Chapter 1068 Like Strangers, No Longer Friends
Brandon seemed to have a sudden epiphany, as if he had transformed from a scheming, desperate man into someone with a conscience.
How could he have any conscience!
Penelope was puzzled too and turned to look at Kelvin.
The living room was so quiet that even if she spoke softly to Kelvin, Brandon would still hear.
So... they could only communicate with their eyes.
But Kelvin was a man who never showed his emotions, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
Penelope wanted to say something but stopped herself, instead looking anxiously towards the study, hoping Thessaly would come out soon.
She waited and waited, and couldn't help but glance at Brandon several times.
These two men, both incredibly wise and shrewd, could sit still, but Penelope couldn't.
"Penelope," Brandon said with a friendly smile, "if nothing unexpected happens, this should be the last time we sit together and have a calm conversation."
She nodded. "Yeah. After this..."
There would be no after.
She and Brandon would be like strangers.
Even if they ran into each other on the street one day, she would avoid him, treating him like a stranger.
"You must hate me," Brandon said. "I want to hear the truth."
Penelope bit her lip, her fingers unconsciously scratching her knee.
This was indeed a rare chance to speak her mind, and if she missed it, she wouldn't get another.
Towards Brandon, actually... she felt more regret than hatred.
He had been such a good person, like an older brother, supporting her all the way to where she was today. During her most arduous and vulnerable moments, he had always reached out to her.
But this same person had pushed her hard when she was at her happiest and most stable, trying to push her off a cliff!
A bottomless, dark, and cold cliff!
Fortunately, Kelvin had held her hand tightly, not letting her fall, not letting her give up on herself! He had pulled her back to solid ground, back into the sunlight!
Penelope took a deep breath. "I don't hate you. Because we never actually crossed that line. Although I know it wasn't because you didn't want to, but because you didn't have the time or opportunity, still... we remained innocent."
"Maybe it was fate, or maybe I was just lucky not to be defiled by you. But Brandon, I won't forgive you, and I can't forgive you."
He looked at her, his gaze unwavering. "If... I had really taken your body, you would hate me."
"Yes. I would have to hate you."
Brandon smiled. "Then should I be grateful?"
"But not hating you doesn't mean anything," Penelope said. "Brandon, I don't know why you've suddenly decided to step back today, to hand over the photos and reconcile. But by doing this, it makes me feel like you're still the same person you used to be, that you haven't changed."
"If I take responsibility for everything and turn over a new leaf, would you go back to how things were with me..."
Before Brandon could finish, Penelope shook her head. "There's no going back."
His eyes darkened.
"Brandon, if you're sincerely here to apologize and reconcile, then I'll tell you honestly how I plan to handle our relationship."
He didn't speak, but leaned forward, indicating he was willing to listen.
"We'll be like strangers, no longer friends, not even acquaintances."
"No matter where we meet again, I won't acknowledge you. In fact, where you are, I won't be, and where I am, you can't appear."
"If I forgave you and pretended nothing happened, where would that leave Kelvin? He's my husband, and he's been more than patient and understanding with me. I was the victim, but so was he. During those dark days, he was even more heartbroken than I was."
"I've already said, gratitude is gratitude, and resentment is resentment. You helped me a lot before, and I remember that. But I also remember you drugging me and trying to break up Kelvin and me. Gratitude and resentment cancel each other out."
Brandon repeated softly, "Gratitude and resentment cancel each other out?"
"Yes, between you and me, there's no more affection, and no more debt."
Penelope wouldn't pursue Brandon's wrongdoings further, nor would she, like Thessaly, sue him or seek revenge.
This was it.
It ended here.
His past kindness and his current malice canceled each other out.
Merits and faults offset each other.
"I understand..." Brandon nodded. "All the good I've done for you over the years, all the help I've given, it's all gone in just a month or two."
"Brandon, this was your choice. We could have been lifelong friends."
"Penelope, you're wrong. We were supposed to be engaged."
Brandon always brought up what happened twenty years ago.
In his heart, that was the time he couldn't let go of.
He had waited so many years, hoped for so long, and what did he get in the end?
Nothing.
Penelope was married with children.
Isabella, the substitute... was gone.
"I know, so I left you your dignity," Penelope replied. "If Sam and Lucy ask about you, I won't tell them the bad things you did. And if Mom and Dad ask, I won't say anything either."
This was the last bit of dignity she left for Brandon.
Penelope thought she had done enough.
Otherwise... she could have ruined Brandon's reputation, making it impossible for him to stay in LA!
Brandon asked, "You're leaving me with that much dignity, Penelope. Should I thank you?"
She felt a pang in her heart and turned her head away, not responding.
Kelvin remained silent, just listening to their conversation.
He respected Penelope's way of handling things.
Although... he wished he could drive Brandon out of LA, never to return!
"Alright, I understand," Brandon said to no one in particular, "from now on, Penelope, we're strangers."
After everything he had done, the good and the bad, helping her and hurting her, in the end... they were strangers.
Brandon found it laughable.
Was his love really worth so little?
"I still don't understand, Penelope," Brandon said. "You never gave me a chance, a fair chance to compete with Kelvin. In your heart, if you had considered both of us, I don't believe... I would have lost!"
"But from beginning to end, your heart was only for Kelvin. Your scales always tipped in his favor. You always loved him! Whether in LA or those years in the small town! You only loved Kelvin!"
"Even though you never said it, even though you never mentioned him, I could feel it. You were thinking about him... day and night!"
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