“I would appreciate if you give some respect to my mother. She doesn’t deserve to be disrespected after her death.” Her voice rose. No one had any right to soil her mother’s name.“What? Can’t bear to hear the truth?” He scoffed. “Truly, you are your mother’s daughter. Took right after her and became a mistress as well.” He mocked.Penelope was livid. Words were at the tip of her tongue. She owned a copy of his secret- one she was certain would ruin his political aspirations. If she blew the whistle right then, it wouldn’t be effective. So, she kept a tight least on her tongue, biting her lips in the process.“That is the reason I am here. I want no part of your pretence family. I only want two things from you.” She stated.Stanley perked up at her words. He had thought she came to claim her rights in the family which she easily could because she was older than his children. Besides, none of them had interest in running the company. Their interest in shopping, travelling and squanderi
Three years later...Penelope came out of her cottage house. She had taken residence on a countryside far away from civilization.The atmosphere was peaceful as she took a long drag of the air in, smiling in delight. Ever since her departure from San Francisco, her life had taken on a new different kind of piece.The neighbours were friendly to her. Although, she missed her friends greatly but prioritizing herself took precedence at that moment."Penny! What is on the menu tonight?!" An aged woman asked while passing by in front of her abode.Penelope smiled at the woman and responded, "Just wait and see."As soon as she got there, she started a restaurant. It was the sole restaurant in the vicinity. While the locals preferred cooking their own meals, they had attested to her cooking feeling like it was home meal. That was because she poured her heart into making delicious meals for the residents. She always made sure to put their requirements into consideration for young and old alik
"Can someone tell me what the hell is going on here? How do you two know each other?" She asked, looking between Liam and Killian.The two looked away from each other and grumbled their responses."He is my brother." Liam answered."Half brother." Killian corrected.What?Penelope was stupefied by their responses. When she had first met Liam and he bore an uncanny resemblance to Killian, she had simply meant it as a compliment because of his looks. She had no idea they would be related, ever in this world. Maybe the next life.But how coincidental was that? Seeds of suspicion would have been planted deeply in the pit of her heart if she hadn't met Liam there and not the other way round."Uhm... That is quite the boatload of information to drop on me. I'll just go to the restaurant and open up for tonight." She muttered under her breath, suddenly feeling exhausted when her day had just simply begun.She left the men in her house and went through the backdoor to her restaurant. It was mo
"Because I want to make things right with you and your mother. I hurt her some years ago. Note that I didn't abandon you. She took you away and I don't blame her for doing so." Killian explained."We know the last bit. She told us." Fran slipped in."Oh..." Killian said, surprised."Yes. We were just wondering why it took you this long to come for us." Max spoke, sounding a little bit hurt.He crouched down to their heights and raised Max' chin up. "I am sorry it took me this long to come for you both. I owe you for a lifetime. Please, forgive me." He spoke softly to them. Fran sniffed, holding in her tears."Can we hug you?" Fran asked timidly shy.He gave a nod and the two jumped into his arms, wrapping their tiny arms around his neck. He welcomed their embrace and held onto them tightly, relishing in the warmth that spread to his heart.A comfortable silence silence ensued amidst them for a while. A lone tear rolled down Killian's cheeks. If only he hadn't hidden the truth from her
They walked back into the restaurant. Liam was seen taking the customer's orders. "What is your relationship with my brother?" Penelope heard behind her. Killian s front was plastered against her back. She could feel a stir on her butt. Thankfully, the kids had run off somewhere. Or it would be an inappropriate scene for them to witness. "Killian!" She scolded subtly. "I expected an answer." He further pressed his front into her backside, not minding that they were in public."Nothing! He was the first friend I made here." She quickly answered. Killian reluctantly backed away from her."Good. For his sake, it must remain that way." The warning that laced his tone was evident. Killian didn't come down all the way there to play second fiddle to any man, not even his own brother. "Daddy!" The customers looked around, wondering who the little troublemakers were calling. It was foreign to him but he traced where the little voices came from. Max and Fran beckoned on him. "We want to show
Penelope sat outside on the porch in the evening, her gaze focused on the activities ahead of her with a smile plastered on her face as the children played with their father.It was what the kids had missed… Well, she denied them of them when she made the decision to leave three years ago. It was the decision she thought to be best at that moment. But things became difficult to handle all alone.Two weeks had passed since Killian found them. She still had no idea how it happened. But a part of her was glad that it did. Many times, couples would walk into her restaurant, sometimes with their children. It made her desire a complete family.After he left for some days, telling her he had some things to do, he came back with a suitcase of clothes and necessities. Whatever he didn’t pack along or left out, he could easily buy- Those were his words.Killian had bonded greatly with the kids, just as they did with their father likewise. It seemed like he was trying really hard to make up the
She looked down at their joined hands and looked back up at Killian. “One step at a time, remember?” She spoke and pulled her hand out of his. “The children are far more important right now.” She added and stood up from the couch. “Goodnight, Killian.” She whispered the last part.“Goodnight, Penelope.” He spoke in a low voice, feeling dejected at her rejection. Although, he half expected it but it didn’t lessen the ache he felt in his heart. He grabbed the comforter nearby and used it to cover himself after taking minimal clothing pieces off. That had been his bed for the past few days.The thought made him chuckle. How could a billionaire squeeze his length into a couch for days? Ms. Flores would have aneurysms if she ever saw him in that uncomfortable position. His bed was much more comfortable than the hard couch. He wondered why Penelope didn’t buy a more comfortable one when she easily could.Think of this as a means to an end, he tried to comfort himself internally.Just when h
“Stay in here and don’t leave the car, Penny.” John warned sternly, debating on whether he should turn back home because of the danger he might be putting his daughter in. Evelyn would have his head if she found out about it.She had warned him against it but didn’t listen to her. How could he? The only opportunity he had to save his dying wife, not taking it would mean losing her to that bastard disease that was eating her up from the inside.All he wanted to do was take his wife’s pain away. The society shouldn’t fault a man for the means he takes.In quiet strides, he went into the building with his hands tucked inside both his pockets. Occasionally, he would look behind him, straining his neck to check the car to see if anyone was near it.After some minutes, gunshot was heard, startling Penelope where she sat. her heart raced as she looked around, wondering where her father was.The kite was in her hold when she poked her head out of the window, looking into the darkness that ove