to Mercy Point Hospital right now! Your

wife scheduled an abortion, and

she’s about to go

into the operating

room!”