Chapter 563

As if she wanted that. Besides, wasn’t he the one lurking in her room?
Penelope decided not to argue, considering he had helped her out in a big way today. She started walking toward the closet, but after just two steps, Theodore snapped.
“Penelope, have some self-respect!”
Penelope’s mouth twitched. “I’m getting clothes!”
“”
The closet was next to the balcony, so she had to walk past him to get her pajamas.
Once she was dressed, she figured she could finally turn on the lights, but he stopped her again.
“I don’t want to see your face.”
Being constantly rebuffed and scorned was enough to test anyone’s patience, and Penelope was not known for her good temper.
“Then could you please get out of my room?”
Theodore didn’t move. Instead, he lit another cigarette and took several drags
before speaking. “Penelope, don’t ever try to contact me through anyone again.”
Penelope pressed her lips together. He was warning her about last night.
“The situation was critical last night. I had no other choice
“So you just assumed I would help you?”
“I
“You were so sure I cared about your pathetic life?”
“Actually
“Penelope, you think far too highly of yourself!”
Penelope huffed in frustration. Would he even let her get a word in?
“I promise I’ll never contact you again, okay?”
“I don’t trust you. So I’ll be warning Michael as well.”
Then why are you wasting your breath on me!
“Regardless, I still want to thank you for what you did last night.”
“Don’t thank me. Just leave Orenth as soon as possible.”
Penelope took a deep breath. “Orenth doesn’t belong to the Stapletons. Why should I listen to you?”
.n
“For the past six years, Julian and I have had a peaceful life. I like that peace, and I don’t want anyone to disrupt it. Penelope, we have to admit that we can’t treat each other as complete strangers. So the best solution is for us not to be in each other’s lives.”
“Your presence only brings us trouble. Endless trouble.”
“Please, have some consideration for us. Leave Orenth, and never come back.”
After saying his piece, Theodore crushed the cigarette butt and walked from the balcony toward the door.
As he passed Penelope, he didn’t pause or even glance in her direction.
A sharp pain pierced Penelope’s
chest. Only after Theodore was
did she
gone
ainautch the spot, gasping for
alas if to ease the ache.
Even though she was the one who had insisted on leaving, and even though six years had passed, she still couldn’t face Theodore without her emotions stirring. But it seemed Theodore could content
The past she couldn’t let go of, he already had.
Did she regret it?
Penelope still didn’t. In fact, she would have been happier if he had been the one to
let go first.