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I hadn’t been to our port in a long time.
I wasn’t sure why I’d suggested here either. The image of the ship had flooded my head, and I’d typed before I thought.
My father had preserved the first Cunningham vessel. He’d been proud of his heritage, of what those before us had built and the new heights he’d achieved. He’d wanted to leave the company in a better position for the next generation.
How disappointed he must be that neither of his children had taken an interest in the business.
I leaned my head back, taking in the massive ship. She sat in the water at the dock, as beautiful as I imagined she’d been when she was new. Even in the dark with only the lights of the port illuminating her, she was stunning.
My father had been so caring and generous. He’d always given me whatever I asked for, including the ships for the whaling expedition so long ago.
He hadn’t worried, at least in front of me, about what the cost of having a few ships out of commission meant in lost revenue.
Daddy had always put us first.
I hoped I’d done that for Penelope.
Heels clicked on the concrete, the sound far away at first.
My stomach tightened as the footsteps drew closer.
I hadn’t thought this through. I had no plan.
I didn’t even know why I wanted to see her, only that I needed answers that were solely hers to give.
“Sister dear.”
There was no affection in the term. Alma spat the words as if I were vile.
“I should’ve known my husband wouldn’t have asked me to meet here.” She glanced around with hatred. “You’re interfering again.”
Under one of the lights, she looked well put together as always, though there were deep set lines in her face. For what she’d been up to, I was surprised to see her this way.
She showed no signs of physical harm. I’d imagined the people Kane had holding her doing unspeakable things. Things I’d more than willingly ignored because of what she’d done.
“Would you have come if I’d asked?”
“Probably not,” she snarled. “I have to admit, JoJo, I never expected you to be the one to steal my husband.”
Objection rose up my throat. I hadn’t stolen anything. She was the thief. Not me.
“I’m not here to discuss him.” Somehow, I sounded far calmer than I felt.
It was an eerie calm. Like my emotions hadn’t caught up yet.
“Have you finally figured out I’m not playing? I want my inheritance.”
Money. Was that all that mattered to her?
My temper went from a simmer to boiling in a nanosecond.
“And hurting an innocent girl is what you’re willing to do to get it?” I’d never understand that. Never. “You carried her for nine months. How could you?”
“I should’ve aborted her.” She spoke so nonchalantly, like Penelope was nothing. “I wasn’t even sure it was Kane’s.”
What?
Not sure Penelope was Kane’s child? I must have misheard her.
