HEALING THE SCARS

CHAPTER 34

DYLAN

Mabel's voice cuts through the room, sharp and accusing. "Dylan, I know what was going on in there. I'm not stupid. Did we interrupt something? Were you threatening her? Or did you want to fuck her?"

I narrow my eyes at her, barely suppressing a smirk. "It's none of your business what Penelope and I do."

"It is my business if you keep on hurting her. It is my business if you are taking advantage of the residual feelings she has for you. You always destroy everything around you. Just leave her alone, okay? If you can't make her happy, let her have her own life."

Mabel's words are filled with more venom than usual, but then again, we've never really been friends. She's always hated how I treat Penelope, and frankly, I've never liked her much either. She's just... there. She tried to play the moral high ground, but I see right through her. She's no saint. Hell, she's not even good enough for Joey. I told her that once, and the resentment has been simmering ever since.

"You know, Mabel, for someone who hides secrets, you sure do talk a lot. Penelope and I's business should be none of your concern. If I were that concerned with your and Joey's relationship, I would've already told him that you slept with someone else, you know." I let a sarcastic smile slip onto my face as I watch the color drain from hers.

"What?" she stammers, her bravado crumbling.

"Yeah, Mabel, I own the hotel where James has his club. I bet you didn't know that, huh? I was there that day. I saw you with him—drinking, laughing, and apparently having a lot of fun before you guys went up to his hotel room. You, doing all these things while your husband is at home, depressed and lonely. Maybe I should be concerned with your love life and tell Joey right now. Right?"

Her panic is almost palpable. "Dylan, look, I made a mistake, okay? I was too drunk to know how the night could've ended. I regret everything about it. Please don't tell Joey about it. I'm begging you."

I can see the desperation in her eyes, and it only fuels my satisfaction. "Okay then, I'll keep my mouth shut about the issue, as long as you promise to stop pitting Penelope against me."

"Please, Dylan, I will stop. I promise," she pleads, her voice small and defeated.

Just then, Penelope and Joey walk into the living room. "You promise what, babe?" Joey asks, his tone light, oblivious to the tension hanging in the air.

"Oh, nothing really. Just us having a conversation. Come and sit next to me," Mabel says quickly, her voice laced with an edge of nervousness.

"Yeah, Joey, sit next to your wife," I say, the sarcasm dripping from my words.

Penelope takes a seat on the couch opposite me, and I lean back, watching her as we start to talk. But my mind isn't on the conversation. It's on the subtle power I still hold, the strings I can pull whenever I need to. And Mabel knows it too.

"So guys, we really need to talk about the elephant in the room," Joey says, trying to be diplomatic. "Dylan and Penelope, you guys need to come up with a way to raise your son together in peace. I think that would be a nice start, right?"

Penelope's voice is laced with hurt as she responds, "Or Dylan should just let me be. He has made my life hell just by being present, and I don't want to give him the satisfaction he wants by letting him be a part of our lives. My son was fine without you in his life, Dylan."

I can't just let this go. "I can't do that, Penelope. I can't let my son live without a father when I'm here. It's incredibly selfish of you. I can't believe you'd do that to your own son. And what happens if I just disappear, huh? He already knows I exist. He already loves me. You want me to up and leave just like that? He will get hurt. He will never forgive me."

Penelope's frustration spills over. "I don't care what you want, Dylan. We were fine without you. But ever since you arrived here, my life is chaotic again. I did everything you asked me to do. I left even. And you're still here harassing me. Making my life a living hell. Why me, Dylan? You can have any other woman out there. Why do you have to make my life a living hell? Tell me right now!"

My patience is wearing thin. "Penelope, just stop it, okay? If you make this any harder for me, you have no idea what I'm willing to do to have my son in my life. I will have him, with or without you. So please don't make this any harder on yourself," I shout, trying to make her understand the gravity of the situation.

Penelope turns to Mabel, her eyes pleading. "Mabel, I told you he is unreasonable. Say something, Mabel."

Mabel tries to mediate. "Look, I love you, P. Maybe Dylan is right. I think you should co-parent Jason together. That way, he will have the love of both parents, and there will be minimal fighting too."

"I can't believe you're taking his side, Mabel. What the hell!" Penelope exclaims, her anger evident.

I step in firmly. "Look, Penelope, it's as simple as I've told you. If you don't allow me to be in Jason's life, I will take him away from you. And when I do, you will be the one suffering."

Penelope's eyes fill with tears, and she seethes with hatred. "I hate you, Dylan. I really do. I hate you so much."

"So, is that a yes?" I press, needing her to confirm.

Mabel interrupts, clearly uncomfortable with my approach. "Look, Dylan, you don't have to be a dick about it, okay? I mean, is threatening her like that the best way?"

"It is the only way," I respond firmly. "I'm waiting for your answer, Penelope."

Penelope's tears are hard to watch. She whispers, "Yes."

"What did you say?" I push, wanting her to be louder.

"I said yes, you arsehole," she shouts, her voice full of frustration.

"Okay. Then it's final. Tomorrow, I will bring the contract to you, and you can go over it and sign it," I say, feeling a grim sense of resolution.

"What contract?" Penelope asks, confusion creeping into her voice.

"You think I'm going to take your word for it? That you're going to let me be in my son's life? The last time I took your word, you ended up here. So no, I'm drawing up a contract. If you dare break it, I will have full custody of our son."

"No, Dylan, you can't make me sign a contract. You can't do that. Joey, please say something. He can't do that," Penelope pleads, her voice breaking.

We end up discussing it for almost two hours until we agree that Penelope would review the contract before signing it.