, 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