The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 283

Penelope repeated her story over and over until she was exhausted. “My wedding is tomorrow,” she said finally, her voice strained. “Can I please call my fiancé?”

Theodore arrived shortly after, looking like he’d rushed straight through the night. The moment she saw him, tears streamed down her face, and she threw herself into his arms. He held her tight, his heart aching as he kissed her forehead.

“Don’t be afraid,” he murmured. “I’m here.”

The release process was surprisingly swift. Not long after, Penelope was free, her tears mostly spent. She immediately found a sturdy-looking stick, ready to march over to the Sullivans and give them a piece of her mind.

“Our wedding starts in four hours,” Theodore reminded her gently.

“Four hours?” Penelope nodded, her eyes blazing. “That’s enough time for me to teach them a lesson!”

Theodore chuckled, pulling her back into his arms and peppering her face with kisses. “We can’t be late for our own wedding.”

“But I can’t just let it go.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll make them understand what happens when they cross you.”

Fresh tears welled in her eyes. “I never did anything to wrong them. I thought of them as family, I treated them with sincerity, and they… they deceived me, framed me…”

“They’re not worth it.”

“They’re such horrible people!”

“And horrible people deserve to be dealt with harshly.”

“I want to beat them until they’re on their knees, begging for mercy!”

“You don’t have to lift a finger. I’ll handle it.”

“I want them to regret everything they’ve ever done to me!”

“Alright. They’ll repent before you.”

“I want to slap each of them. No, ten times each!”

“As long as you don’t mind your hand getting sore.”

Penelope had been gritting her teeth in fury, but his comment made her let out an involuntary snort of laughter.

Penelope had asked Hannah to be her maid of honor, and she had been instrumental in arranging everything at the hotel. They went up to the sixth floor, which had been entirely booked for the occasion. The hallway was lined with crimson runners and festive decorations, creating a joyous atmosphere.

Natalie was pacing by the door, and her face flooded with relief when she saw them. “I had the stylist get the wedding dress ready. Let’s get you changed first!”

Penelope had only met Natalie once and didn't know her well, but Theodore had invited her to be a bridesmaid. She had taken leave from her film set to come and had been helping Hannah with all the preparations.

“Natalie, thank you,” Penelope said gratefully.

Natalie smiled. “A verbal ‘thank you’ won’t cut it. You owe me a few nice dinners after this!”

“You’ve got it.”

Wilma and Penelope’s colleagues from the Stone Group project department were also there, busy putting up decorations and inflating balloons under someone’s direction. Penelope didn’t have many family members on her side, so to avoid a sparse showing, Hannah and the others had invited their own families, instantly filling the space with warmth and excitement. Though Penelope didn’t know them, they all offered her a smile and a “Congratulations” as she passed.

While her makeup was being done, Hannah fed her half a glass of honey water.

“Try not to talk too much now. You’ll need your voice for your vows during the ceremony.”

“I’m afraid they’ll all laugh the second I open my mouth,” she rasped. The gravelly sound of her own voice was almost comical.