Chapter 201
That evening, David took over the kitchen, cooking the very fish he’d caught earlier while singing at the top of his lungs. Mr. Johnson, acting as his sous-chef, even broke into a little dance to accompany the tune.
Penelope walked in on this lively scene, and the gloom that had clouded her afternoon instantly melted away.
“It’s just one fish,” she teased. “Are you two really this excited p>
“You wouldn’t understand an angler’s pride!” David sang, turning to look at Penelope. His song died in his throat when he saw the cut on her forehead. “What happened there p>
Penelope quickly waved it off. “It’s nothing, I just bumped it,” she said, careful not to mention the car accident.
David leaned in to inspect the cut, and only relaxed after confirming it wasn’t deep.
“You should have seen us trying to land this beast!” Mr. Johnson laughed, the memory still fresh. “It was so strong, it nearly pulled both of us into the water. Your dad here panicked and started shouting for help! Two young lads had to run over and give us a hand p>
“Then they had the nerve to give us a lecture,” David added with a grin. “”A big fish is nice,’ they said, ‘but your old bones are more important p>
“They were just jealous!” Mr. Johnson declared.
“Exactly! All they’d caught all day were a couple of minnows p>
The two men were lost in their banter again, leaving Penelope to her own devices.
She stepped outside to call Theodore, asking if he’d be home that night.
“I have to make a stop at my family’s estate first p>
“Oh p>
“It’s nothing urgent. But since we’re getting married soon, I figured I should probably let them know p>
Penelope blinked. “Wait, you haven’t told your family we’re getting married? Isn’t that kind of a big deal p>
“My mother knows, but she doesn’t like to meddle in my personal affairs. And since the Johnsons are handling most of the wedding arrangements, she’s even less inclined to get involved p>
“So… should I go meet your mother, then p>
“Only if you want to p>
“I don’t!” Penelope said instantly.
After all, their marriage wasn’t a real one. It had an expiration date, and she had
no desire to get tangled up with the Stapleton family.
“I’ll be over later,” he said.
“Should I wait up for you p>
“You can wait for me in bed p>
She groaned playfully. “You’re impossible. I’m exhausted, I don’t want to p>
“Behave,” he warned, his voice laced with amusement.
Penelope switched to a comically formal tone. “Mr. Stapleton, I will present
myself, freshly scrubbed, for your esteemed inspection p>
Theodore chuckled. “Penelope, where do you get all this energy? Always so full of life, so spirited and that smart mouth of yours p>
“My boundless energy comes from a simple philosophy: eat well, sleep well, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Never let myself be wronged, always seize an opportunity, stay far away from anything that brings me down, and do something fun every day. And for the record, ‘smartmouth’ is usually an insult p>
“On you, it’s a compliment p>
“Why p>
“Because I happen to enjoy your smart mouth p>
“Oh, darling,” she cooed, laying it on thick, “you are the most perfect man in the world: Handsome, rich, brilliant, and kinet, you’re
distinguished but not distant, proud but not arrogant, composed but never boring p>
“Alright, stop,” he laughed. “You’re laying it on a little thick p>
Though she was teasing Theodore, she found her own spirits lifting too. So what if she had to face people she disliked and dredge up a past she’d rather forget? What was there to be afraid of? In fact, this could be the perfect opportunity to finally settle an old score.
At dinner, caught in the crossfire of the two older men piling food onto her plate, Penelope ate until she was stuffed.
To work off the heavy meal, she decided to get a workout in.
When Theodore returned, he found her in the third-floor gym, laying into a heavy bag with ferocious intensity.
She was clearly picturing it as Susan, channeling all the resentment she’d bottled up since college, ready to unleash it tomorrow.
“You mess with me, and I’ll make you cry!” she grunted with a particularly vicious hook.
“Who’s got you so worked up?” Theodore asked, amused.
Penelope turned, a mischievous glint in her eye. “You think you can take me? How about we go a few rounds p>
Theodore raised an eyebrow. “Only if you promise not to cry when you lose.” She scoffed. “We’ll see who’s crying p>