Five Times Too Many

Wren's expression was complicated as he voiced his confusion, "If Nicole is the only one you care about, why did you propose to Penelope, and even try and have children with her?"

Sam replied with mockery in his voice, "Well, Nicole needs to go study overseas, see? I have to deal with my physical needs somehow, don't I? Penelope was very innocent and naive back then, so it was easy enough to trick her into a secret marriage. I didn't want her to cause me any trouble, after all.

"As for the kids… I don't like using protection, and that woman's real intent on being a mother, so I just let it happen. I didn't plan on keeping them, anyway."

Wren's expression was sympathetic. "So you led her on for eight years without name or status, killed five of her unborn children, and now you're marrying someone else? Penelope loves you so much! Knowing this would…"

Impatiently, Sam cut him off, "Bah, enough of that. She's just a poor college student from the boonies, so she had her fill of the luxurious life. I'll get married to Nicole in three days, so make sure you're there, yeah?"

Seeing how insistent Sam was, Wren sighed. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you. I can't see anything good coming from this… Penelope's a good girl, so I hope you don't regret it."

"Hmph, as long as I can marry Nicole, I won't regret a thing! Save your nonsense for someone who cares."

Wren only shook his head helplessly, not saying more.

Meanwhile, I was drained of all the happiness in my heart, standing there dumbly as tears streamed down my face.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sam caught sight of me standing outside the door, face streaked with tears, and he was scared out of his mind.

Immediately, he rushed outside. "Penny, when did you get here? W-Why are you crying?"

His voice was tinged with a trace of panic.

I wiped the tears off my face and smiled. "It's… It's nothing, I just got a fake eyelash in my eyes. I'm terrible at makeup, haha…"

Sam let out a breath of relief and pulled me tightly into his arms. "It breaks my heart to see you cry! There's no need for makeup, alright? You're the most beautiful girl out there just as you are!

"Come on, let's go home."