SOPHIA
"Unlike so people," sneered Penelope. "I don’t want to get fat." She smiled, the corners of her lips curved like scythes. She looked 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 an?"
I opened my mouth to tell her exactly what I ant (you’re stupid, Penelope), but Jace pointed a finger at , and thundered, "Enough!"
Penelope’s look of triumphant was familiar. I’d seen that little arrogant smirk too many tis 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-anie routine. Jace fell for this crap every. single. ti.
He was blind to her faults. He never blad her. I was the problem. I can’t believe that, in the na of unrequited love, I put up with such terrible people.
What was it about Jace that made humble myself constantly? At this mont, I could think of no amazing quality that rited 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 realize how much of my suffering was my own choice. Every ti I compromised myself in the na 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 ?
No.
Did I have to smile through my pain every damned day in the hopes that soone, sowhere might find worthy of kindness?
Hell, no.
Pouting, Penelope grabbed the edge of Jace’s jacket and tugged the fabric. "Brother Jace, why is she so an to ?"
I rolled my eyes. "Is telling the truth being an? I didn’t realize."
Jace looked at her, then at . 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 , but at the end of day, he didn’t really want .
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 , still smirking. She wanted to remind 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 ti. 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 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 an 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 !"
"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 ti trying to find . If you do, I’ll forfeit."
"Are you serious? You’d rather quit than play the ga with , 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 , 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 to my face how much I annoyed him. He never answered my letters. He found excuse after excuse why he couldn’t co ho.
He gave his ti, 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 .
I turned and smacked into a wall of muscled flesh. Two hands grabbed by the forearms, holding steady. "Are you all right?"
I looked up into the handso face of Fabian Velle. If you were to search for rogue in the dictionary, his face would be next to the word as a pri 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 won. Not his wealth. Not himself.
I suppose there was a certain charm in that kind of attitude.
"Mrs. Willowmarch," he said. He let go, stepped back, and perford 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 t this evening."
"I bet you don’t rember any of their nas, 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 , the knob to the parlor door rattled. "If you’ll excuse , I need to run away now."
He moved aside and gestured for 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 all the way.
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