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.

looked on, their eyes filled with worry, but neither dared to

her hands harder against her temples, desperate

hammered at her chest, each blow crushing her

threads unraveling one by one, until the

Penelope hadn't lied.

was her

before her father 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 him,

But he'd completely forgotten.

thrown a tantrum, crying and begging until he finally gave in and promised he'd

from Buttercream

always snapped at her whenever she

Serena had crept upstairs in secret and

sweetheart. Anything

before he could finish, Serena heard

while turning around. Now, her mind was flooded with flashes

wrapped gently around hers, pulling her back