Chapter 5
Penelope’s POV
"Never mind."
Charlotte spoke up suddenly.
She wiped her tears and lifted her head from Nicholas's arms, still sniffling:
"You got here in time. I'm not hurt..."
She glanced at me in my wheelchair, then shrank back into Nicholas's embrace like a frightened fawn:
"But today really scared me... Penny doing this must be because she's emotionally unstable..."
She paused, her voice dropping to barely a whisper, yet every word crystal clear:
"Maybe... we should send her to a psychiatric facility? It might help her recovery..."
A psychiatric facility.
I stared at Charlotte, at that pitiful face.
What a brilliant move.
"That's..." Nicholas instinctively looked at me.
"Isn't that a bit..." Lysander started.
Charlotte's tears flowed faster:
"I knew it! In your hearts, it's always Penny!"
She spun around to leave. "Forget I said anything!"
"Charlotte!" Lysander caught her arm.
He glanced at Nicholas uncertainly. "Let's just try it. See if it helps."
Nicholas looked at my bloodless face for a long moment.
Finally, he nodded.
The car drove toward the outskirts of Norlan City.
I was admitted to a private psychiatric hospital.
Lysander crouched down, trying to meet my eyes. "Penny, it's just for a few days. Once you're feeling better, I'll come get you."
Nicholas held my hand, voice soft. "Everything will be okay. I promise."
I looked at them calmly.
Then I spoke.
"You might never see me again."
Lysander frowned. "Penny, what are you talking about?"
Nicholas shifted uneasily, but in the end, he just sighed. "Don't scare us like that... it's only a few days."
They turned and walked away.
They didn't look back.
I watched their figures disappear down the hallway, a bitter smile twisting my lips.
I'd barely been wheeled into my room when my phone buzzed.
The familiar unknown number.
I answered.
"Ms. Ashworth." A calm, professional voice. "We're coming to get you."
I was about to give my location—
"Our team is already en route. Please prepare for immediate extraction. There's a bomb in the building."
I froze.
"What?"
"Don't worry." His voice didn't waver. "Our people will get you out."
As soon as he finished, my door opened.
Two "orderlies" in white coats walked in.
"Ms. Ashworth, please come with us."
I didn't hesitate. I let them lift me from the wheelchair.
We left through the back entrance and got into a black SUV.
Meanwhile, Lysander and Nicholas had just stepped outside the front doors, heading for their car.
An explosion erupted behind them.
They spun around to see the entire building collapsing in flames.
"PENNY!!!"
Lysander sprinted toward the entrance. Nicholas was right behind him, face sheet-white.
They'd barely taken a few steps—
Another blast.
The building crumbled completely.
The shockwave threw them both to the ground.
Firefighters and rescue teams swarmed the scene.
Lysander and Nicholas stayed by the rubble all night.
The search continued for three days and three nights.
The result—
Nothing.
Except for a single necklace, found among the charred debris.
The birthday gift Lysander and Nicholas had given me twelve years ago...
