HEALING THE SCARS

CHAPTER 11

PENELOPE

The plane is about to land, and I struggle to get to my seat, holding onto anything I can find. I buckle my seatbelt as tightly as possible, avoiding eye contact with Dylan. He had pushed me out of bed earlier, and my back still aches from the fall. I know better than to expect any help or apology from him. I am starting to get used to his erratic behavior. This bipolar man, who swings between kindness and cruelty, scares me. But I remind myself that I just need to endure this for a year and avoid getting pregnant. Then I can file for divorce and free myself from him. I've adopted a new policy: no crying, no matter what. Even though he defended me when the flight attendant was disrespectful and flirtatious, I held back my gratitude. The attendant wouldn't have acted that way if Dylan hadn't treated me as he does.

I can't help but wonder why he kissed me the way he did. I promised myself not to let him steal kisses from me again, but I wanted him too. I need to control myself. I spend the rest of the flight staring out the window, ignoring Dylan's presence, and thinking about Andrew. I'm relieved he's safe with Dylan's mother and vow to be kinder to Dylan so he'll let me see Andrew again. As we land and head to the villa, the car ride is silent, which suits me fine. I text Mabel to let her know I'm okay. She calls back, but after a few minutes of us talking, Dylan snatches the phone from me and throws it out the window, yelling, "Shut the hell up! Your laughter is annoying, and your voice is irritating."

I curl up on the seat, preparing for the worst, but nothing happens. I stay silent, unsure how to react. How will I survive being with a man who thinks my laugh is annoying and my voice irritating? Does he expect me to act like a doll and never speak up? I feel so frustrated.

When we arrive at the villa, it's breathtakingly luxurious. The foyer boasts a grand chandelier that casts a warm glow over marble floors. The walls are adorned with tasteful artwork, and the furniture is plush and inviting. A large pool with an infinity edge stretches towards a panoramic view of the ocean, and there are lush gardens and a private beach.

As we check in, Dylan notices that the suite is a one-bedroom. He turns to the receptionist, his voice edged with frustration. "Is there any chance of getting another room?" I can't help but feel sad that he would immediately not want to be in the same room as me. Not insinuating that I would want to share a bedroom with him but it stings that he asked the receptionist that.

The receptionist shakes his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, sir. We're fully booked for the weekend."

Dylan sighs, clearly displeased, but we proceed to the suite. Inside, it's even more opulent than I imagined. The living area has a massive window with a stunning view of the ocean, a grand piano in the corner, and a mini-bar stocked with premium liquors. The bedroom has a large king-sized bed with silky sheets, and the bathroom features a spa-like bathtub and a rain shower. I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the extravagance. As our bags are brought in, I start unpacking. Dylan is busy on his phone, giving me a chance to slip into the bathroom for a shower. The hot water soothes my sore muscles, and I take a moment to breathe.

After showering, I wrap myself in a plush towel and choose a light, flowy dress from my suitcase. It's a soft, pastel color that complements the warm weather. I apply a light pink lip gloss and tie my hair into a bun, feeling a bit more put together. As I step out of the bathroom, I hear voices in the living room. Dylan has guests: a handsome, blonde man and a stunning woman. The man, Joey Marshall, introduces himself as Dylan's best friend, while the woman, Lindsey, is his sister. Joey is charming and flirts with me lightly, which makes me blush. Lindsey, on the other hand, is cold and dismissive, barely masking her disdain.

We all sit down, and Joey asks me about the wedding, apologizing for not being able to attend. "So, Penelope, how was the wedding? Sorry, I couldn't be there. It was pretty impromptu, and I had some commitments I couldn't break."