Chapter 106

"Of course not. We're friends, after all. You're pregnant and homeless; it's only right that I take pity on you."

"Don't say 'pity.' That sounds awful."

"You don't like hearing it? But I think your situation is quite pitiful. No one loves you, no one cares for you, and your career is a total mess..."

"Stop it!" Rebecca snapped, gritting her teeth. Even she was starting to feel sorry for herself. “I'm just staying here temporarily. Someone will be coming to get me soon."

Penelope scoffed. Hoping the Sullivans will come for you? Oh, they will. But they only want the baby in your belly. As for you? You're nothing to them.

The wind and rain raged through the night, but Penelope slept soundly.

She was startled awake the next morning by shouting outside. Still groggy, she went to the window and saw Rebecca running out to open the gate.

Zebulon was leaning against the gate, and the moment it swung open, he collapsed to the ground. He was soaked to the bone, shivering violently, and barely conscious.

So, he had come straight from the restaurant and waited outside her door all night, through the wind and rain?

"Zebulon! Zebulon, what's wrong? You're burning up! You have a fever!"

Rebecca's panicked cries alerted the Sullivans across the street. Luna saw the scene and rushed back inside to get help. A moment later, Mrs. Sullivan emerged, clutching him back.

"My boy! What are you doing on the ground? What's happened? Don't you scare me!"

She rushed over, and when Rebecca explained he had a fever from being out in the rain, Mrs. Sullivan immediately understood. Her face contorted with rage as she looked up at the second-floor window and saw Penelope standing there. "You heartless bitch! Are you trying to kill my son?" she shrieked. "How could you just let him stand outside in the rain all night? Did a dog eat your heart? Why are you still standing there watching? Get down here and take my son to the hospital!"

Always something to ruin a perfectly good morning.

Penelope calmly drew the curtains and went back to bed, listening to Mrs. Sullivan's tirade as she savored the morning quiet.

A drunken stupor two nights ago, a night in the rain yesterday-he was really committed to this whole damsel-in-distress act.

An ambulance eventually took Zebulon away. With all this drama, it was unlikely he'd be making any trips to the courthouse for the next few days.

That suited her just fine. She had more important things to do than play their games.

In

On Monday morning, Penelope arrived at Zenith Group with Nathan Reed and a few colleagues from the project department. When they reached the conference room, Linda informed her that. Theodore wanted to see her in his office first

She found him leaning back in his chair, looking relaxed, as if he had been waiting specifically for her. But the first thing she noticed upan entering was the strong smell of herbs.

Sure enough, sitting on his desk was a bowl of a dark, murky liquid.

"A few days ago, you swore you'd take your medicine on time. Have you?"

Theodore asked, his eyes narrowed.

Penelope felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't. She had forgotten, and besides, brewing the stuff was a hassle.

"I see oaths mean nothing to you."

"I've been incredibly busy lately."

"From now on, you will come to my office every day. I'm going to personally

supervise you drinking this."

"What? That's not necessary!"

"You have two choices. One, you come here every day and drink it like a good girl. Two, you turn left out that door, and today's meeting is canceled."

"You-you're mixing business with pleasure!"

else,

Theodore stood up and walked over to her, tilting his head as he offered a wry smile. "With anyone el business business. But with you, the lines can be blurred."

"So I'm special?"

"You're a special kind of trouble."

...