"You’d rather kill your child for revenge?"


    His voice grew sharper.


    "That money was to care for Penelope. Not to fatten your greed." he barked.


    Barry wasn’t one to talk much. But today, he spoke for his brother, the man who didn’t know how to fight with words. Years of marriage to a dramatic wife had taught Barry how to win an argument. And today, he wasn’t backing down.


    "Don’t reopen old wounds, Maybelline," Barry said, his tone softer now. "Let them heal. Let your daughter meet her father."


    Maybelline’s fists clenched at her sides. She hade to ruin Xavier’s party, but instead, she had burned her own name.


    Eyes narrowed on her. Whispers swept through the crowd like wildfire.


    "What a disgraceful woman."


    "She punished her child all these years... and for what?"


    "Penny has every right to meet her father."


    The room turned. The tide was rising again, this time, on Xavier’s side.


    Yes, he had been wrong in the past. He had made terrible mistakes. But even if the past couldn’t be changed, something good had grown from it, Penelope. A beautiful, strong, young woman.


    Look at her. Who dares not fall in love?


    Why couldn’t Maybelline let it go?


    She had moved on, hadn’t she? Married to David Wird, a man with power and status. She had another daughter too, Ariana, engaged to the prestigious Adkins family. She had it all.


    So why this madness now?


    Panic rose in Maybelline’s throat. They were turning on her, everyone. She had to act. She had to take control.


    No! She refused to let go of the pain. She refused to let Penelope have it all while Ariana was stuck with the Petersons.


    "You’ve all lost your minds!" May snapped, pointing at the women gossiping. "If you were in my shoes, you’d do worse!"


    "So what if I punished her? She’s my child!" she shouted, hitting her chest like a woman possessed. "She’s the seed of the pain that ruined my life!"


    "Your life looks perfect to me," a woman said with disdain. "You married David Wird. You have another daughter who’s smart, graceful, and beautiful."


    "If you hated Mr. Bloodworth so much, why show up at his party?" another added.


    "Women and their drama," a man muttered, shaking his head.


    Another wave of whispers and murmurs swept through the hall.


    "Don’t justify wickedness with old pain," someone said firmly. "Mr Bloodsworth paid the price. Let him be a father."


    "Yes, let him."


    More voices joined in.


    Yes, the pain of rape never truly goes away. But healing is possible, especially when life gives you another chance.


    But Maybelline wasn’t listening.


    "I don’t care what any of you think!" she screamed. "I will never forgive him!"


    Then, turning to Penny, her voice cracked like thunder. "From today, you are no longer my child!"


    "If you want to run to your useless father after all I’ve done for you, go ahead! But mark my words, Penelope... you’ll never be happy with him!"


    Suddenly, Maybelline spun toward the cake table. Her hand shot out. She grabbed a knife.


    And then, she charged at Penny.


    Screams filled the air.


    She didn’t see a daughter anymore. She saw the curse of her past. The thief of her happiness. The beauty she once stole from Penny had now returned, and it burned her soul.


    But before she could reach her...


    Osvaldo mmed into her, knocking her to the floor. The knife ttered to the marble, harmless.


    Ariana screamed. Tears flooded her eyes as she watched her mother thrashing on the ground with the madman on top of her.


    She couldn’t believe what was happening. She had asked her mother before, again and again, but May had lied.


    Osvaldo raised his hands to hit her when a guard stopped him.


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    "Mr Osvaldo no." Penny rushed to his side before he caused more trouble for her mother.


    "No, don’t hit her!" Penny said firmly and the mad beast finally met her gaze. Seeing tears from her eyes, his gaze softened and he rose to her.


    "Mine?" He called and Penny hugged him. She needed someone to cry on. Everything happening was so overwhelming.


    Chris wanted to walk to her, but his father held him.


    "Go hold Ariana, she needs someone by her side," Greg said to his son. Only then did Chris realize he had made a grave mistake marrying the younger sister.


    Penny was a full package. She’s everything he ever wanted.


    "How dare you try to harm my niece!" Barry barked. "Get her out of here!"


    Two guards grabbed Maybelline as she screamed, cursed, and kicked. They dragged her out of the hall as her reputation died before the world’s eyes.


    By now, the drama had gone viral. The inte exploded with rage. Headlines everywhere screamed:


    "Prominent woman attacks own daughter after years of abuse."


    "Xavier Bloodworth reunited with daughter amidst family scandal."


    David Wird’s family was in chaos.


    Back in the hall, Xavier walked over to Penny and Osvaldo who still hugged each other. His blood boiled but he pushed the feeling off.


    He moved the madman off his child, "Are you hurt?" he asked, gently holding her hand.


    For the first time since she was born, he touched her. Her skin was soft. She was breathtaking. His eyes filled with tears.


    "I’m sorry, my child," he whispered. "I’m so sorry for everything."


    He pulled her into a hug.


    But Penny didn’t hug him back.


    Her heart was heavy. Even after everything May had done... she couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. That woman, her mother, was broken.


    "Say something, Penelope," Xavier pleaded softly.


    And then...


    *SLAP!*


    A loud crack echoed in the hall as Penny’s palm struck his cheek.


    Gasps erupted once more.


    No one saw thating.


    And in that moment... silence fell.