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.

After a while, his phone rang, and he opened his eyes. Seeing the number on the dashboard, he frowned.

"Who is this now?" he muttered, pressing the answer button.

"Hello, is this Mr. Atlas Bennet?" A woman’s voice came through, which was unfamiliar to him.

"Yes, who is this?"

"I’m calling from Green Valley Medical Center..."

Atlas’s breath caught as the nurse’s words blurred into the background. In no time, he was speeding toward the hospital, barely aware of how fast he was driving. He wasted no second and jumped out of the car the moment he arrived.

His steps slowed as he reached the end of the emergency ward, where a curtain was partially drawn around the bed. He could see Slater’s side profile, resting in an uneasy sleep.

"Hah..." Atlas exhaled, moving to sit beside Slater’s bed, his eyes falling on his brother’s wrist, which bore fresh scars underneath the bandage. Bitterness filled his gaze.

The hospital had called to inform him that Slater had been rushed there after a suicide attempt. Fortunately, a neighbor who had come by with hot soup had found him in time. Otherwise, Slater might not have survived.

"What were you thinking?" he whispered, taking Slater’s hand and squeezing it. "I’m so sorry, Slater."

Tears welled up in Atlas’s eyes, helplessness seeping deep into his bones.

This was Atlas’s daily life now.

Besides finishing Hugo’s funeral arrangements and dealing with the fall of Global Prime Logistics, he had to care for Slater. Since everything had spiraled out of control, Slater had barely been able to cope. Hugo’s death was too much for him to bear.

"I’m sorry," Atlas whispered, holding Slater’s hand with trembling fingers. "I’m so sorry, Slater."

He tried to muffle his cries, but Slater woke up anyway, his eyes fluttering open to see Atlas’s weary face beside him.

"First... Brother..."

"Huh?" Atlas quickly wiped his face with his sleeve. "Slater, you’re awake? How are you feeling? I’ll call the nurse—"

But Slater held onto his hand.

"First Brother," he whispered, tears slipping down his temple. "Did you see... Penny?"

"..."

"Is she... okay?"

Atlas hummed in affirmation, though inside, he thought, ’But she’s not sorry at all.’

Atlas took a shaky breath. "Slater, don’t think about Penny anymore. It’s just you and me now... and I’ll do my best to take care of you."

Slater didn’t respond. He simply looked away, but tears still slipped down the bridge of his nose.

Atlas could only watch his brother, thinking, ’Penny, look what you’ve done.’ Bitterness surged within him, blaming her for everything at that moment. ’I hope you’re really happy about ruining everyone’s life.’

Atlas blamed Penny for as long as he could remember. That was why...

Many months later, Atlas could only grovel at his sister’s gave, overwhelmed by a pang of guilt and regret that felt unbearable. Yet, no matter how much he sobbed, no matter how he begged for forgiveness, and no matter how loud he screamed, it was too late.

Eventually, he succumbed to that guilt... right after a kind soul — a complete stranger — proved his sister’s innocence.