Fuck, I can’t let my mind go there.
“Look. I’ve done a lot of thinking. This will not work. Us working together. You need to focus on Darra and the baby?—”
“Is that what this is about? Because?”
“No, yes, partly.” She sighs. “This is also about me. I’ve realised this isn’t my dream. I don’t want to lose myself.”
I shake my head. I sense there’s more to it. Maybe it’s unfair to push. It’s my fault, after all. If I wasn’t marrying Darra, having a child with her… but I can’t lose Pen, not now.
“Pen—”
“No Elijah. The software, the business plan, it’s yours.”
“But.”
“I applied for a scholarship and got it. I’m going to follow my dreams of creating computer games.”
“Where?”
I know this has always been her dream. It came up one night, but I thought she’d put it to one side, was going to do it as a side project.
“The Frazer Foundation,” she says, her gaze now planted on the floor in front of her.
My heart sinks.
Not Pen.
“Is that what all this was about?”
Her eyes rise and clash with mine. A flash of fire and anger burst out. There she is, the Pen I recognise.
“Is that what you think? I’ve done all this just to get a foot in the door with your parents?”
“What else should I think?”
“Well, piss off, Elijah. Have you forgotten your parents have only just set up the foundation? I’ve been your friend for four years.”
She gets up and storms towards the door.
“Pen.” I watch her hand grasp the handle as she pauses. Her chin drops to her chest.
“I have to do this,” she says quietly. “I’ll help with the code if you need me, but Todd and Theo, they know what they’re doing. I’d recommend approaching one or both of them to work with you.”
“I don’t want Todd and Theo. We’re a team, you and me,” I hear myself say.
She’s been my rock, pushed me to be better, made me more. She’s been the light in my fucked up world over the past few months, ever since Darra told me, ever since I broke my ankle.
She turns, her expression hollow.
“You need to let me go,” she says quietly before turning and leaving the room.
“But what if I can’t?” I tell the space she’s vacated.
CHAPTER 27
PEN
Leah’s gaze is locked on me as Gabriel and Elijah leave the room.
