“I’ll keep trying to stop the photos being published. Don’t hold your breath though. Express Media is holding onto a goldmine.”
Lying on my side, I tuck my knees to my chest. Tears threaten to spill. I’ve cried enough to last a lifetime. I’ll be damned if I let them go.
Claudia rushes to my side and kneels next to the bed. “Oh, Pen. I’m so sorry this is happening. You’re the strongest person I know. You’ll get through this again. I know you will. Let’s order pizza and ice cream, and we’ll binge-watch crime shows so we can plot revenge on Lucas Alessi.”
“I just want to be alone,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I’m too drained to speak. To move.
“Are you sure?” Her eyes fill with concern.
I nod.
“I’ll call you later to make sure you’re okay.”
“Thanks.”
She gets to her feet and looks down at me. “I hate leaving you like this.”
“I’ll be fine.” I give her a small smile, the gesture a huge effort.
“Love you,” she says, and I watch as she leaves the room.
Left alone, I lay still on the bed. My trust is broken. Everything I believed to be true is destroyed. How can someone I love, someone who says they love me, do something so brutal? For what? To bring me down? What did I ever do to deserve this?
Lifting myself up, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and brace my hands on the edge of the mattress. I can’t waste another minute here. There are things I need to do.
Deal with someone who can’t get away with this again.
I call a cab and make my way to the lobby.
This is the last time they get to humiliate me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
PENNY
Four hours later, filled with a lot of anxiety and stress, I’m at the art gallery, hiding behind a black curtain, separated from the crowd. A crowd Lucas wasn’t sure would show. Well, they did. Hundreds of people gather around, admiring his works of art, highlighted with lights adjusted at just the right angle. Judging by the expressions on their faces and the buzzing chatter, they’re a hit.
Soon they’ll be in for a huge surprise. Or shock. I’m not sure how they’ll react. The thought of what I’m about to do sends waves of nerves through my body. My hands are shaking. My mouth dry. I’m at this point because I trusted someone I loved, and they betrayed me.
Never again will I give anyone power over me. I’m in control of my life, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone bring me down. With a little bit of steel in my spine, the nerves simmer. Taking a deepbreath, I peek through the crack in the curtain, careful so no one sees me. If I’m spotted, it will ruin everything I’ve planned.
People fill the room. Waiters are passing around glasses of champagne and hors d’oeuvres to guests admiring the photography. Then my gaze lands on Lucas. He’s dressed in a black suit jacket and trousers. The top three buttons of his white shirt are undone, showing a slither of his tanned chest. With his hair neatly brushed back, he is the standout of the event. He’s smiling and looking happy as he accepts compliments, handshakes, and air-kisses from his guests.
Finn, Harper, Hayden, and Alyssa are gathered around him. My nerves are bubbling to the surface again, and I splay my hand over my stomach. Can I do this with his family here? I take deep breaths to settle my racing heart. I can’t think of them now or I’ll never get through what I’m about to do.
A minute later, I see my mother and Claudia make their way through the crowd. I need them both here to see this through. It took some convincing to get Claudia here. She couldn’t understand why I would want to be at Lucas’ exhibition after what he did. Without giving my plan away, I made it clear that when I’m done Lucas’ reputation would get the hit he deserves. She smiled like the Cheshire cat. She didn’t want to miss his humiliation.
My gaze once again falls on Lucas. He flicks out his wrist to check the time on his watch and then searches the crowd and looks toward the entrance like he’s waiting for me.
Good.
Everything is going according to plan.
Now that everyone is here, I can start. I send a text, and within seconds, Antonne pushes through the curtain. I couldn’t have done this without him. It took a lot of effort for him to help me. Yet he made me feel like it was no bother. I know how muchwork it is to put a show together. It’s not easy to arrange and add things at the last minute. I’m grateful for his time and patience.
“Sweetie, are you ready?” Antonne is dressed in a white suit with an orange shirt which emphasizes his brown skin. Towering over me in white platform shoes, he has gold and diamond rings on every finger. They flash before me as he waves his hands around as he speaks. “This will be absolutely fabulous.”
I shake my arms by my sides and roll my shoulders like I’m about to get into the ring for a fight. Well, I guess I am. I’m fighting for my future. “Yes, I’m ready.”
