Chapter 458
Just then, Mrs. Stapleton finally found the brake and slammed her foot down. But the car was moving too fast. It was still hurtling toward the bus.
Penelope’s face went white as she braced for impact.
At the last possible second, the bus driver saw them and slammed on his own brakes.
Even so, their car still smashed into the front of the bus with a deafening crunch.
Instinctively, Penelope threw an arm out and pulled Mrs. Stapleton toward her, saving her from hitting her head on the dashboard.
The car came to a dead stop. Both of them were injured to varying degrees.
Without another thought for Mrs. Stapleton, Penelope struggled to open her door and climb out. The euphoria of survival made her laugh, but her legs immediately gave out, and she collapsed to the pavement.
Darkness crept in at the edges of her vision as she lay on the ground, a profound sense of powerlessness washing over her.
She awoke in a hospital, in a VIP room.
“Mrs. Stapleton, you’re awake.”
It was a nurse, who was changing her IV drip.
Penelope glanced around the room. Besides the nurse, it was empty. Theodore must be with Mrs. Stapleton, who was likely more seriously injured than she was.
She could have asked the nurse about Mrs. Stapleton’s condition, but she found she didn’t want to know.
This was the second time Mrs. Stapleton had tried to kill her. Even if she was sick, Penelope couldn’t endure it anymore.
Theodore didn’t come until that evening. His brow was furrowed, his face etched with exhaustion. He walked to her bedside and leaned down to hug her.
“I’m sorry.”
Penelope pushed him away and turned her face to the side.
“The next time, or the time after that, you’ll be saying those words to my gravestone.”
Theodore’s frown deepened. “There won’t be a next time!”
“Can you promise me that?”
“Of course I…”
“Not unless you tie your mother up with a rope for the rest of her life!”
Theodore saw the raw anger in her eyes. He lowered his head, defeated, and let out
a heavy sigh.
“You’re right. I can’t promise anything.”
“I. Am. Not. The one. Who killed. Lorraine!”
“I never said you were.”
“I am not your family’s sinner!”
Theodore reached for her shoulders, but she flinched away.
“Why should I… have to endure all of this!”
His eyes turned red. He looked at Penelope, opening his mouth several times, but no words came out. It felt as anything he could possibly say would only cause her more pal
He could only look at her, his expression shifting from helplessness to
powerlessness, and finally, to a silent plea.
Penelope couldn’t bear to see him like that and quickly turned her face away again.
“I’m a selfish person, you know. I
don’t want to be sad, or hurt, or
wronged. I can love someongs
love myself more
“I can love you more than I love myself,” Theodore said, his voice thick with emotion.
“But I don’t want that. And I can’t bear that weight.”
“Penelope!”
“If we can’t find a solution, then maybe we should…”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence!” he cut her off with a low growl.
Penelope’s lips trembled. Her heart was breaking, but what was the point of going on like this?
“Theodore…”
“I have to go to the police station,” he said, seeing the resolve in her eyes. He interrupted her frantically and strode out of the room, as it he were escaping
In the end, Penelope couldn’t say the words. She didn’t have the heart to.
A little while later, a doctor came in to check on her.
He explained that her injuries were superficial and not serious, but that she still needed to take care of herself.
“It’s especially important to stay relaxed and maintain a good mood during the first trimester.”
Penelope stared at him, stunned. “Doctor, did you just say… I’m pregnant?”