Empire 4

Upon hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Jacklyn felt like she’d been struck by lightning.

 

She took a deep breath to steady herself, then peeked around the corner.

 

Her parents, George Stinson and Rebecca Graham, were standing with Penelope.

 

George was gently holding Penelope’s arm. His eyes were filled with a tenderness Jacklyn had never once seen from him.

 

Rebecca stood beside them on the phone. Her tone was firm, and her eyes were filled with determination as she demanded Eugene divorce Jacklyn and marry Penelope.

 

Penelope, basking in the attention, rested her hand on her belly with a look of contentment.

 

In contrast, Jacklyn had no one by her side. She had no one doting on her. She stood alone at the inconspicuous corner, looking forlorn.

 

“What did you say?” Rebecca’s voice suddenly shot up, shrill and furious. Her face flushed red.

 

“Eugene, Penelope’s carrying the future heir of your family! And you still won’t divorce Jacklyn? What’s so great about her anyway? Penelope is better than her in every possible way! If you feel bad, just give Jacklyn a house!

 

“I don’t care. If you won’t marry Penelope, I’ll take her straight to the hospital for an abortion! I’d like to see what’s so great about that barren woman!”

 

Rebecca was so angry that her chest heaved with every breath. Veins were bulging at her temples.

 

George kept a stern expression but still tried to comfort Penelope, saying, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Your mom and I will always have your back. We’ll always support you.”

 

Penelope gave a soft smile. Her eyes were fixed on Rebecca. She was much more interested in Eugene’s response. If she could become Mrs. Lloyd, she’d walk through life with her head held high.

 

She didn’t know what Eugene said on the other end of the call, but she noticed Rebecca suddenly froze.

 

“Eugene, y-you heartless bastard! Penelope has been with you for three months! You really don’t feel anything for her? Eugene Lloyd!”

 

The line must’ve gone dead.

 

Rebecca shouted into thin air for a while longer before turning helplessly toward Penelope. “Sweetheart, just hold on a little longer. I swear I’ll—”

 

Before she could finish, Penelope’s eyes had already gone red. She couldn’t accept this.

 

Eugene had once whispered in her ear, “Penelope, you’re far more passionate and open than Jacklyn. If I had met you first, maybe I would have married you instead.”

 

She’d clung to that line like a lifeline. She used every trick in the book, hoping to earn Eugene’s attention. She believed that he might have some feelings for her at the very least.

 

But even now, Eugene still loved Jacklyn.

 

Today, when she told him her stomach hurt, he had said he’d rush over to see her. Yet, something came up, and he never showed.

 

What could be more important than their baby? Would he have done the same if Jacklyn were the one pregnant?

 

The more Penelope thought about it, the angrier she got.

 

Clenching her fists, she snapped, “That bitch! Jacklyn was just born to be a pain! Why doesn’t she just die already? She’s standing in my way!”

 

At her outburst, George and Rebecca looked like their hearts were breaking. They scrambled to comfort her.

 

Rebecca said, “Hang in there, sweetheart. Once you give birth to the heir of the Lloyd family, Eugene will give you the title you deserve.”

 

“Exactly,” George chimed in with a smile. “I’m sure Eugene is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. He’ll come around. Don’t let your emotions affect the baby.”

 

Their unconditional bias toward Penelope made Jacklyn’s heart freeze.

 

Even though she’d long stopped expecting anything from them, it still hurt to finally admit that her parents didn’t love her.

 

How could it not hurt?

 

Jacklyn closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the ache in her chest.

 

She was about to turn and walk away.

 

But then, Penelope suddenly raised her head and looked in her direction. “Jackie?”

 

George and Rebecca whipped their heads toward the corner at once.

 

Rebecca reacted the fastest. Hands on her hips, she strutted over and said sarcastically, “Well, look who it is! Mrs. Lloyd herself. Come here!”

 

She reached out and yanked Jacklyn into the open.

 

Jacklyn instinctively shielded her stomach.

 

When she stood in front of the three, George snapped out of his thoughts and said, “Perfect timing. We need to discuss something with you.

 

“Jacklyn, you’ve been married to Eugene for three years, yet you still haven’t given him a child. In the past, that alone would’ve been enough to get you thrown out for failing in your duties as a wife! If Eugene weren’t such a loyal man, you’d have been cast aside long ago!”

 

Failing in her duties as a wife?

 

Jacklyn yanked her arm free from Rebecca’s grip and met George’s gaze with a look full of sarcasm.

 

“Dad, unless I’m mistaken, we live in a modern society now. We have doctors to treat a defective brain.”

 

“You…” George’s face darkened. He raised his hand to slap Jacklyn.

 

Jacklyn stepped back, but Penelope had already stopped George. “Dad, don’t. Let me talk to Jackie.”

 

Then, turning to Jacklyn, Penelope placed a delicate hand on her belly and smiled sweetly.

 

“Jackie, don’t be mad at Dad. He’s just looking out for you. Not having a child has always weighed on Gene’s mind. Eventually, it’s bound to create distance between you two. You can’t keep testing Gene’s love for you forever.”

 

Every time she said Gene, it was a deliberate jab.

 

“That’s right,” Rebecca chimed in. “I’ve been there. Listen to me. Instead of clinging to your title, why not let Penelope take your place?”

 

Then, in a softer voice, she added, “You should know she’s carrying Eugene’s son. With a baby on the way, her place is secure. We’re family, after all. It would be better for Penelope to take your place than for an outsider to do so. And don’t worry. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

 

For once, Rebecca’s voice was oddly gentle.

 

But Jacklyn almost laughed.

 

Rebecca had never been gentle with her. This fake kindness was all for Penelope’s sake.

 

She didn’t even bother asking why she was standing in the hospital corridor.

 

One question had always haunted Jacklyn. Was she even really Rebecca’s daughter? Did she not carry the same blood?

 

Because she was the older sister, the one who never made a fuss, she was expected to always accommodate Penelope.

 

In the past, Jacklyn would have argued with Rebecca. After all, she had Eugene’s favoritism. But now, she suddenly felt tired.

 

She had let go. Why should she keep chasing things that were never hers to begin with?

 

She no longer desired Rebecca’s and George’s affection. She didn’t want Eugene’s love, either. She didn’t want anything anymore.

 

Jacklyn smiled. She hadn’t felt this light in ages.

 

“What are you smiling at?” George snapped with a frown. “Don’t tell me you’re reluctant to give up your title. We’ve said everything we can. Don’t push it! Jacklyn, you’re really shameless, hogging a spot you don’t deserve. You—”

 

Before he could finish, Jacklyn cut him off, saying, “I’m not interested in being Mrs. Lloyd. If Penelope wants the title so badly, she can take it.”

 

Her words hit like a thunderclap.

 

Suddenly, something hit the ground at the end of the hallway.

 

Jacklyn looked up and locked eyes with Eugene.