LittleNovelChapter 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 cback 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 cnear 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.
Both William and Gabrielle looked on, their eyes filled with worry, but neither dared to approach.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"No-!" Serena pressed her hands harder against her temples, desperate to block it all out.
Penelope's words hammered at her chest, each blow crushing her heart, grinding it to dust.
Long-buried memories began to creep in, threads unraveling one by one, until the truth-bloody and raw-hit her with full force.
Penelope hadn't lied.
It really was her fault.
That year, before her father left, he'd promised he'd be hfor her birthday. She'd waited and waited, counting down the days. The night before, she'd called him, giddy with excitement.
But he'd completely forgotten.
She'd thrown a tantrum, crying and begging until he finally gave in and promised he'd cback.
The next day, on a whim, she remembered the cake her favorite, from Buttercream Bliss Bakery. She wanted it so badly, but Penelope had never liked her and always snapped at her whenever she asked for anything.
So Serena had crept upstairs in secret and called her father herself.
He didn't hesitate. "Of course, sweetheart. Anything for my little princess=" But before he could finish, Serena heard a loud crash through the phone.
Later, she would learn that was the moment he hit the truck while turning around. Now, her mind was flooded with flashes of her father's body beneath the wreckage, blood everywhere.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Serena..." Suddenly, a warm hand wrapped gently around hers, pulling her back from the icy grip of the past.
She looked up and met a pair of gentle, concerned eyes. "Serena, your father's death wasn't your fault." "No!" Serena recoiled as if she'd been shocked, yanking her hand free from William's grasp. "It was my
fault. If I hadn't called him, if I hadn't begged him to chome, he m ne wouldn't have died! He wouldn't have-It's my fault... I killed my father..." On the sidelines, both Giles and Gabrielle watched Serena break down, tears streaming down her face, and their expressions softened with sympathy.
"Mr. William..." Giles turned, noticing Penelope had disappeared.
om Realization dawned on his face, and NO he said urgently, "If Penelope brings this up in front of the judge, could have a serious impact on the case."
Gabrielle, clearly anxious, nudged Giles sharply in the arm. "Can't you do something? We absolutely can't let those antiques go to Penelope. If she gets them, they'll end up with Bella. Why should Mr. Sullivan provide for Bella, even after he's gone?"
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