Page 94 of Penny & Royce

He’d only ever lost it once with her.

It still surprised her that he had raised his voice when he was upset.

“This isn’t just your decision, Penny,” he said, his voice rough with anguish.

The sound ripped her to shreds, and she nearly turned into him so she could get one final dose of the comfort she craved so much.

Penny sighed. “It doesn’t change the fact that it’s the right one.”

“You can’t really believe that.”

All she could do was close her eyes and hang her head. It would be so easy to give in to Royce, to let him carry all the turmoil she was feeling right now. He’d always been her sanctuary when she needed someone in her corner, and she had zero doubts that he would come to her rescue if she only asked.

But she couldn’t let him carry this.

Not when she was so afraid it would cost him his family.

“It’s over, Royce. This isn’t about us. It’s about the importance of family.”

She moved to step into her apartment, and his hand caught her wrist, just enough to stop her.

His voice was low and steady, threaded with the kind of hurt that made her want to turn around and undo everything.

“This will never be over for me, beautiful. You’re my family now.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing him to release her because she didn’t have the strength to pull away on her own.

Thankfully, he did.

“I’m not giving up on us, Penny.”

This time, she scoffed and turned to face him, her hand tight on the door. “Go home, Royce.”

His eyes held hers.

“I am.”

The words landed hard enough to steal her breath.

“Good night, Royce.” She shut the door before she could hear his response.

Before she turned out the lights, she peeked through her peephole to find him seated on the floor across the hall, his back slumped against the wall.

He made no more attempts to get her to talk to him.

And when she woke up in the morning, she found a coffee and a paper bag with her favorite pastry inside.

The coffee was still hot.

And she cried some more.

24

ROYCE

Royce didn’t care how long it took. He would have a conversation with his wife.

Not to force or corner her.