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40. P E N E L O P E
As Archie helps me inside, the familiar warmth of home wraps around me, yet it feels hollow. The muted glow of the lamps casts soft light across the living room, where Meryl and Nana are seated, their conversations falling silent as I enter. Their faces shift from calm curiosity to shock and concern the moment they see me. It's as if the weight of what's happened seeps into the room, thickening the air.
Aunt Linda, her sharp eyes widening with worry, rushes towards me. "What happened?" she asks, her voice tight with alarm.
Archie stands beside me, his jaw clenched, an unspoken fury simmering beneath the surface. "Henry, he—" he begins but stops as if struggling to say the words.
Meryl closes her eyes, the gesture slow and resigned, as though she already knows what'
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The King's Queen 41. H E N R Y
The car ride back to the estate is thick with silence. Chris grips the steering wheel, knuckles white against the leather, and I sit slumped in the passenger seat, drowning in the weight of my thoughts. The pain sits heavy in my chest, gnawing at me, making it hard to breathe. Guilt twists my stomach into knots. I keep replaying the moment over and over—the look on Penny's face when she caught me, the betrayal in her eyes, the way her voice broke when she told me to leave. I thought I had escaped the kind of life that leads to moments like these. I thought she'd be the one to help me rewrite my story.But I ruined it. I ruined us.I stared out the window at the shadowy trees rushing by the road winding toward the one place I swore I'd never return to. Back then, leaving felt like breaking
The King's Queen 42. P E N E L O P E
The past two weeks had felt like an endless loop of heartache and frustration, as though I was living in a bad dream that refused to let me wake. Ever since the breakup with Henry made headlines, the world outside had become too overwhelming. I was suffocating beneath the weight of my own emotions and the relentless attention from reporters, journalists, and even strangers who were all eager to pry into the details of my private life. I stopped answering calls altogether, letting my phone buzz uselessly across the room as I buried myself beneath blankets and tried to block out the world.Henry had gone silent, too. There were no signs of him anywhere—no statements, no pictures splashed across the gossip sites, no sightings at any of his usual haunts. It was as if he had vanished into thin air, and a part of me wondered if he felt the same choking pressure I did, hiding away
The King's Queen 43. H E N R Y
"Henry, for God's sake, turn off that dreaded song! It's been two days!" Chris's voice boomed from outside my door, sounding more exasperated than usual.Careless Whisper had been playing on repeat for forty-eight hours straight, filling the room with its haunting saxophone melody. It was the only thing that made sense right now, the only sound that matched the broken rhythm of my heart. The rest of the world was a jarring cacophony I didn't want to hear."Don't make me call Mom," Chris threatened, his tone taking on that authoritative edge that always managed to get through to me.Shit. I reached for the remote and silenced the music.There was a moment of silence before Chris spoke again, his voice softer this tim
The King's Queen 44. H E N R Y
Two days later, I decided it was time to face the person I had hurt the most. I reached out to Penny, not knowing if she'd even want to hear from me. To my surprise, she agreed to meet. It felt like a small victory, though it came with the overwhelming weight of knowing that I had to face the consequences of my actions. I didn't expect her to take me back—how could I, after everything? But I needed her forgiveness. I needed to look her in the eye and admit my wrongs. Maybe, just maybe, we could find some sort of closure.We arranged to meet at a private location—an old park on the outskirts of town. It was one of those places with quiet trails winding through groves of oak trees, where the ground was carpeted in fallen leaves that crunched softly underfoot. The park had once been a favourite spot for us; we'd spent countless afternoons here, lying on the grass, watchin
The King's Queen THE KING'S QUEEN
Epilogue: Not All Love Stories Have Happy EndingsNot every love story is destined to end with a romantic reunion or a picture-perfect ending. Some love stories are lessons, shaping the people we become and teaching us to value ourselves. For Henry and Penny, the end of their relationship wasn't the end of their growth—it was the beginning. As they stepped away from each other, they carried with them the hard-earned understanding that true healing often requires letting go.Henry's struggle was not only about losing Penny, but also about facing the deeper wounds he had been carrying since childhood. Growing up, he witnessed his father's toxic behaviours—manipulation, control, and neglect—which shaped his understanding of relationships. Unconsciously, he adopted some of those same behaviours, which ultimately led to the breakdown of his relationship with Penny. His inability to prioritize her and listen to her cries for support reflect
The King's Queen 1. H E N R Y
"Come in, Godfrey." The room, adorned with classic furnishings and antique fixtures, takes on a subdued ambiance as the middle-aged man gracefully enters. His splendid hair, neatly gelled, exudes an air of meticulous grooming, adding to the pomp and circumstance that always surrounds him. "Your father is here to see you." I exhale audibly, a subtle roll of my eyes betraying my reluctance. "I'll be down in a moment." "Okay, sir," Godfrey acknowledges, his voice carrying an undertone of deference. He turns around, adding with formality, "Your highness." The room, draped in regal tapestries and bathed in the soft glow of ambient lighting, holds an air of restrained opulence. The scent of aged leather and polished mahogany furniture lingers as Godfrey makes his exit, leaving the room with a quiet sense of anticipation. I finish the remainder of my whiskey, its rich amber hue reflecting the subdued elegance of the surroundings. Slipping into a silk Gucci robe, I take a moment to relish
The King's Queen 2. P E N E L O P E
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The King's Queen 3. P E N E L O P E
1. HENRY"Penny, the boss wants to see you," Mara, the boss’s assistant, announces from the doorway, her presence casting a shadow over my desk.I nod, rising from my seat and straightening my blouse before making my way to the boss’s office. Stepping into the elevator, I feel a sense of apprehension creeping over me as it ascends to the top floor. The long passageway leading to Mr. Goodwill's office feels like a journey into the unknown, each step echoing with uncertainty.I knock on the door, and his voice beckons me inside. Mr. Goodwill's gaze sweeps over me as I approach his desk, sending a shiver down my spine. Though he's in his early thirties, his features lack the allure that his position of power seems to afford him."Take a seat," he gestures, his voice carrying a hint of underlying intent.I comply, settling into the chair across from him, my nerves on edge."Well, Penelope, I'm very impressed with your work lately. You've really helped boost the company's financials w
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