Her once true love defects to Dauntless, abandoning her.
Penelope finds herself lonesome two years later. She has everything she could ask for, but nothing is fulfilling. That's until she comes across Charlie again. Old feelings are lost but somethi...
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ERIC had a tight grip on my arm, his fingers digging into my skin. Mama rose to her feet as well and hugged me, but Eric didn't let go. When Mama did, I glanced back at him. The look on his face told me that it was all news to him as well, not just me. His blue eyes burned into my own and they practically shot fire. I shuddered and turned back to Max and Papa.
"Papa. ." I whispered, looking for an explanation.
"It's for the best," Papa simply replied, half-smiling.
I let out a breathy laugh, while trying to free my arm from Eric's hold. He was resistant like the time at my party, but this time he was inflicting pain. I looked at him annoyingly but I only received a death glare. I returned it, but failed at emitting any confidence.
"Mama. ." I choked out, finally realizing everything that was going on.
Eric only jerked me out of the decorated room, outside into the hall. Mama, Papa, and Max followed. Eric hadn't let go and only tightened his grip. No one noticed, but I caught the stern looks from Papa.
"What's this about?!" I finally screeched.
"Penelope!" Papa bellowed, indicating that Eric take me further down the hall.
Max eventually guided all five of us into what appeared to be an office. I tried to free myself once more but Eric wouldn't let go. I then fell to my knees, only hanging on from Eric's hand.
"No! I don't want this!" I shrieked, fresh tears falling down my face.
What was going on? Not so long ago I'd found Charlie, now I'd become engaged to some stranger.
"You can't do this to me!" I roared, looking up at Papa with a furious look. "You can't force me into marrying him!"
Eric jerked me back onto my feet, shaking me like a rag doll. If he felt that way about our spontaneous engagement, he couldn't have imagined what I felt. Everything was crumbling around me.
"Shut your goddamn mouth," he snarled in my ear.
I squirmed under his right grip, but he shook me roughly once more. I looked to Papa for help, and he was only rubbing his forehead. Max was rigid and Mama looked close to fainting. They couldn't have done that to me.
"How am I supposed to marry a stranger?! He's older than me!" I kept on arguing but no one said anything.
Eric jerked me back so that I could look at him. His face was inches from mine and I felt his hot breath washing across my face. The look in his eyes made me want to scurry far from him. He looked like he could murder me on the spot.
"Shut. Up," he warned lowly.
"Please. ." I silently sobbed, looking back at the others.
"Take her back to the penthouse," Papa ordered softly, not even meeting my eyes.
