Do not make the assumption because her angel wings are black and her halo is bent and tarnished that her soul is not pure and beautiful.

PENELOPE

“Penny,” a soft voice called out, snapping me back to reality. I blinked and looked up to see my twin sister, Sophie, standing in front of me. Her sleek brown hair was pulled back into a flawless ponytail, and her blue eyes—so much like mine—gazed at me with warmth and love.

“I missed you so much, my baby,” she said, pulling me into a tight embrace. Despite being twins, she had always treated me like her little sister, or perhaps more like her child.

“Come sit with us,” she invited, her tone gentle and welcoming.

“No,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. The word hung in the air, harsh and abrupt. Shit! That was so rude.

“I mean, I’ll just change my clothes first, and then I’ll come downstairs,” I added quickly, trying to soften the blow of my initial response.

“Okay, fine. Go freshen up,” Mom chimed in with a smile. I returned her smile, though it felt more like a grimace, and turned to head upstairs.

When I entered my room, I was struck by how neat and orderly everything was. It was as if time had stood still since I left. The maids must have cleaned it regularly, maintaining it just as I had left it. The queen-sized bed was perfectly made in the center of the room, a small sofa set rested by the wall, and the balcony doors were open, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.

I moved towards my walk-in closet, my steps slowing as I approached the safe tucked away in the corner. With a deep breath, I unlocked it and pulled out a small box. My fingers trembled slightly as I opened it, revealing two exquisite rings inside.

I had designed these rings myself—each one a masterpiece, the perfect representation of what I thought was our love. The rings were shaped like a king’s and queen’s crowns, adorned with diamonds that I had painstakingly chosen. They were meant to symbolize our bond, a bond I once believed was unbreakable. After all, these rings were for a king—my king.

I had planned to propose to him that day, to surprise him with this token of my love. But I was too late. Far too late. By the time I arrived, he was already on one knee—kneeling before my sister.

Something inside me shattered that day. The man I loved with all my heart became my worst enemy in an instant. The rings that had once held so much meaning were now nothing more than relics of a love that had betrayed me.

I knew I should throw them away, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks as I stared at the rings. No matter how hard I tried, I could never erase those memories. But I had to—if not for my sake, then for my sister’s happiness.

I wiped away my tears and steeled myself. It was time to move on. I turned away from the rings, pushing the box back into the safe and closing the door behind me. I headed to the bathroom, seeking the solace of a long, hot shower.

The bathroom was spacious, with a luxurious white marble bathtub that exuded an ancient Roman elegance. The room felt like a portal to another era, a place where I could briefly escape the present. As I soaked in the warm water, I let the tension of the past few days melt away, cleansing both my body and my mind.

After the bath, I knew I needed to project confidence, to reclaim the strength that had been stripped from me. I chose a white top and a marble-print mini skirt, pairing the outfit with blue heels. I tied my hair back with a scarf, the way I always did when I needed to feel in control. My makeup was minimal but precise, just enough to highlight the features that had once captivated him.

I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror, gathering my resolve. I could do this. I had to do this.

With one last glance at my reflection, I turned and headed downstairs, each step echoing in my ears like the beat of a war drum. I could do this. I would face him, face the past, and emerge stronger than before.

“I can do this,” I whispered to myself as I descended the stairs, the mantra repeating in my mind like a protective shield.

I entered the living room and chose to sit beside Sophie, who immediately turned to me with her usual inquisitive gaze.

“How was Paris?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“It was good,” I replied, keeping my voice measured, but her reaction told me my answer was insufficient.

“Good? Seriously, Penny?” She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. I looked at her, puzzled by her intensity.

“Oh, come on, Penny! You’re a supermodel now, and all you can say is that Paris was just good?” she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

“I’m so proud of you,” she continued, her voice softer, her eyes reflecting a deep affection. Sophie had always been my biggest cheerleader, willing to sacrifice anything for my happiness. That’s exactly why I’ve decided to keep quiet about my own struggles. She’s done so much for me; it’s my turn to protect her joy.

