Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 743

Chapter 743: Guilt kills

[FLASHBACK]

"I did everything, Atlas. Everything. I worked and studied ten times harder than anyone else, all in hopes you’d like me. I enrolled in martial arts classes to have something in common with Hugo, and I even studied music and arts so I’d have something to talk about with Slater."

"So yes, I am jealous, because Nina didn’t have to do any of that for you all to like her!"

How could you say all of that?

Atlas looked at Penny through the glass, watching as her chapped lips curled into a sinister smile. Her eyes shone with tears, but she was smiling and even giggling.

He couldn’t recognize her.

Was this really the Penny he knew?

"You really are something. I knew it. I knew you were bad news the day you came into our house," Atlas breathed out, barely processing the cruel things she’d just uttered. "Well, at least now I understand."

No, he didn’t understand at all.

"Atlas..."

"I heard your execution date is set. I... don’t know what to say, Penelope. I just finished Hugo’s funeral arrangements, so... I’ll find you a decent resting place, but it won’t be with our parents or Hugo." Atlas let out a jagged breath, his head rocking slightly as if he wanted to say more.

There was so much more he wanted to say. After all, he had come here to console her, even though her actions had destroyed their family. Yet Penny kept denying what she had done now that her execution was near. And when he didn’t believe her, she finally revealed her true colors.

With a heavy heart, Atlas turned his back on her and never looked back.

He didn’t want to see her anymore.

And he was sure she didn’t want to see him either.

They had hurt each other enough.

As soon as Atlas got into his car, tears began streaming down his cheeks. He clenched his teeth, punching the steering wheel as her words replayed in his mind like a broken record.

"Penny..." he hissed, gripping the steering wheel before punching it again.

A mix of anger at himself, disappointment in Penny, and helplessness at his failure to protect his family filled his heart. Everything his father had worked so hard for was gone. His remaining brother had tried to end his own life, and Penny showed no remorse for her crimes.

But what hurt the most, what made him feel truly pathetic, was that even with Penny’s lack of remorse, he still felt helpless. He couldn’t help her. It tore him apart, trying to look after everyone while having no time to process his pain.

"If she was going to deny it, she should’ve done it from the start," he sobbed, resting his arms on the steering wheel and burying his face in them. "Why deny it now, when she knew there was nothing I could do, even if I wanted to?"

Did Atlas believe her? No.

He believed the initial confession. He thought Penny only recanted once she realized the gravity of her situation. Penny was smart, but too naive for her own good.

With all the evidence the authorities had gathered, pointing to Penny’s involvement, why would he question it?

"Damn it." Atlas pushed himself back from the steering wheel, leaning his head against the seat. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

This might be the only moment he’d have to take a breath.