Chapter 376

“Mrs. Bishop knew he had someone else in his heart before she married him, but she went through with it anyway. His emotional distance and indifference often drove her to despair, which is why they fought so much. As for Edith, she seemed to have vanished. Donald has been searching for her ever since.”
No, that’s not how it happened. It was Donald who cheated first, Donald who abandoned her mother. The Bishops had forced her mother into a divorce. That’s what her mother had told her, and it couldn’t be a lie.
“Whatever the truth of what happened back then,” Mr. Johnson continued, “Donald must have loved Edith very much. For that love to remain unchanged for thirty years… it must be incredibly deep and true.”
Penelope frowned. Mr. Johnson was an impartial observer, so his conclusion was likely credible. But still… what really happened all those years ago?
Back in her room, Penelope tried to piece together the events of the past. Combining her mother’s story with Donald’s, there was a clear discrepancy. Was it a misunderstanding, or was Donald telling a malicious lie?
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Mrs. Sullivan with a photo attached. The picture was taken at a banquet, and the subject was Mrs. Stapleton.
[Mrs. Stapleton and I had a lovely chat. She asked me all about you. I tried to be kind and only said nice things, but I noticed she was most concerned about your health. She wants you to give the Stapleton family a grandson as soon as possible.]
Another message followed. [Should I tell her about your car accident? That your uterus was damaged, and you can’t get pregnant? That you can’t give her the grandson she so desperately wants?]
Even through text, Penelope could feel Mrs. Sullivan’s smug satisfaction.
[What do you want?] she typed back.
[Sign the letter of forgiveness. Get the court to give Zebulon a lighter sentence.]
[Never.]
[You’d better think this over. If I tell Mrs. Stapleton right now, do you really think her family will still want you?]
[I don’t care.]
[Penelope, I’m giving you a chance!]
Penelope exited the chat. She took a deep breath, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and drove to Stár, Villa Just as she was parking, her phone rang. It was Mrs. Bishop.
“I want you at Star Villa immediately. I have some questions for you!”
Penelope paused. “I’m already here. I’m waiting for you.”
Soon after Mrs. Stapleton returned. Her face was a dark mask of fury as she stormed over to Penelope. “Answer me, this is it true you can’t get pregnant? That you can’t have children at all?” Thıs content belongs to
Penelope looked up at her and answered calmly, “I was in a car accident some time ago, and my uterus was damaged. But I’ve been taking medication to heal
“Enough!” Mrs. Stapleton shouted. “I don’t have time for you to ‘heal.’ I expect you to be pregnant within a year!”
“I can’t guarantee that.”
“You lied to me! You lied to all of us!”
“Mr. Johnson and Theodore know.”
“They conspired with you to deceive me?”
“Mrs. Stapleton, Theodore and I are married. We have a wonderful relationship that
has nothing to do with children. I hope you can understand and trust us.”
“Mrs. Sullivan was right. You’re
nothing
tet
3 a liar and a menace. You
have no place in the Stapleton family! I want a divorce! I want you to divorce my son immediately!”