03 take care of my kitten

Penelope's POV:

The moment those words leave the sexy man's lips, Charles gets to his feet and drags me up with him.

“Mom, dad, I'm sorry but we'll be leaving now.”

“You only just got here! You haven't even had dessert!” Mrs Halstead protests, worry lacing her tone. Worry for her golden son and not me, obviously.

Charles shoots a look at the man, one filled with pure loathing. “Another time.”

Mr Halstead is awfully quiet. He sips his wine, his eyes focused on the man. Those eyes are chilly, and it's not hard to guess what he's thinking.

“You must be my sister-in-law,” the man stops me, the corners of his lips titled up. He strokes the kitten, his eyes burning into mine. His gaze feels like a fire consuming me slowly.

My heart catches in my throat, and my face heats up. I try to speak and the words won't come out, so I nod.

“Hold onto this beauty for me. Her name has Leila, and I'll be back for her soon.” He hands the kitten over to me. She's a tiny thing. It's the first time I'm holding a kitten and I don't know what to do.

“Don't you fucking talk to her,” Charles snaps. He grabs my arm and yanks me away. “Stay the fuck away from my wife.”

"I didn't get your name," he says, his eyes raking over my face and resting on my lips.

I try to reply. I really do. But he's staring at my mouth so intently that I can't even breathe.

"Fuck off." Charles snaps.

The man doesn't reply, but the look in his eyes turn dark. He meets my eyes, and only then can I inhale. “Take care of my kitten,” he says to me, completely ignoring Charles.

If there's anything Charles hates, it's being ignored. He doesn't listen to my protests as he drags me all the way out of his parents out and into the car.

“Who was that man?” I ask as he starts the engine. The car takes off with such force that it shoots me back into my seat. “Charles!”

“He's no one!” His voice books off in the space between us.

The kitten meows and snuggles into my chest, I feel her tiny claws digging into my skin. The urge to protect her washes over me and I hold my arms protectively over her.

“He didn't seem like no one,”

Charles scoffs. “He's my brother. Happy now?”

His knuckles are tight from holding the steering too tight. His eyes are darker too, and his jaw clenched. I avert my eyes to the window and don't reply.

A brother. He never told me about this, not in the six years we've known each other.

I didn't like this.

Back home, Charles snatches the kitten from me before we can even cross the door.

He holds It like it's a filthy thing, and It fights against him, it's tiny body trembling, claws flying everywhere. “I’m getting rid of this.”

“You will do no such thing!” I don't know where the boldness comes from, but it rushes into me like a flood of heat. “it's just a kitten, Charles. It's done absolutely nothing to you!”

His brows knit together and he scoffs. “Why did you take it? Huh?! What happened to saying no?!”

I blink at him. “what?”

He glances at it and scoffs. “Do you know him from somewhere? Have you met him before?”

“What are you—”

“Don't fucking lie to me. I saw the way you looked at him, that's not a first time look. Do you know my brother?”

“Did you ever mention him to me? Until thirty minutes ago I didn't even know you had a brother.” I spit, anger brewing in my heart. “Don't you dare try to spin this on me because of a fucking kitten!”

His tongue pushes out his cheek and for a few seconds he glowers at me. My heart skips and I clench my fists. In the four years I've been married to Charles, he's never, ever been angry at me.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared.

He tosses the kitten at me. I scramble to catch it, nearly tripping over my own feet. It's cries twist my heart and I shoot a glare at Charles.

The doorbell interrupt the tense air between us. Charles leaves to get it while I sink into the couch, whispering soothing words to the kitten.

“Penny! Oh my! You got a kitten?!” Calypso waltz into the living room, all smiles and glam. She gasps, her eyes widening. “It's soooo cute! What did you name her? Can I pet her?”

“No.”

She blinks, jerking back as if I splashed hot water on her. She laughs uneasily and turns to Charles. “Mr Halstead, what did you do to your wife? She's in an awful mood this evening.”

Charles sighs. “it's nothing.”

I stare at the both of them. My anger directs to them. I want to slap them both. Or kick them. Or both. The nerves Calypso has. Fucking my husband and showing up here like it's nothing. And Charles. Oh my goodness. He should have gone to Hollywood. They're talking about my mood, like I'm not even there.

“It's late, why are you here?” I ask. Calypso turns to me and smiles.

I notice that she's glowing, her cheeks are rosy and her eyes are shiny. She has this look when something good happened to her. I realize how many times I've seen it on her in the past, no doubt after each escapade with Charles.

“Oh! I came here to break the news to you two in person, as you're my bestest friends ever!”

“What news?”

She pauses, probably for dramatic effect, but all it does is piss me off further. I stroke the kitten gently, reminding myself to keep calm.

“I'm getting married next week!” She cheers, throwing confetti into the air.

I glance at Charles. And I hear my heart shatter.

He looks devastated. All the anger is gone replaced with shock, his jaw drops, and he inhales sharply.

“Married?” He asks with a chuckle. “when did this happen? You never told me…us about it.”

“I am telling you now,” Calypso says with a charming smile, the kind that can disarm anyone.

And it works. The tips of his ears turn red and he covers his face, clearing his throat loudly. “This is all so sudden,”

She plops on the couch beside me and let's out a content sigh. “I'm so happy, really. And I couldn't wait to tell you two. Penny, you're going to be my maid of honour. You'll do it for me, right?”

I would do anything for her. But right now, I can't find that warmth I used to have for her. She was once the apple of my eye. I loved her, more than anything. I made sure she never got the brunt of our parents harsh treatments.

And this is how she treats me.

“Congratulations, Cal,” I say, my voice tight. “Who is this lucky guy?”

Ha! Lucky is the furthest thing he'll be. He has no idea he's marrying a snake.

“A week is too soon, Calypso. Are you sure about this?” Charles asks.

Oh god. Could he be any more obvious?

I grit my teeth so hard I fear it'll shatter. If I didn't know better I'd think he was so concerned about my sister.

“Yes. He's perfect, really. And you know I want to have my own love story. Like you and Penny.”

I gag. Both of them should have gone to Hollywood.

“Who is he?” I ask again.

“You may not like this but…he's a Thalorian. His name is Angelo, and he's my dream come true.”

“Absolutely not! Not those filthy Thalorians! You can't marry him! That family is shrouded in secrets and blood!” Charles exploded with such passion that I'm stunned.

Calypso flips her hair over her shoulder and turns to me. “What's the matter, penny? You don't look happy for me.”

I look at my husband, taking in his expression caught between anger and betrayal. Then I smirk. “Oh no, I'm happy. I'm so fucking happy for you, Cal.”

“Penelope!” Charles looks at me like I'm the one betraying him. All I can do is shrug, my heart singing for joy.

Turns out we've both been played, my dear husband.