The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 53

“On the way here, Zebulon told you about the KINY Group project, didn’t he?” Mr. Sullivan began.

“You mean the red underwear?”

Mr. Sullivan’s eyes widened. “What red underwear? I’m talking about—”

“Has he figured out an explanation yet?”

Furious at being interrupted twice, Mr. Sullivan let out a sharp sigh. But he could see from Penelope’s expression that she wouldn’t let it go. If he wanted her help, he had to address the issue. The mere thought of that underwear, and of them being stewed in chicken soup, made him feel nauseous. And remembering they belonged to Rebecca, he felt a wave of disgust just looking at her.

Rebecca felt his momentary revulsion and clenched her fists.

“Penelope, now is not the time for this. The company is in serious trouble—”

“Then when is the right time?”

“Penelope, you’re taking this too far!” Zebulon cut in.

“You cheated on me, and I’m the one taking it too far?”

“I—I didn’t cheat!”

“Then explain it!”

“I…”

Zebulon couldn’t explain. If he wasn’t cheating, how did they end up in his pocket? He shot another glare at Rebecca before turning back to Penelope. “Penelope, you wanted a wedding, right? Fine. I’ll give you a wedding. Is that enough?”

“A wedding?” Penelope’s eyes narrowed. A public Sullivan wedding would announce to the world that she was Zebulon’s wife. But their marriage certificate was a fake. If anyone looked into it, Zebulon could be charged with bigamy. He wasn’t that stupid. Which meant that by offering her a wedding, he was planning to divorce Rebecca.

Rebecca clearly reached the same conclusion, because her face turned ashen.

“Of course I want a wedding, but…”

“Penelope, I’ll be honest,” Rebecca suddenly blurted out. “That was mine. Zebulon and I…”

“Shut up!” Zebulon shouted, his eyes flashing with fury.

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan were also stunned that Rebecca would admit it so openly.

Rebecca’s face grew darker with every word. Penelope’s declaration of disbelief was more humiliating than any accusation, and the insults were vicious.

“Zebulon, are you telling me that red underwear belong to Rebecca?” Penelope asked, her voice laced with feigned innocence.

Zebulon’s expression was grim. “Of course not. I would never cheat on you with your best friend. If I did…”

“If you did, you’d be an animal, a hypocrite, a despicable lowlife!”

Penelope then turned to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, who both quickly looked away, not wanting to be drawn into the line of fire.

“And Mom and Dad have their reputations to think of. They would never let something like that happen, right?”

Mr. Sullivan looked like he might be sick. “I would never allow it.”

Mrs. Sullivan gritted her teeth. “Neither would I.”

Satisfied with their answers, Penelope turned back to Rebecca. “Rebecca, I know you only said that to help Zebulon and me reconcile, but I can’t let you take the fall for something you didn’t do.”

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