Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel 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.

Both William and Gabrielle looked on, their eyes filled with worry, but neither dared to approach.

“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.

Now, her mind was flooded with flashes of her father’s body beneath the wreckage, blood everywhere.

“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 come home, he 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. Realization dawned on his face, and he said urgently, “If Penelope brings this up in front of the judge, it 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?”