|| Penelope ||
His jaw tensed. “That’s not good enough, Penelope.”
A sharp pang of guilt coiled in my chest. He rarely used my full name — only when he was serious, only when he wanted me to face something I was avoiding.
I ran a hand through my hair, my thoughts tangled in a mess of emotions I couldn’t unravel. “I just — Lucian knew things. About me. About my strength. He knew how far I could go before I even knew it myself. He was the first to push me, to make me see what I could be.”
Richard’s eyes darkened, and he exhaled through his nose. “And I haven’t?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.” My voice wavered with frustration. “I don’t mean to compare — I know you’ve been there for me in ways no one else has. But this isn’t about us.”
Richard let out a low, humorless chuckle as he leane
