Chapter 5

Penelope didn't know how long she had been asleep. When she finally woke up, her head throbbed painfully. Reaching up, she felt the thick bandages wrapped around it. Her throat was dry and scratchy. She wanted water, but the ward was empty. She pressed the call button again and again, but no one came. Pushing herself upright, she made her way toward the door and froze at the sound of two familiar voices just outside. Jasmine's eyes were red, her tone aggrieved. "Damian, what is this supposed to mean? Why would you take Sam and Sia away from me? I can live with having no title and no ring, but now, you're taking my kids too?" Damian gave a small laugh, pulling her into his arms and saying in a soft, coaxing voice, "The kids have the Ingram name, not Rowe. They belong to the Ingram family. Letting Penelope get to know them early isn't a bad thing. And besides…" He looked at her, still smiling at the corners of his mouth, but it didn't appear genuine. The chill in his eyes made Jasmine's stomach tighten. "If you hadn't gotten clever that night and sent me those messages, Penelope might never have found out. The only reason she isn't making a scene right now is because she's sensible. She still loves me, and she doesn't want things to get ugly. So, be good. Later, have Sam and Sia apologize to her." Jasmine's lips twisted. "Didn't you say she didn't see them push her? And besides, she called me a homewrecker right in front of the kids. They were just defending me…" Thinking of Penelope's red, tear-swollen eyes that morning, a flicker of irritation crossed Damian's face. His tone lost its patience. "She wasn't wrong, was she? Enough. If you want the kids to keep the Ingram name, then you'll follow my lead." His words made Jasmine's face flush hot, then pale. She trembled with anger. Penelope turned and went back to her hospital bed with a cold look on her face. So, this was his plan—ease her into accepting the children so that he could bring them openly into the Ingram family. What he didn't seem to consider was how unlikely it was that Jasmine would be content to stay without a title forever. About ten minutes later, the door to her ward swung open. Jasmine entered with the twins, with Damian trailing behind. When Damian saw Penelope awake, his face lit up with relief. "Honey, you're awake? You scared me half to death. Are you hungry? I brought you something to eat." He opened the insulated container in his hands and poured steaming bone broth into a bowl. Penelope lowered her gaze, a cold smile touching her lips. Everyone said Damian loved her as if she were his life, but who would've guessed the lies and deceit behind it all? Her stomach churned. She pushed the bone broth away, her expression flat. "I'm not hungry." Her eyes shifted to Jasmine, whose face was tight with jealousy. At her feet, the two children clung timidly to her legs. "This is the 'friend' you were talking about?" Damian sighed, his tone laced with feigned helplessness. "Penelope, Jasmine once did me a huge favor. She's a single mother, raising two kids on her own. It's not easy. I thought helping her watch them wouldn't be a big deal. I just didn't expect them to be so unruly and end up hurting you. You two, come over here and apologize to Mrs. Ingram!" He turned to the children, his voice firm though his eyes betrayed his reluctance. However, the more he pressed, the more they shrank back in silence. The staged display made Penelope's stomach turn. She swallowed her anger and looked him straight in the eye. "Single mother? She doesn't have a husband? And that means you have to step in and play dad?" Before Damian could respond, Jasmine suddenly dropped to her knees. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she bowed her head, slamming it against the floor. Within seconds, blood welled on her forehead and dripped onto the tiles. "I'm sorry, Penelope. I failed to teach my children better. Please, don't hold it against them. I know you've always hated me and never wanted to see me, but this has nothing to do with Damian—not one bit. If you need to blame someone, blame me. Leave the kids out of it, and leave Damian out of it too!" She struck the floor hard. The twins, terrified, wrapped their arms around her and cried hysterically. The ward became filled with noise, grating against Penelope's nerves. Damian's eyes flickered with unmistakable pity as he looked at Jasmine's bleeding forehead.