I barely made it to the hallway before the first sob tore from my throat.
The weight of my father's betrayal pressed against my ribs like a knife, each breath sharp and shallow. I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth, trying to stifle the sound, but the tears came anyway—hot, furious, and utterly useless.
Married to Vincent de Rosa.
The thought alone made my stomach heave.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I ignored it, but it buzzed again. And again. Reluctantly, I pulled it out, my sister's name flashing across the screen.
Elena: Pen. What the hell was that?
Elena: I just heard you yelling at Dad. His study door slammed so hard the portrait in the hall crooked.
I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling as I typed back.
Me: It's nothing.
The lie tasted bitter.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Elena: Bullshit. You never yell at Dad. What did he do?
I hesitated. If I told her, she'd panic. She'd try to fix it. And the last thing I wanted was Elena anywhere near Vincent de Rosa's radar.
But the truth was a storm inside me, and I was so damn tired of holding it in.
Me: He sold me.
The three dots froze. Then
Elena: ???
Before I could respond, my phone lit up with an incoming call. I swiped to answer, pressing it to my ear just as Elena's voice, sharp with alarm, cut through the silence.
"Penelope, what the hell do you mean he *sold you?"
I squeezed my eyes shut. "Exactly what it sounds like."
"No. No way." Her breath hitched. "Tell me you're being dramatic. Tell me this is one of your metaphors."
"I wish." My voice cracked. "Elena, he—he made a deal with Vincent. I'm his wife now."
Silence. Then a string of curses so creative even I was impressed.
"That's not happening," she hissed. "I don't care what Dad owes him. I don't care what kind of deal—"
"It's done," I whispered. "The papers are signed. The ring's on my finger."
Another pause. When she spoke again, her voice was eerily calm. "Where are you?"
"Leaving Dad's study."
"Stay there. I'm coming home."
"No." The word came out too fast. "You're at school. You stay there."
"Like hell "
"Elena." I forced steel into my voice. "If you come back, Vincent will notice. And if he notices you, he'll own you too."
The line went silent. I could practically hear her mind racing.
Then, softly: "We'll fix this".
I wish she were right