Chapter 16

No one had expected Penelope to spend the past month preparing for her wedding instead of recovering in the hospital. Gabriel was far more shaken than Patrick. He had grown up with Penelope, and the idea of her marrying someone else had never crossed his mind. To him, Penelope was his alone—past, present, and future. He couldn't accept the truth and was still desperately trying to deny it. "Mr. and Mrs. Carter, this has to be a joke," Gabriel said. "Penelope doesn't even know Alexander. How could she agree to marry him?" Robert replied, "We're not sure what she's thinking either. Maybe she saw how much you care for Sabrina and decided to let you two be together." The words hit Gabriel like a punch in the gut. In an instant, the color drained from his face. Beside him, Patrick's face bore an equally solemn look. A hint of challenge crossed his eyes as he looked at Gabriel. As both men wrestled with their thoughts, Sabrina returned. She was unaware of what had just happened. B