Rebirth: We Split Ways.. novel Chapter 2

Jason Carter's eyes turned cold as he scoffed.

"Penelope Brooks, do you really have to keep clinging to me like this?"

"Do you even realize how pathetic this is?"

Lauren quickly tugged at his sleeve.

"Honey, don't say that about her."

Then she grabbed the mic from the stage, putting on a sweet, condescending smile as she turned to Penelope.

"Penelope, Jason and I are married now, but you're still single?"

"Want me to have Jason introduce you to someone?"

She let out a fake little laugh before covering her mouth.

"But looking at how cheap your outfit is… I bet the whole thing costs less than fifty bucks."

"Maybe I should give you some of my old designer clothes."

"Clean yourself up a little, and who knows? A guy might actually look at you."

As soon as she said that, scattered laughter rippled through the crowd.

Of course, Penelope knew why Lauren had hired her to plan this wedding—just to humiliate her.

She was waiting for Penelope to break down in tears in front of everyone.

But Penelope was just here to get paid.

Feeling their eyes on her, Penelope simply tapped her watch and reminded Lauren.

"Miss Taylor, if we don't move on to the next part of the ceremony soon, we'll be over schedule."

More laughter.

"She's acting all calm now, but I bet she's dying inside."

"She had her chance, and she blew it."

Ignoring them, Penelope turned and walked into the staff lounge to grab a quick bite.

She'd been working all day—she was starving.

Just as she stuffed a piece of chicken into her mouth, she heard footsteps.

Looking up, she saw Jason standing behind her in his tailored suit.

Before she could even react, he pulled a black credit card from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"There's five grand on this.

Consider it compensation for wasting your youth on me."

Penelope didn't move.

His expression softened slightly, and he let out a small sigh.

"Penelope, I know you still can't forget me."

"You won't find a better man than me, but do you really need to crash my wedding over it?"

His words sent a ripple through the people around them.

They started whispering.

"Wow, this Penelope chick must be down bad."

"She looks unemployed—where does she even get the confidence to try and win him back?"

Penelope finally swallowed her food and said flatly, "You've got it all wrong—"

But Jason cut her off before she could finish.

"Just take it. This is the best I can do for you."

His voice grew more agitated.

"And honestly, you brought this on yourself."

"I really wanted to make things work, but you—"

He exhaled sharply, his frustration spilling over.

"Forget it. I've done my part. Just don't push your luck."

Penelope frowned slightly.

What the hell had she done to make Jason hate her this much?

In their past life, even after knowing he had… issues, Penelope never once belittled him.

She supported his dream of becoming an architect, took care of his sick mother, and even shouldered the blame when people asked why they didn't have kids—she told them it was her fault, not his.

The sound of sharp heels clicking against the floor made Penelope sigh internally—she already knew Lauren was heading her way.

She smiled sweetly, but her bridesmaid behind her had already pulled out a phone and started livestreaming.

"Penelope, Jason is only being nice to you for old times' sake."

"What, you don't want his money? You just want to steal him from me instead?"

The second she finished speaking, her bridesmaid chimed in, angling the phone to get Penelope's reaction.

"Penelope, do you even have a conscience?"

"Lauren trusted you to plan her wedding, and you turn around and try to ruin it?"

"How ungrateful can you be?"

Lauren took a step closer to Jason, putting on her best self-sacrificing act.

"Penelope, I know you love Jason, that you never got over him."

"And I don't like breaking up couples."

She hesitated dramatically, her voice trembling.

"If… if this is what you really want, I'll step aside. I'll give him back to you."

A single tear rolled down her cheek, then another.

Her friends gasped in admiration.

The guests started whispering.

"Wow, she dumped him and now she's trying to win him back? That's just pathetic."

"She probably ran out of money and wants to leech off Jason again."

Lauren sniffled.

"Guys, don't say that. Maybe she really does love him…"

Hearing that, Jason immediately pulled her into his arms.

"Lauren, don't be ridiculous."

"My heart belongs to you. Nothing she does will change that."