Free Web NovelChapter 9: Heart to Heart
SOPHIA
"Unlike some people," sneered Penelope. "I don’t want to get fat." She smiled, the corners of her lips curved like scythes. She looked me up and down as if to say: You’re already plump, how dare you eat, cow.
First, I was not plump.
Second, oh, I dared to eat, you soft-brained dunderhead.
Third, you’re just jealous I can enjoy all the tarts I want.
"A fat person can lose weight," I said. "But a dumb person will never gain intellect."
Her brows dipped. "What do you mean?"
I opened my mouth to tell her exactly what I meant (you’re stupid, Penelope), but Jace pointed a finger at me, and thundered, "Enough!"
Penelope’s look of triumphant was familiar. I’d seen that little arrogant smirk too many times during my first life. Argh! She was such a green tea.
And here we go. She continued to perform her usual I-am-so-sweet-and-Sophia-is-a-meanie routine. Jace fell for this crap every. single. time.
He was blind to her faults. He never blamed her. I was the problem. I can’t believe that, in the name of unrequited love, I put up with such terrible people.
What was it about Jace that made me humble myself constantly? At this moment, I could think of no amazing quality that merited my previous devotion.
In this life, I wouldn’t explain, apologize, placate, or accept humiliation. Not from Penelope. Not from Jace. Not from anyone.
Dying made me realize how much of my suffering was my own choice. Every time I compromised myself in the name of love and peaceful living, I gave away pieces of my dignity.
Did I have to put up with Penelope Shire?
No.
Did I have to stay in a marriage with a man who didn’t love me?
No.
Did I have to smile through my pain every damned day in the hopes that someone, somewhere might find me worthy of kindness?
Hell, no.
Pouting, Penelope grabbed the edge of Jace’s jacket and tugged the fabric. "Brother Jace, why is she so mean to me?"
I rolled my eyes. "Is telling the truth being mean? I didn’t realize."
Jace looked at her, then at me. Was he actually considering which woman deserved his support? I knew I wouldn’t be the winner in that internal debate. He might be horny enough to sleep with me, but at the end of day, he didn’t really want me.
Penelope noticed his silence and her expression turned even uglier. "The hunt will begin soon, Jace. I’ll be your partner, right? Like last year. We won together, after all."
She glanced at me, still smirking. She wanted to remind me that Jace would always choose her.
Last year, I hadn’t attended the Hunter’s Ball because I was too busy planning the perfect wedding. What an idiotic waste of time. I should’ve gone to the ball and picked a better husband.
"Jaaaaaace," whined Penelope.
Jace cleared his throat. "Um ... Penny. I really should pick Sophia. She’s my wife."
Penelope stared at him, obviously nonplussed by his response. He hadn’t picked me for anything. Not ever. She sighed dramatically. "Oh. Yes. Of course. I suppose Sophia is more important. I’m just a nobody. I probably shouldn’t go at all. I was just so excited to see you. And ... well, I’m sorry, Jace. I truly am. I don’t mean to be a burden."
Tears shone in her eyes.
"Impressive." I clapped loudly. "You’re the best green tea I’ve ever seen. Well done, Penelope."
"You---!" She stamped her foot. Then she turned those tear-filled eyes to Jace. "I haven’t done anything wrong and she’s still insulting me!"
"Oh put a sock in it, drama queen." I turned to my husband. "Jace, I don’t care if you search for her or not. Don’t waste your time trying to find me. If you do, I’ll forfeit."
"Are you serious? You’d rather quit than play the game with me, your husband."
"Correct."
He opened his mouth, but I shook my head. I didn’t want to argue. What was the point?
"I’m leaving, okay?" I made shooing gestures toward them. "Continue with your affair."
"Sophia, we’re not having an affair," protested Jace. He moved toward me, his hand reaching out, but Penelope hung on to his arm and pulled him back.
And, as usual, he let her do it.
He should be thrilled I wasn’t clinging to him anymore. He’d told me to my face how much I annoyed him. He never answered my letters. He found excuse after excuse why he couldn’t come home.
He gave his time, attention, and heart to Penelope.
"Don’t forget about the divorce," I reminded him. "We can sign the papers and petition the magistrate tomorrow."
Penelope’s face lit up. "You’re getting a divorce?" She couldn’t keep the pure joy out of her voice.
Jace glared at her, and she stopped smiling, dropping her head to avoid his gaze.
"You can forget about that right now, Sophia. I will never divorce you."
"Oh? We’ll see about that."
I left, kindly shutting the parlor door behind me.
I turned and smacked into a wall of muscled flesh. Two hands grabbed me by the forearms, holding me steady. "Are you all right?"
I looked up into the handsome face of Fabian Velle. If you were to search for rogue in the dictionary, his face would be next to the word as a prime example. He was well known for keeping mistresses and chasing beauties. As the heir apparent to the Velles, he probably should’ve been better behaved.
But he didn’t take anything seriously. Not women. Not his wealth. Not himself.
I suppose there was a certain charm in that kind of attitude. freёwebnovel.com
"Mrs. Willowmarch," he said. He let go, stepped back, and performed a slight bow. "Or should I address you as Miss Pagemoore?"
"Miss Pagemoore," I said. "I do not wish to be Mrs. Willowmarch. Let Penelope Shire have that honor."
His gaze skittered toward the parlor door, and understanding lit his gaze. "Ah. I see." He smiled. "You look quite lovely, Miss Pagemoore. Far better than most ladies I’ve met this evening."
"I bet you don’t remember any of their names, do you?"
He grinned, unrepentent. "Not a one."
"You’re a glutton, Mr. Velle."
"Very much so. I’m greedy for all of life’s pleasures."
"What a decadent way to live."
"You should try it, Miss Pagemoore." His smile widened. "I believe such a lifestyle would suit you well."
"I’ll put that on my to-do list."
Behind me, the knob to the parlor door rattled. "If you’ll excuse me, I need to run away now."
He moved aside and gestured for me to pass. I heard the squeal of the door’s hinges as it started to open.
I broke into a run, Mr. Velle’s laughter chasing me all the way.
