"You remember what happened that summer, don't you?"
Judy's eyes narrowed. "Did you think Donald really wasn't home? Ha! Let me tell you the truth. He was right there, watching you from the second-floor window as I sent you away. He watched as you were thrown out, as you fell into the mud, and as you left, helpless and despairing. That's your father!"
"He is a complete and utter hypocrite!"
"Judy, shut up!" Donald roared at her.
But Judy just laughed maniacally. "And I was the fool. I saw how he treated Edith and her daughter, yet I was smug, thinking he would never be so heartless to us!"
"This is my karma. It's what I deserve, and I accept it!"
Penelope had heard enough. She pulled her arm from Donald's grasp and took a step back.
"Penelope, you don't believe me?"
Penelope gave a bitter smile. "Do you think I still can?"
"You're my only daughter. Just say the word, and I'll support your take over the Bishop Group..."
"Oh, right. He only wants you in the Bishop Group because he doesn't want to hand the family business over to his younger brother."
"Judy!" Donald's eyes flashed with fury. He spun around and slapped Judy across the face. "It seems I've been far too lenient with you, letting you run your mouth!"
With that, Donald pulled out his phone and called the police.
"Attempted murder of me and my father. Those two charges are enough to put you away for more than a decade!"
"Dad, don't!" Yvonne lunged forward, begging Donald. "Mom and I will leave right now!"
Donald flung Yvonne away. "I loved you so much! Why couldn't you be my real daughter? Why did you conspire with her to harm me?"
"Dad, I was wrong!"
Of course, Penelope wouldn't get the wrong idea. For one, Theodore was a man of principle. For another, he was a germaphobe, so he never messed around with other women.
"Is he asleep?" Penelope asked, seeing Theodore slumped on the sofa, head down, completely still.
"Yeah, passed out."
"You can go. I'll stay here and wait for him to wake up," Penelope said.
"You'll be okay on your own?"
"Of course."
Michael hesitated for a moment before nodding. He figured Theodore didn't need comforting right now, but if that comfort came from Penelope, he would surely welcome it.
"I've spoken to the manager here. They won't bother you," Michael said before he left.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself
Hello! This series has been requested a lot on Reddit, but we’re unable to post the link there ourselves. If you have a Reddit account, we would truly appreciate it if you could help us share the link to this novel to increase its readership. As a thank-you, we will increase the number of free chapters available each day. Thank you so much for your support!...