Chapter 99

Divorce?

How could they get a divorce when they were never married?

She couldn't wait to see how he would play this out tomorrow.

That night, Rebecca stayed at the Sullivans' house, likely in the room she had occupied before. Penelope imagined she and Zebulon were probably tumbling in the sheets at that very moment.

Having finally gotten her foot in the door, Rebecca would do anything to stay. Penelope was sure she had a big part to play in tomorrow's drama.

The next morning, Penelope deliberately took the two fake marriage certificates with her and went over to the Sullivans' house. The moment she reached the door, Mrs. Sullivan threw it open and pulled her inside.

"You have to see Zebulon! He's going to destroy himself!"

The stench of alcohol hit her the moment they reached the small upstairs living room.

Zebulon was passed out on the floor, still in yesterday's trousers and white shirt, surrounded by a sea of empty bottles.

"Look what you've done to him. Don't you feel even a little bit of pity?" Mrs. Sullivan lamented.

"So I take it he won't be able to make it to the courthouse today?" Penelope asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What? You're still thinking about divorcing him?"

"That was the plan, wasn't it?"

"How can you be so heartless?"

"I wasn't the one who suggested it."

"But that doesn't mean you should actually go through with it!"

Penelope let out a soft huff and turned to leave.

"Where are you going? You're just going to leave him lying on the floor like that? Aren't you going to stay and take care of him?"

Penelope sneered internally. So this was their game. Fine. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, the day after. His bag of tricks had to run out eventually.

She went downstairs, but just as she was about to leave, Mr. Sullivan called out to her from the dining room.

"Since you're here, you might as well have breakfast before you go. Your mother was up at the crack of dawn preparing it for you. You wouldn't want to break her heart, would you?" he said, his voice stern and authoritative.

"Yes, Penelope. Have something to eat before work," Mrs. Sullivan added awkwardly.

So, Zebulon had played his part. Now it was the old folks' turn. "Alright."

Penelope walked over and sat down at the dining table. The spread was more lavish than usual. Whether Mrs. Sullivan had actually made it or not it was clear some effort had been put in.

"Penelope your favorite. Pumpkin spice oatmeal," Mrs. Sullivan said, not only scooping a bowl for her but also placingat in front of her's still

a little hot. Be careful.”

"I believe this is the first time you've ever served me since Zebulon and I moved

in."

"Ahem. From now on, I'll... I'll serve you every day."

"What a shame. I don't think I'll have many opportunities to eat here in the future."

"What are you talking about?"

"Zebulon and I are getting a divorce."

"Absolutely not!" Mr. Sullivan slammed his hand on the table. "Marriage is not a game! You can't just end it on a whim. Your mother and I will not allow it!"

Marriage is not a game?

But a sham marriage was?

Penelope let out a low laugh. "But

that's not what you said before, Mr.

Sullivan. You said the Sullivan family

r-in-law like:

didn't want a daughter in law

me that I was ungrateful and an embarrassment to you."

Mr. Sullivan's face darkened. “Every family has its disagreements. You can't just

run for a divorce over a small argument. I will not approve it!"

"You don't want Zebulon and I to divorce because I'm now the director of the KINY Plaza project, right?"

"That's... that's ridiculous!"

"So if I gave the project to someone else, would you still consider me your daughter-in-law?"

"Of... of course!"

"Then it seems I've misunderstood you."

Just then, her phone rang. It was Lilian. Penelope answered it right in front of them.

"Dinner tonight at Maple Haven? Perfect. We can discuss the details then."

...