Chapter 125
Her words made Theodore finally stub out his cigarette, his eyes narrowing on
her.
“I may have forgotten, but this isn’t just about me! This is a partnership! You have a responsibility to remind me!” she pressed on, gaining momentum. “And is making a baby my job alone? Why do you get to wash your hands of it? And another thing, my body might have some issues, but are you sure you’re perfect? What if, when the time comes, the problem is with you? What will you say then?” A laugh, laced with disbelief, escaped him. “So, what you’re saying is, I should rush back right now and give you a demonstration of my body’s capabilities p>
“That won’t be necessary,” Penelope backpedaled, suddenly afraid she’d pushed him too far. Her tone softened. “Mr. Stapleton, you have a million things to deal with. Please don’t neglect your work for my sake. I’d feel terrible p>
“Do you require an apology from me p>
“Of course not! I wouldn’t dare ask for such a thing p>
“I’m curious,” he said, his voice dangerously smooth. “If Zenith Group and KINY weren’t working on this project together, if I wasn’t your client, how would you be treating me right now p>
“Want a demonstration p>
“Go ahead p>
Instantly, Penelope’s expression hardened. “You think you’re so great because you have money? Because you’re handsome? Well, I don’t need you! I am sick and tired of putting up with your rotten attitude! That’s it, I’m done. You can sit there and think about what you’ve done. I’m hanging up p>
And with a decisive tap, she ended the call. A surprising wave of satisfaction washed over her.
Just then, she heard the front gate creak open. It had to be Rebecca, but Penelope was in no mood to deal with her and headed upstairs. She fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, but with the night’s drama still on her mind, her sleep was light.
Sometime later, she heard the front door again, followed by urgent, hushed voices. She immediately opened her eyes, slipped out of bed, and peeked through a crack in the curtains.
Two figures were struggling in her front yard: Rebecca and a woman in a floral dress with her hair in a bun-Rebecca’s mother, looking every bit as unsophisticated as Penelope remembered.
“You think you’ve got wings now, huh? Getting married without even telling me!” the woman hissed. “Who is this man? Why haven’t you brought him home to meet me p>
“Mom, keep your voice down!” Rebecca pleaded, terrified of waking Penelope.
“I’m not a thief! Why should I sneak around p>
“I’m not married p>
“So you got pregnant without being married? Have you no self-respect p>
“It’s not that, it’s just… Ugh, it’s complicated p>
“You got married without my permission, so I don’t approve! You’re coming with me to the hospital right now to get rid of that baby p>
“Mom, stop being crazy p>
A sharp slap echoed in the night. “You dare call me crazy? Do you have any idea the trouble you’re in p>
Rebecca clutched her cheek, her voice a mix of anger and desperation. “Look, I know what I’m doing p>
“You may know, but I don’t! You’re coming to the hospital p>
Mrs. Winters was tall and strong from years of working on construction sites. She grabbed Rebecca’s arm and started dragging her out of the yard Pushed to her limit, Rebecca finally broke,
“He’s from that family!” she cried, pointing at the villa across the street.
Mrs. Winters looked over, her eyes widening for a moment before she sneered. “So they’re too good to show their faces, are they? Hiding in there like cowards p>
“Mom, it’s the middle of the night! Can you please just stop p>
But Mrs. Winters ignored her. She marched straight to the Sullivans’ front gate and began banging on it with all her might.
Fifteen minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, along with Zebulon, were roused from their sleep and gathered in the living room.
Mrs.
Winters recognized Zebulonnet
swn ver
immediately and stormed toward him.
“So you’re the man who married my daughter?” she demanded, jabbing a finger at his nose. “Where are your manners? Didn’t your parents teach you anything? You marry a girl Cand you don’t even have the decency to meet her parents p>