Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 251

Seeing Penelope standing at her front door was the last thing Serena expected.

"Serena..." Penelope hurried over, her eyes filled with guilt as she drew close. "I'm sorry. I never wanted things to end up like this."

Serena's voice was cool and measured. "Can you drop the act for once?"

Penelope looked up, startled by the coldness in Serena's tone.

Only then did she realize: the little girl who'd once barely reached her thigh could now look her dead in the eye-if not look down at her.

Ignoring Penelope's searching gaze, Serena spoke with biting clarity. "You've been wearing that same mask your whole life. Always acting as if Dad forced you into this marriage, like you were some poor victim. But the truth? When Dad came to propose, you agreed. Nobody forced you."

"And every time you pretended to stand up for me, you were really just looking out for Bella Brooks. Don't think I never noticed."

"You say you never wanted any of this-what, did someone hold a gun to your head and make you drag me into court?"

Penelope's composure crumbled, her face going pale.

"So spare me the performance. It just makes me sick." Serena finished, turning to head into the building.

Penelope dropped the façade entirely. She reached out, grabbing Serena's arm in desperation. "Serena, please listen. I know you resent me, but there's something you need to hear—something I have to explain.”

let

restroom that day—you're not a murderer, Serena.

when your father came home... That was his

Serena froze.

mind spun, memories suddenly clicking together like scattered puzzle pieces forming a

words, her

father's accident-it wasn't your fault. It had nothing to do with you. Please,

more she tried to fight

"Serena... Serena..."

at Penelope with a look that was equal parts disbelief

"Get out."

eyes filled with tears as she looked at Serena, her

of Penelope's

made Serena fee

She pressed a

her words cold as

get out."

go—don't be angry, and please, don't blame yourself. I'm

she saw Serena nearly collapse barely able to stay on her feet-did she finally