“That’s true—you’re such an amazing model,” came a voice from across the room. I glanced over to see Mrs. Anderson smiling warmly at me.

“Thanks,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. Even after reaching the heights of success, I still wasn’t accustomed to the flood of compliments.

As we continued chatting, I could feel someone’s gaze burning into me, making me increasingly uncomfortable. I didn’t need to turn my head to know who it was. Sean Anderson. The intensity of his stare was almost palpable.

I finally glanced his way, only to find him frowning at me. What the hell is his problem? Is he judging how I look? As if I care about his opinion. I forced myself to look away, reminding myself that his thoughts meant nothing to me.

“So, it’s settled. This Friday will be the engagement party,” Mr. Anderson’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

Wait, this Friday? I thought the engagement was next month. Sophie must have noticed the confusion on my face because she gently placed her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier,” she said apologetically. “I thought I’d wait until you got back to surprise you.”

“It’s okay. I’m happy for you,” I said, pulling her into a hug. I wanted to mean it, to feel nothing but joy for her, but it was so hard. No matter how much time passed, I couldn’t seem to move on from the past. Still, for Sophie’s sake, I had to try.

“You’ll help me dress up for the engagement, right? You have the best fashion sense,” she asked, her eyes pleading.

“Of course,” I nodded, forcing a smile.

The Andersons decided to leave shortly after, and once they were gone, my family and I settled in for lunch. It had been so long since we’d shared a meal together.

“Sweetheart, eat some more. Look at you—you’ve lost so much weight,” Mom said, piling more food onto my plate.

“Mom, I’m full. I really can’t eat more,” I protested, but one stern look from her made me shut my mouth and start eating again.

“Sophie, tell her to stop feeding me. I’m on a diet,” I whined, casting a playful glare at my sister.

“No more dieting,” Mom interjected firmly. “I want my daughter to eat healthy food and stay healthy.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I was so lucky to have a mother who cared so deeply, no matter how busy she was. She always found time to look after us, even when her own life was hectic.

After lunch, the weight of the day’s emotions and the food I’d eaten made me feel incredibly drowsy. I excused myself and headed upstairs to take a nap. The bed called to me, and I gladly surrendered, hoping that sleep would offer some escape from the turmoil inside me.

I woke up around 4 o’clock, the remnants of sleep clinging to me like a heavy fog. Stretching lazily, I reached for my laptop and spent the next two hours lost in emails and work. It was a familiar routine, one that provided a comforting distraction from everything else swirling in my mind.

Eventually, I decided it was time to head downstairs. As I descended the grand staircase, I noticed the house was unusually quiet. Mom and Dad had left for a charity event, leaving the mansion eerily empty.

“Hey, looks like it’s just us,” Sophie’s voice broke the silence as she appeared in the hallway.

“Yeah, it seems that way,” I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“So, what do you say we have an early dinner and watch a movie?” Sophie suggested, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

“Only if it’s horror,” I challenged, knowing how much she hated scary movies.

“Your wish is my command,” she teased, rolling her eyes in mock defeat. Ever the drama queen!

Dinner was a simple affair, just the two of us chatting and laughing over a meal that tasted better simply because it was shared. Afterward, we made our way to the home theater, the dimly lit room creating the perfect ambiance for a night of chills and thrills.

By midnight, exhaustion had set in. We both decided it was time to call it a night. I dragged myself upstairs, my body heavy with fatigue, and slipped under the soft duvet of my bed. As I sank into the mattress, I couldn’t help but hope that tomorrow would be better than today. With that thought, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by the sound of raised voices. At first, I tried to ignore it, burying my head under the pillows, but the noise only grew louder, more insistent. Curiosity—and a touch of annoyance—finally got the better of me, and I decided to investigate.

Just as I was about to open the door and step into the hallway, it was pushed open from the other side. I froze, staring in surprise at the figure standing before me. A beautiful blonde girl, her eyes wide with surprise, met my gaze.

What the hell is she doing here?