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“Let’s make a break for it,” I whimper.
“Penelope,” a voice screeches from across the room, breaking into our perfect moment.Lizzy. Stepping back from Christian, I twine our fingers together and straighten my back.
Lizzy saunters across the room, her blond hair spilling in shiny waves down her body, just touching the top of her hips. She’s wearing a spectacular silver dress that hugs her figure and shows off her perfect body and porcelain skin. As always, she looks like royalty or, as our parents would say, a Royale. Amusement lights up her features as she gets nearer, and takes in my appearance.
“Little Sister,” she crows, stopping when she reaches us. She towers over me, almost a foot taller, even more given the sky-high stilettos she’s wearing. Shivering under her gaze, I feel like prey, and she is the predator.
“Hello, Lizzy. You look beautiful,” I remark dutifully.
“Wish I could say the same for you, Piggy Penny,” she whispers in my ear, as she bends down to give me a cold hug. Out loud she replies, “Why thank you. And who is your guest?”
She turns to Christian, appraising him, then stepping closer when she likes what she sees.
“Christian,” he responds, holding out his hand to her.
“Why hello there, cutie,” she purrs, sidling closer, running her hand down the lapels of his tuxedo. Devastation claws down my spine, anchoring itself in my heart. This is a game Lizzy likes to play, and I should have known better than to bring Christian here. Boys never even gave me a second glance when we were younger, because if they noticed me, she was always right there, making sure they knew there was a better option. A prettier option. She loves to steal anything that brings me joy. And why wouldn’t he want her? She’s perfect.
“Well, hello there, harpy. I’m Penny’s boyfriend and I would prefer it if you kept your hands to yourself,” Christian retorts, disgust lacing his tone. He steps back, bringing me with him. “It’s awfully rude to enter someone’s personal space like that.” He continues to chastise her, and my brain goes fuzzy.
Lizzy’s face turns purple with embarrassment, having never been denied or spoken to this way before. Her eyes dart to me and I can see the anger there, the promise of retribution.
But, just as she is about to lay into me to cover her embarrassment, our parents appear at her side.
“Hello, Penelope. Thank you for coming,” my mother says formally, sliding her arm around Lizzy’s waist. I don’t miss the fact that neither of them moves to embrace me. It’s always been them versus me, for as long as I can remember.
“Hello Mom, Dad. This is my boyfriend, Christian,” I introduce them. “Christian, my mother and father, Thomas and Patricia Royale.”
“Nice to meet you all,” he offers; hugging me against his muscular chest, wrapping his warmth and support around me, fortifying me.
My father glowers at us, while my mother takes in the news, before clearly dismissing it. Neither of them cares enough about me to bother learning about our relationship.
“Charming,” my mother scoffs, then continues. “We’ll need to borrow Penelope for some family photos, then she can return to you.”
Christian holds me tighter. Picking up on my family’s disdain.
“We can leave right now.” He whispers into my ear, but I shake my head; the need to please them is so ingrained into my being that I still don’t want to disappoint them.
“I’ll be right here. Hurry back to me,” he commands, kissing the top of my head before releasing me to follow my family.
Chapter Thirteen
Christian
Penelope lags behind her family, her shoulders hunched, while her mother speaks to her in a low voice, too quiet for me to make out.
Looking at them all together, I feel more certain than ever that they aren’t related. Guilt makes my skin itch, and I wonder if she will be relieved or upset once the DNA results come back. And how the hell will I tell her if she isn’t actually a Royale? Will she be happy? Or devastated? I wish Tucker would hurry and get some answers.
As she folds in on herself, my jaw clenches so hard that a sharp pain runs up to my temple and I’m surprised that I don’t break a damn tooth. Unable to resist, I stalk behind the Royale family, wanting to be close enough to snatch Penny away the second I think she might be upset. They begin to ascend a small stage, set in the center of the room. Watching, I see the moment that Penelope steps on the hem of her dress, stumbling on the steps.Her whole family looks back when she trips, but not a single one reaches out to help.
Patricia rolls her eyes while Lizzy lets out a hearty laugh as Penelope rights herself. My Little Bird continues to follow them up, but her face is blotchy with embarrassment and I can see her eyes shining with unshed tears.
While I attempt to get closer, a large group of photographers and journalists surround the famous family, halting my progress. Bright bulbs flash rapidly and my little bird flinches as they go off in her face. She tries to smile for the cameras, but it looks forced, the smile never reaching her eyes.
“Thank you all so much for being here to celebrate with us,” Thomas declares, pitching his voice over all the sound.
“I am so excited to receive this award with my beautiful wife and daughter Lizzy here by my side. Their love and support have been a big part of my success. Of course, my talent played a role,” he jokes. But a hush falls over the crowd as Penelope’s face whitens. He left her out, on purpose, just to embarrass her.
My heart thunders in my ears, wanting to jump up there and pull her away from her awful family. Pushing through the crowd, I try to get closer, stopping only momentarily to shoot off a text to the limo driver. My gut churns with the sense that this is going to get ugly and I want to be ready to leave.
