“Hello, Penelope,” Wayne said, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Penelope stared at him, stunned, her mouth slightly open as the room around her seemed to close in, making it hard to breathe.

“No… No… I… I can’t do this,” she stammered, shaking her head as her voice trembled.

She began to turn away, her silver heels scraping against the marble floor.

Wayne stood up quickly, the legs of his chair grating loudly against the marble floor.

He reached for her hand and held it ...