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.”

"Penelope, let go

happened in the restroom that day—you're not a

came home... That was his choice. It had nothing

Serena froze.

together like scattered puzzle pieces

force out any words, her throat feeling tight and raw. "What did you

wasn't your fault. It had nothing to do with you. Please, don't carry

blinked rapidly, her eyes stinging. The more she tried to fight it, the

"Serena... Serena..."

staring at Penelope with a look that

"Get out."

as she looked at Serena,

sight of

only made

She pressed a

cold as

get out."

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

nearly collapse barely able to stay on her feet-did she finally drop the worried act. Her eyes went cold, all warmth