Chapter 2 Two

I know I can’t stop the wedding. But, I also know that Blaise meant what he said. He’s going to make sure I live to regret this day.

F I F T E E N Y E A RS O L D

Gathered around the dinner table, my stepdad stands up. “Blaise, Penelope, thank you for agreeing to have dinner with us tonight. I know this is out of the ordinary, considering you are busy teens that prefer to eat in your rooms while you watch those YouTube videos on your phones.”

YouTube videos? He obviously has no idea what we really do on our phones. For example, five minutes before we came down here, Blaise had posted on the school page, “Ge t yo urmasks ready. Tonight, we r ai se hell. We, as in everyone bu t myskanky stepsister . Keep your sm elly ass home, Penny.”

The comments were cruel. Some laughed, some said much worse. Lilith, the most popular girl in the freshman class, referred to me as Carrie the Freak. Maybe one day I will snap. Maybe one day I should.

I stopped reading the replies after that one.

Richard continues as he looks down on all of us sitting at the table. His eyes stop on me. Something shifts and I can feel him practically undress me with his eyes.

“Richard, go on.” Mom nudges him from her seat as if she notices where his attention has gone.

Blaise slams his hands on the table, rattling the silver spoons against the china. “Yeah, Richard. Go on.”

“Right,” he looks away, “Ana and I didn’t want to say anything until we had answers as to what was going on, but I haven’t been feeling well lately. After a week’s worth of tests, it’s been confirmed that the cancer has returned. The good news is, it’s contained to just a few spots and hasn’t spread to any organs.”

When Richard and my mom started dating, she said that he was sick. I don’t know all the details, but he had a cancerous tumor in his stomach. The tumor was removed before the cancer had spread and we all assumed that was the end of it.

Blaise drops his fork to his plate with a clank. “And the bad news?”

“The bad news? Well, treatment will make me weak. I might need to take some time to work for a bit.”

“That’s the bad news?” Blaise blows out an airy breath. “That you’ll have to miss work?” His chair slides back and he gets to his feet. “What a fucking shame that you’ll have to miss a few days doing what you love the most.”

It’s apparent that Blaise has some resentment for his dad’s busy work schedule. But he doesn’t seem to complain at all when he’s spending his father’s money. I’m not a fan of Richard, by any means, but the guy just announced he has cancer. Again. Even if it isn’t wide-spread, Blaise could have shown a little compassion. But that’s beneath Blaise. He’s making this all about him, like he always does.

We finish dinner in silence. The cook made a delicious honey-glazed salmon with a side of steamed broccoli and white rice. I practically force myself to eat as Richard gawks at me across the table, running his finger over the rim of his wine glass and licking his lips. He’s always making these grotesque gestures that make me think he’s flirting with me.

Mom slops some rice on his plate forcefully, stealing his attention from me.

I push my full plate away, having had enough of Richard’s attention.

“Penelope, don’t be wasteful.” Mom pushes my plate back in front of me.

I snarl as I look back at Richard who sits like a king in his chair with his bottom lip between his teeth.

“I’ve lost my appetite.”

“Fine. Go. But don’t even think about coming down here in the middle of the night and dirtying up dishes for Jules to wash.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” God, my mother is the worst. I get up, stop, and turn back around. “Sorry about your results, Richard.” I might not like the guy, but I wouldn’t wish cancer on my worst enemy.

He doesn’t say anything, just lets Mom take his hand as she gawks at him with googly eyes. Sometimes I’m not sure if it’s love or obsession she feels toward him. Sometimes I’m not sure if it’s toward him or his money.

As I’m walking upstairs to my room, Blaise meets me halfway. “What are you doing up here?” I notice his hands are behind his back. “What do you have?” Blaise’s room is in the basement. He never comes up here unless it’s to taunt me.