, a thin line of dawn slipped through the heavy
y-until the memories of the previous nigh
across her waist, his breathing slow and steady. Care
she pulled out a simple dress from it and slipped into it, then folded her weddi
urally quiet, weigh
keys on the rack. Taking a deep breath, she glanced back at Carlton one last time. He re
ing him a note, but
be explained. She grabbed the
lway, into the elevator,
of the building. Relief washed over her as she saw her car p
d shut the door,
seat, its screen glowing with m
ll, Geoffrey, and even Mrs. Oretha. Penelope's heart sank as she stared at t
udgment she wasn't ready to face. With a clenched jaw, she tossed th
it all. A few streets away, she pulled over beside a public tra
imagined walking do
rs, she shoved it into the b
n't loo
e time she arrived home, the hou
offrey. Hillar
ryo
oment she stepped inside, the tension thickened. Her
e you out of your mind?" His fac
elope stared at her father, and a c
illary rushed forward, arms
, reaching for her hand, his voice strained with panic. "Penel
ence louder than any accusation. She walked past th
you got us all worried," Mrs Oreth
eoffrey," Penelope announced, her voice s
turned pale, his mouth opening and closing wordlessl
e replied, her voice unwavering.
u made me look like a fool in front of my friends,
ppointment, and you came home reeking of male cologne, and you sai
sion one of concern. "Penelope, wha
ayal echoed in her memory, clear as day. How could she have been so blind? She mused
calculating bitch you are?' she
s. "If you are not marrying Geoffrey, then y
ds land
an her well-being. She took a deep breath, standing tall. "I am not getting married. It was my ch
you leave this house and never come back.
r ground. "Fine. I will leave," she declared
She couldn't bear to look them in the face and she nev
turned and walked upstairs, and immediatel
into her bedroom she slammed the
. She picked up her passport and her essentials, tears streamed down hùer face, but she wip
angrily, Mrs Oretha trying to calm him down, wh
ces she once trusted, at the place she once
ep, her father glared at her
t hesitation, her eyes
them all, out the front door, and in
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