Chapter 469
Norton was dead, his organs harvested p>
In the morgue, Penelope stared at the body covered by a white sheet. She could see the sunken abdomen, the hollows where his eyes should be, and a violent pain seized her heart, so intense that every breath she took felt like a sharp blade slicing through her nerves.
Theodore’s pain was surely greater, but he showed nothing. He glanced once, confirming the body was indeed Norton’s, then asked the officer if they had found the killers.
“We’re in pursuit. We have some leads, and we’re confident we’ll catch this group soon p>
Theodore nodded. “When can we take him p>
“If you could sign here, we’ll expedite the paperwork. Then he can be released for cremation p>
“Okay p>
As they left, Penelope looked at Theodore’s unnervingly calm expression and grew even more worried. Lorraine’s accidental death had already tormented him for years. Now this… Norton p>
Because of Mrs. Stapleton’s neglect, Theodore had practically raised Norton himself, acting as both a brother and a father. He would blame himself for not protecting Norton, for not doing enough, for not being there when Norton was being hurt p>
He would never be able to forgive himself for Norton’s death.
“Theodore p>
She wanted to comfort him, but what could she say?
Norton was dead, and in such a horrific way.
“I’m going to the station to get Norton’s things,” Theodore said, his voice raw. He didn’t look at Penelope, as if trying to hide himself from the world’s prying eyes.
“I’ll go with you p>
Penelope wanted to accompany him, too worried to let him go alone, but a sharp pain suddenly shot through her lower abdomen.
Realizing what it might mean, Penelope’s face went pale with fright.
“Go back to the hotel and rest p>
Without another word, Theodore drove off toward the police station. Penelope didn’t insist on going with him. Instead, she hailed a cab and rushed to the hospital.
Fortunately, it was just the
emotional turmoil and recent exhaustion.causing some instability with the pregnancy. The doctor prescribed medication to help c
1.n
Stabilize it and advised her torest as much as possible for the first trimester.
But so much had just happened.
Fearing Theodore might do something rash, she called Hamilton.
Her fears were quickly confirmed. She waited at the hotel for over two hours, but Theodore didn’t return. When she tried calling him, his phone was off.
Penelope then called the officer in charge of the case, who told her Theodore had never shown up to collect the belongings.
Where could he have gone?
Just as she was panicking, Hamilton, Michael, and Simon arrived.
Hamilton and Michael went out to search for Theodore, while Simon stayed with her.
“Theo won’t do anything stupid, don’t worry,” Simon reassured her.
Penelope closed her eyes. “If only I had caught up to Norton that day, if I had stopped him, then he p>
Then he wouldn’t have been killed.
Theodore had his guilt, and she had hers.
“You could have stopped him once, but could you have stopped him a second or third time?” Simon
pressed a cup of warm water et
into
her harde. “It’s just like with Theodore. He loved his brother so much, but even he couldn’t prevent this outcome p>
“Norton must have been in so much pain… so scared, so hopeless… before he died p>
To have his organs torn from his body while he was still alive p>
God, she couldn’t even bear to imagine it.
Simon took several deep breaths, then slammed his fist into the sofa
in frustration. “Damn it, if I ever get my hands on those bastards. I swear I’ll tear them fimb from limb p>
His words sent a jolt through Penelope.