The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 262

"But there's something I need to make clear."

Theodore paused. "What is it?"

Penelope bit her lower lip. "This isn't a one-sided confession."

"..."

"Because I love you, too."

Theodore cupped her face, urging her to repeat herself.

"Theodore, I love you."

"Say it again."

"I love you."

"Again."

"A thousand times, a million times if you want. I love you, I love you, I love you..."

But she didn't get to say it many more times before he silenced her with a kiss, letting our words of love dissolve into the heat between us, igniting an even more fervent flame. We burned for each other, demanding everything the other had to give.

Penelope didn't know when she was carried to the bed. She simply let go, surrendering completely to the man she loved with a madness that matched his own, letting him possess and consume her.

But there was still a line they hadn't crossed. At the peak of her desire, his reason made him stop.

She looked at him, her eyes smoldering.

He looked back, his control crumbling.

"Darling..." she whimpered.

"I know you're scared. I won't..."

"No." Penelope wrapped her arms around him, pressing her open body flush against his. She whispered in his ear, "Just for tonight, please?"

Theodore's Adam's apple bobbed. He looked down at the woman in his arms, who was more than ready.

His reason finally shattered. He let himself go, claiming her completely.

The downpour lasted until dawn, then stopped as abruptly as it had begun. The morning sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the earth. The sky was clear of haze, the mountains were no longer shrouded in shadow, and everything was new again.

Early birds chirped happily.

When Penelope woke, she felt like her entire body had fallen apart. The culprit was right beside her, propped up on his elbow, watching her.

They lingered in bed for a while before finally getting up. Just as they finished getting dressed, there was a loud banging on the door.

Theodore went to open it. The moment the door cracked open, someone lunged at him.

"Theodore, you scared the hell out of me!"

The person who had thrown himself into Theodore's arms was none other than Michael.

He looked completely wrecked, his hair a mess and his face flushed with an unnatural red.

Theodore shoved him away in disgust. "Get off me! Don't be gross."

"You have no idea! I really thought something had happened to you. I... I actually cried last night."

"Just let go of me!"

"As your friend, I was genuinely worried. But you come back safe and don't even tell me? You spend the whole night with this woman. Let me tell you, when you were missing yesterday, she wasn't worried at all! She was perfectly calm the entire time. She doesn't have any feelings for you! Don't marry a woman like that—she's heartless!"

As he spoke, Michael shot a defiant glare at Penelope.

"See? I've exposed her, and she can't even say a word to defend herself. Doesn't that just prove she's guilty?"

...