Chapter 461

The weather that day was sweltering, but Theodore had found a shady spot to read.

He even remembered the sci-fi novel he was reading. He was so engrossed that he didn’t even notice when it started to rain.

He was only pulled from his book by the sound of a knock at the door, which he mentioned to the Bishops’ housekeeper. The housekeeper went to answer it, muttering, “Who could be out in a storm like this?” As Theodore was about to return to his book, he saw the housekeeper lead in a little girl about his age. She had two braids, but her face and clothes were filthy, as if she’d been wandering for a long time.

He didn’t pay her much mind and went back to his reading.

Later, his mother and Mrs. Stapleton went upstairs to have tea and chat, so his mother told him to look after Lorraine.

He glanced into the living room, where Lorraine was playing with dolls with the Bishop girls.

The storm had come and gone quickly. When he finally looked up from his book again, he saw the Bishop children playing in the puddles in the yard, but Lorraine was nowhere in sight.

He quickly got up to look for her. He went to the backyard and saw the gate was open. He caught a glimpse of her dress and called out, “Lorraine!” as he ran toward the gate. Just as he was about to reach it, the large tree came crashing down…

He saw his sister pinned beneath the tree, blood mixing with the muddy water, nearly drowning her.

“I remember now. Mom told me to watch her, not Dad. Dad wasn’t even at the Bishops’ house that day.”

“It was me. My negligence caused my sister’s death.”

Listening to Theodore, Penelope was forced back to that day, a day she never wanted to remember. But because of Lorraine’s death, she was dragged back to it again and again.

They were in pain, but so was she.

“I hated him for so many years, and in the end…” Theodore gave a bitter laugh. “In the end, the one who got Lorraine killed was me!”

“Theodore…” she began, wanting to comfort him, but then she saw the cigarette had burned down to his fingers, and he hadn’t even noticed.

Penelope quickly slapped the cigarette away and took his hand. A blister was already forming.

“Lorraine’s death was just an accident,” she said weakly.

sounded

The words sounded more hollow with each repetition, more like an excuse to evade blame. But it was the truth. If they had to find a culprit for Lorraine’s death, it could be Mrs. Stapleton, the Bishops, Theodore, or even her.

“Let yourself off the hook.” And let me off the hook, too.

The next moment, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry.”

Why was he apologizing to her?

Perhaps he was apologizing for the resentment he must have felt for her at some point.

She shouldn’t assume, but she couldn’t think of any better explanation.

Michael was left to handle the accident scene while Penelope drove Theodore home.

In bed that night, he held her tightly and kept repeating, “I’m sorry.” With every apology, Penelope’s heart sank a little deeper. She knew they could never go back to the way things were.

The next morning, she woke up early and was surprised to find Theodore in the kitchen, cooking.

Usually, a maid would prepare their meals and bring them over. The apartment had a kitchen, but it was rarely used.

She couldn’t help but smile watching him fumble around. She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

“Not going to the office today?”

bet

“It’s not busy this morning, I’ll go in later.” He pulled her closer for a kiss. my

I’m making yontent

tomato and egg scramble

“Wow, tomato and egg scramble. That’s some gourmet-level cooking.”

Theodore scoffed. “Just you wait. Mine is better than any chef’s.”