That's a new one.
"Wait, you're marrying him now?" Ashby roars, "You barely know the guy, Penny."
"First of all, I'm not marrying him yet, secondly I'm helping him get out of this mess that I created," she says calmly.
I try not to grin when she says that there is hope for both of us to become more.
"Penny, this isn't for you, you weren't made for things like this."
Penny looks at Ashby with her mouth ajar, I can tell by the look in her eyes that she's hurt.
Ashby does not seem to care at all.
"I can handle this Ashby, and as my friend, I thought you
"Oh no," I whisper, I look up at Henry and he's already looking at me with the same look of shock on his face."I know you didn't do it, baby, stay calm and I'll get you out of here, okay?" he says and kisses my forehead."Archie, Code Red, you know what to do," Henry says, Archie nods before turning around and walks out of the auditorium.Henry clears his throat before leaning forward closer to the microphone, "It seems as though someone has been spreading rumours about my girlfriend. Let me remind you that I am the King of Crawford, my father may have tolerated it but I certainly won't allow people to disrespect me and my kingdom by making unsubstantiated proof, understood?""But your highness –"Understood!" he says loudly.Mr Williams jumps and nods, "Yes, your royal highness.""Now, everybody leaves, we will continue this meeting at a later stage," he says and he sits back into his chair.I look over at him and I can feel his anger radiating off his body. His eyes are dark, his ja
"Mom, I know what dad is trying to do and I can't believe he would do this to me," I say frustratedly.'Honey, I'm sorry about your father, I really thought I had gotten through to him.' She replies."I know you did your best mom, it's not your fault. Have you heard from him?"'No dear, he's probably off on his escapades or whatever he gets up to.'My mother knew that my father has always been unfaithful and the likelihood of him having children out there is high but we haven't heard anything about that. My mother could never find it within her to leave him, after decades of marriage, I'd find it hard to leave too."You don't have to stay with him mom, you can leave him and Chris and I will look after you, you know, that right?"I hear her sniff, she's crying, 'I know Henry but I'm doing this for you,""You don't have to mom; I don't care about this stupid monarchy and I can look after you with or without the throne."'I have to go; we'll talk soon, okay?'I sigh, "Okay mom, I love yo
"We think you'll make a great addition to the team Miss Harding," Mrs McLeon says with a smile."Thank you, ma'am," I smile shyly.She gives me another warm smile and looks at her partners, "We would like you to start next week."I choked on my spit and I quickly gathered myself and spoke."Really? I mean, yes, yes of course,"Mrs McLeon and her partners laugh, "After reading through your application, looking at your portfolio we agreed that you are a smart, intelligent young woman with the potential to do great things here at Vanity Fair and we would love for you to be a part of us while you're on that journey.""I would love to join you and be a part of this amazing company. It would be an honour." I reply."Awesome, we will get in touch with you and send you everything you need for you to get started here and then next week you can come in and get an induction,"They stand up and I do the same and I shake hands with all of them."Thank you, for the opportunity.""Thank you for acce
"Henry, please calm down and hear me out," she begs, her voice trembling with desperation.The room feels suffocating, the air heavy with tension. Henry's eyes are ablaze with anger, his fists clenched at his sides. The revelation has hit him like a freight train, and he struggles to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions."No, no, mom, why didn't you say anything?" Henry's voice wavers, a mix of hurt and betrayal."I didn't know until it was too late," she sobs, her shoulders shaking. "I found out after you two had split up, I confronted your father, but he threatened me and warned me to keep my mouth shut or there will be consequences."The weight of her words hangs in the air, and an eerie silence follows. Henry's mind races, trying to process the magnitude of the secrets kept from him. He glances around the room, searching for answers that seem elusive.Oh my gosh.As the gravity of the situation sinks in, Henry moves to sit beside his mother, pulling her into a hug. Her body tre
Wow, just wow.The grandeur of the royal palace looms in the background, a stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions swirling within the walls. The opulence is merely a façade, concealing a family saga of betrayal, secrets, and heartbreak.This family cannot get any more complicated, a racist, cheating father, a victim of abuse mother, a so-called womanising son, and a pretty much non-existent younger brother. The air is thick with tension, and the weight of the revelations hangs heavily in the opulent chambers.The mere thought of Henry and Sonja together disgusts, a visceral reaction to the taboo nature of their past. The revelation of their intimate connection lingers like a bitter after-taste, threatening to induce nausea. Of course, they aren't together anymore, and he's with me, but nobody wants to ever find out that their lover slept with their half-sister."Penny?"The sound of Archie's voice pierces through the heavy atmosphere, int
What the fuck does she want?"Hey Penny," Sonja greets, before she can go any further, I stop her and push her out the door."You have some nerve showing up here Sonja,"She smirks at me, "Oh my dear Henry, I'm here to apologise to you.""Cut the act Sonja," I reply, not believing any of her bullshit, "You and I both know you're here to cause trouble.""You know me so well, Henry, reasons you and I belong together.""Fuck you," I spit, "You and my father are going to pay for everything that you did to Penny and me."She laughs, she has the audacity to laugh, "You are so cute when you're angry."There is a moment of darkness and I see nothing but darkness and when I finally come to, my hands are wrapped around her neck."You sick fucking whore, you think this is funny, I will fucking end you, even if it means getting a little blood on my hands,"I watch as she struggles to breathe, her fingernails scratching at my hands."Please," she chokes out.I tighten my grip around my neck, watch
NEXT MORNINGI head downstairs to the foyer to welcome my father."Is everything set, Jeffrey?""Yes sir, you can sit in the living room sir," he replies."Thank you, you are excused."I walk to the door; I open it and watch as my father's car comes down the driveway and parks close to the door. My father steps out and reaches out his hand for someone in the car, and when she comes into full view I am livid, Sonja, he has some nerve bringing her here.They walk up to the door and I politely greet them both, and they walk into the foyer, where I usher them into the living
"Baby, you need to get out of your room at some point?" Nana says.I sniff, "No."I don't think I can handle being outside my room right now, I don't want to face the world. The world probably knows by now what happened."Penelope, I will not ask you again," she says sternly.Dammit, Nana, can't a girl be depressed in peace.I get out of my bed and walks to the door, unlock it, and walk back to my bed.She opens the door and walks into my room and straight to the curtains, she pushes them open and they and my eyes burn from the light."Nana," I groan.