Dylan
I slam my phone down on the desk in frustration, the conversation with my assistant about a successful business deal is abruptly cut short. My driver and bodyguard walk into my office, sensing my agitation.
"What do you mean she's not there!?" I bark at them, my face twisted with anger. Penelope, that infuriating woman, has vanished into thin air. She's the only obstacle standing between me and the respect, the empire I deserve. My father's arrangement, upon his death, was for me to marry her—securing my inheritance and control of the Campbell Company—and now she's run off? This can't be happening.
"She's gone, Sir," my driver replies nervously. "When we arrived, she had already left. Seems like she ran away. Her belongings are missing from the house, and her cell phone is out of service."
I pace the room, trying to contain my rage. "Find her! Right now. Spare no expense in finding her," I order through gritted teeth, my voice seething with anger. "She needs to understand the consequences of crossing me."
After my men rush out to execute my command, I grab my phone and dial my best friend Joey's number. He picks up after a few rings.
"Dylan, what's up?" Joey's familiar voice greets me.
"Joey, Penelope has disappeared," I growl, frustration and fury evident in my tone. "My father's dying wish was for me to marry her. This marriage was supposed to secure my future, and now she's vanished. I can't afford any complications right now."
There's a pause on the other end of the line as Joey processes the information. "Damn, Dylan. I didn't think she had it in her," he replies sympathetically. Joey has always known about the arranged marriage between me and Penelope. He's been my confidant through all of it.
"Do you think she's gone for good?" Joey asks cautiously.
"I don't know, but we need to find her," I answer sharply. "I'm going to get private investigators on this. I can't let her ruin everything I've worked for."
"I get it, man. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help," Joey offers sincerely.
"Thanks, Joey. I'll keep you posted," I say before ending the call.
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Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Penelope has safely arrived and sought refuge in a modest motel. She pays for a month's stay, giving herself time to gather her thoughts and plan her next steps. Escaping her impending marriage to me is a relief for her. The thought of living with a man she barely knows terrifies her. What if I don't like her? What if I subject her to unspeakable things? In moments like these, she longs for the comfort of her mother, who abandoned them when their father lost everything. Their communication had been severed, leaving Penelope feeling alone and vulnerable.
Thoughts of her little brother Andrew weigh heavily on her mind. Our father had sent him away to live with our Aunt Stephany in Paris, recognizing the need for a stable maternal figure in his life. He had made the sacrifice for Andrew's well-being, giving him a chance at a better life. Penelope wonders about Andrew's happiness and if he misses her as much as she misses him. As she unpacks her belongings and secures her valuables, she can't help but feel a profound sense of solitude. A shower washes away the grime and fatigue accumulated during her escape.
YOU ARE READING
HEALING THE SCARS
عاطفيةUNDER HEAVY EDITING AND COMPLETION What happens when your life is falling apart?When all you have left is a crappy contract that your father signed with his competitors to have you married off in order for his enterprise to remain in his family? We...
