Monica's voice, tinged with an air of urgency, interrupted Penelope's musings. "I can't wait..."

A playful smirk played at the corner of Penelope's lips as she teased, "You've done it quickly?"

The tension in Monica's voice was audible as she replied, "No. Do you know what I found?"

Penelope leaned in closer to the phone, her curiosity fully engaged. "What is it?" she asked.

Monica's revelation hung in the air for a moment before she continued breathlessly, "You are married now. Do you know it..."

In that suspended moment, time seemed to stand still for Penelope. Her mind went blank, and her heart raced.

She... was rarely speechless.

****

At...