The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 109

Penelope’s head was spinning. A giant gold brick was one thing, but was she strong enough to carry it?

“You… you should keep it for yourself, or give it to your son. I couldn’t possibly accept it.”

The old man clicked his tongue. “Is that all the courage you have?”

“My courage has its limits, especially when it comes to taking things that don’t belong to me. I have to wonder if my life is worth the risk.”

“Alright, we’ll talk about this later. For now, eat.”

Penelope had already eaten several pieces. She noticed Theodore was still sitting with a dark expression, his utensils untouched. She quickly put two pieces of chicken on his plate.

“He cooked his beloved Coco for you. The least you could do is crack a smile, or at least have a bite.”

Theodore shot her a glare and pushed his plate away.

Seriously? He’s that stubborn?

Penelope was about to reason with him again when Mr. Johnson let out a sudden sob.

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have tricked him into coming here just to eat with me. I’m just… I’m so lonely. Lately, I can’t sleep, I have no appetite… I feel like there’s no point in living anymore.”

It was just one meal with his father! Was it that difficult?

Penelope felt a surge of anger. She picked up the plate Theodore had rejected, speared a piece of chicken with a fork, and tried to feed it to him.

“Get away from me.”

“You have to eat it. If you don’t, I… I won’t marry you!”

Theodore’s eyes narrowed. “You think that’s a threat?”

It wasn’t.

An idea flashed in her mind. “Then I’ll marry your father!”

Sputter!

Exhausted after two weeks of nonstop work, Penelope gave in and went into his room. She took a shower and found a clean white button-down shirt in the closet. The wardrobe was full of new clothes Mr. Johnson had bought for Theodore, none of which had ever been worn.

She put on the shirt and lay down on the bed, intending to wait for Theodore to return. But she fell asleep within minutes.

She was drifting in a hazy sleep when she heard the door open.

“Mmm, you’re back?” she mumbled, her eyes half-open.

“Yeah.”

He went straight to the bathroom, and it sounded like he was in there for a very long time.

Just as she was sinking back into a deep sleep, a loud crash jolted her awake. She opened her eyes to see Theodore stumbling out of the bathroom and bumping into a cabinet.

“Are you drunk?”

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