"Ooh, if you loved me
Why did you leave me
Take my body
Take my body"
"All I Want" by Kodaline
1817
A few days passed. Colin was already feeling better, but Penelope hadn't visited him since he fell ill. It was too painful for her to see his suffering, especially knowing that most of it was because of her. She sat in her study, surrounded by stacks of papers and the scent of ink. Working on the latest Lady Whistledown article, she tried to concentrate, but the words wouldn't form into sentences. She used to write these articles effortlessly, but lately, it had become increasingly difficult.
Her relationship with her mother had improved, she hadn't been out in society for a long time, and she had more than enough money. She simply didn't need Lady Whistledown anymore. She still loved to write, but she wanted to create something more meaningful than mere gossip columns. She wanted to write a novel where the main character would get a happy ending, because she didn't feel that she would ever have one in real life.
It was so ironic that her marriage to Colin had initially fallen apart because of Lady Whistledown, from whom she thought she could never part. But now she would gladly give it up, just to be with Colin. She wished she could go back in time and stay there, telling him everything. But that was in the past. She was married, and she would never leave Philip—not after what happened. She had made a promise to him, and, more importantly, to herself, and she would keep it until the end.
She heard the sound of Philip's approaching footsteps. He knocked and entered her study.
"May I come in?" he asked, looking into her tired eyes.
"You're always welcome," she replied with a smile, trying to hide her emotions.
"How are you feeling?" he asked compassionately, taking her hands in his.
But she just remained silent. Tears glistened in her eyes, and Philip understood that it wasn't the right time to push for an answer.
"I'll wait until you're ready to talk about it," he said warmly.
She brushed away a stray tear and, smiling softly, asked, "Why don't you tell me how you're doing? You seem so happy lately. It's been a while since I've seen you like this."
He took a deep breath, and she realized he indeed had something to share.
"I met someone," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Oh," Penelope replied, her interest piqued.
"We met at a social event. I didn't even want to be there. But you know how Michael is."
"Oh yes. If Michael wants something... or someone," she added with a smile, and they both laughed.
"Who is she?" Penelope asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
"She's wonderful. And smart. Very much so. We started discussing a book, and I didn't even notice how several hours passed. I can't remember the last time I felt like that. I rarely find anyone with whom I can talk for that long—aside from you, of course," he added, his voice filled with warmth.
"I'm so happy for you," Penelope said, taking his hands in hers. "But the question is, have you told her?"
"No," he sighed. "Not yet. I don't know how she'll react. What if it's negative?"
"Then she's not the one you're looking for. But that doesn't mean you don't deserve to be happy."
"Speaking of happiness, you deserve it, too."
YOU ARE READING
Reflections of the choices
Fanfiction״I fell in love with him at first sight. From the very first day. And I continued to love him always, even when he didn't pay me any attention. I waited and hoped that he would choose me when we grew older. But he chose not me, but my cousin. And my...
