Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 285

The hallway was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

For a long while, Gabrielle just stood there, frozen. Finally, she managed to force out a few words through gritted teeth. "I don't believe it..."

"Miss Chatham, it's the truth." Penelope couldn't hold it in any longer-she broke down, sobbing. "Serena's father died because of her. If she hadn't insisted he come back for her birthday, he wouldn't have driven all night. If she hadn't begged for that cake from Buttercream Bliss Bakery, he wouldn't have turned the car around he wouldn't have crashed into that truck. She's the reason he died, and she doesn't even remember. The rest of us are the ones left grieving."

Penelope's cries grew louder, echoing down the empty corridor.

Gabrielle was speechless.

She turned to Serena, her face suddenly twisting with emotion. "Serena."

"Don't come near me!" Serena's face had gone ghostly pale. She staggered back

a step, then suddenly clutched her head in agony. "Just-stay away..."

Her body swayed unsteadily, as if she might collapse at any moment.

eyes filled with worry,

Serena pressed her hands harder against her temples,

hammered at her chest, each blow crushing her

to creep in, threads unraveling one by one,

Penelope hadn't lied.

really was her

left, he'd promised he'd be home for her birthday. She'd waited and waited, counting down the days. The night before, she'd called

But he'd completely forgotten.

crying and begging until he finally gave in and promised

day, on a whim, she remembered the cake her favorite, from Buttercream Bliss Bakery. She wanted it

and always snapped at her whenever she

had crept upstairs in secret and

didn't hesitate. "Of course, sweetheart. Anything for my

could finish, Serena heard a loud crash

truck while turning around. Now, her mind was flooded with flashes of her father's body beneath the

pulling her