Chapter 23
Penelope
My entire body shook as I took a glass of water from a circulating waiter. The anxiety from the encounter with Arabella set
every nerve into panic. I moved through a blur of faces as they passed my field of vision until I’d walked all the way through
the courtyard and was at the terrace at the western face of the house.
In the distance I could distinctly hear the sound of occasional cheers from a table game.
The serenity enveloped me as I leaned on the marble railing that overlooked the lawn and the gardens. I wasn’t sure how long
I was there, lost in thought, but a familiar voice pulled me from it all.
“Are you alright?” A shiver rolled up my spine in warning from simply hearing his voice. Comforting in its familiarity but
devastating in the consequences. “I saw what happened in the courtyard. You and Bella were always very good at the covert
argument.”
“Maddox.” I didn’t need to turn to know it was him. I set my now empty coupe glass to the side.
Maddox Xu. His jet-black hair slicked back neatly; dark brown eyes affixed on me.
“Yes. It’s expected,” I noted calmly, turning to face him. I hated that I got so worked up and snapped at her, but at least we spoke. That was more than we’d done in a while.
“Remember all those summers we’d spend out on that lawn?” he asked with a wistfulness I hadn’t heard in years. “We used to
plan all the places we’d go after university.”
I was always told that I was allowed to see the world once I was married. So I would often tell Maddox of all the things I
wanted to do and the places I wanted to see.
Eventually it became a list I kept to myself. Then, much later, other things were added to that list, too...
“That was a long time ago,” I told him blankly. “No point in reminiscing about the past.”
He let out an exasperated sigh and took a step closer.
“Do you think I like this? Having to come home and explain to my family that I couldn’t even control my own—” He stopped himself.
“That you’ve gone mad and married some American. All the while, you’re traipsing around looking like...”
His eyes wandered down my dress.
This side of him, the one that became controlling, was usually concealed. It hid behind well-meaning advisement, but I could
see it clearly in these moments.
As a teenager and young adult, I didn’t think much of it because he’d always been a good friend, but seeing it now, there
was clarity. It made me more confident in my decision to pursue my inheritance through other measures.
“Plans change,” I told him calmly. I had a hard time believing he was at home pining for a life that could have been. He saw
me as a means to an end; it was never clearer than right now. “You never wanted me either, Maddox.”
“That’s not the point.” He took a step closer, his voice lowered. “Sometimes it’s what’s good for everyone. And you can’t
tell me you don’t miss it here.”
He was right in that I did miss Singapore.
What kept me from returning wasn’t the place. The rejection I felt here was a product of the circumstances. Now that those
had changed, I could see a life here. It was riddled with all the questions of what happened next. But I could see it.
“You’ll still lead Xu Enterprises,” I consoled softly. That was always what he wanted. To be the one his family chose as the
leader, the favorite amongst his own brothers. He didn’t need me to secure his future the way I had.
“Will I? With a family full of brothers just waiting for the moment to knock me down, it won’t make convincing my family I
should lead any easier, will it?” He laughed humorlessly. “The optics of my fiancée running off are humiliating, but at least
we’ve been able to keep that news contained.” He seethed to himself, under his breath, before looking up at me. His features
softened. “What have I ever done to deserve all of this?”
My heart squeezed for a moment. I took a step forward, recognizing my childhood friend, the one that helped me feel less rejected.
“I’m sorry it all unraveled like it did.”
“I know you want to come home.” Maddox put his hands on my waist and stepped closer. “Penny, it’s not too late to salvage
things, end all of this nonsense.”
The nickname—the one I asked him a million times not to call me—cut against my skin.
“This nonsense?” I spat. “I’m married, Maddox. It’s done. We’re done. ”
The heaviness in my chest lifted. Choosing myself felt freeing no matter how many times I did it.
“Poppy.” Xander’s voice was finely sharpened steel as it cut through the conversation.
My heart fell into my stomach. I looked past Maddox to see Xander crossing the threshold. I immediately walked to his side. He threw an unsure look to Maddox but once his eyes met mine, they didn’t let them go.
“Are you okay?” His tone lost all its edge when he addressed only me. A look I’d never seen passed over his features, disappearing
as quickly as it came.
“We were just talking,” I whispered. I knew, from his vantage point, it must have looked like something else.
“Are you okay?” he repeated, grasping my chin gently.
“Yes. Of course.”
“Good.” His arm circled my lower back and pulled me close. The tone in his voice became alluringly smug when his eyes lifted
to Maddox. “Didn’t see you come in. We should put a bell on you.”
“Hardly seems necessary,” Maddox shot back. “I’m not the one who keeps showing up where he doesn’t belong.”
“Why don’t we fix that?” Xander answered politely, a tactful venom in his words. He looked down at me. “Let’s go inside.”
I could feel the tense muscles beneath the buttery fabric of his tux. I nodded and we made our way back inside.