Page 84 of Penny & Royce

All she could see was the mess she’d helped create.

The mess Royce had assured her they’d figure out.

Two families, so similar in what they held dear. She knew enough about Royce’s history to see it all so clearly. They valued loyalty and honesty. They valued hard work and perseverance.

They valued family.

And the same could be said about her cousins.

Right now, Royce and Penny were the ones tearing that apart.

And for what?

A grudge that couldn’t be forgiven even after decades had passed.

Could she really sit back and let Royce lose the connection he had with his brothers and his father?

She already knew the answer without voicing the question aloud.

They couldn’t continue like this. Even with everything out in the open, she wasn’t going to shoulder the blame when Royce inevitably grew resentful.

He might not believe it, but eventually, he’d want his family involved in his life again. What happened when he became a father? What happened when he wanted to purchase his first house and needed help fixing the place up? He needed his brothers just as much as she needed hers.

Penny had been so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear just how quiet it had become in her apartment. A sense of trepidation weighed on her as she strained her ears for any sign that Royce was still here.

He wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye, would he?

She wiped at her face and forced herself to rise to her feet. Then she washed her hands and used some mouthwash.

It was time to face the music.

She knew it would be difficult for Royce to understand, but she had to make him. Even if that meant hurting him.

There wasn’t an ache in her chest.

She’d expected to feel that as soon as she’d made her decision.

No, instead of pain and the expectation of an impending anxiety attack, Penny felt cold. Lost. Like a ship out at sea with no way of getting back to shore.

When she opened the bathroom door, she gasped.

Royce stood there, gripping both sides of the doorjamb, his head hanging low.

That was when the pain started.

She’d done that.

She’d allowed him to get hurt because she’d selfishly wanted everything he offered.

He lifted his head.

She couldn’t remember a time when he’d looked this weary. Exhaustion lined his features, and he was still dealing with his injuries.

“Royce…” she started, but he shook his head.

Reaching for her, he pulled her into his chest and held her tight. His chin rested atop her head, and he hushed her as he trailed his hands up and down her back. She couldn’t help it. The tears returned, and she sobbed against him.

Not because of the clash between their families.