Chapter 2: TWO MARRIAGES. ONE MAN?

There were only two beauty standards for women: you were either slender and delicate or curvy in all the right places, just enough hips, just enough breasts. Flat tummy, perfect face. Smile all the time and just look beautiful. Anything outside those categories was considered too much. Fat women? They were an afterthought. Maybe 5% of men in the world found them attractive. Maybe even less. But Penelope Willard was lucky to have found her man amongst that 5%. It was a freezing Friday evening, the rain falling heavily as Penny arrived home. Her hands clutched the marriage certificate she had spent all afternoon retrieving from the civil office. Her husband had been called away for an urgent meeting, leaving her to handle it alone. But she didn't care. She was married. That's all that mattered. After years of insults and humiliation from her family, after being told over and over again that no man would ever want her because of her size, she had done the impossible. She could already picture the shock on their faces when they realized she, the "fat fool," had married the richest man in Owlsgrave. The Willard estate was alive with celebration as they received their in-laws. For weeks, preparations had been in full swing for Ariana's wedding. Her perfect, golden sister and the rightful heir to the Willard fortune was marrying into one of he most powerful families in the country, according to what she heard. Tonight was the family's introduction to their new in-laws, and Penny had returned home just in time to attend. After all, Ariana is her favorite person in this world. She loved her sister more than anything. She was glad that this time, she wouldn't be the family's shameful secret. She would walk in proudly, her marriage certificate in hand, and for once, they would have to acknowledge her worth. Because after tonight, she will be living in her new home with her husband. As she approached the grand lounge, she heard her sister's sweet voice ring through the room. "Mother, Father, we finally signed the papers! We're officially married!" "OOhh Ariana, I'm so proud of you." Penny could hear her mother's voice filled with happiness and pride, and she wondered if she would be happy for h,e r too, when she announced her marriage. But she already knew the answer to that. Her family didn't like her because she was not legitimate. She's a born mistake. A product of rape. An abomination her mother was forced to carry. She's been lucky that her stepfather has let her live in his mansion after so many side comments about her moving out. Penny brushed off the negative thoughts and smiled. All of that is in the past now. She's no longer a part of her family. Once she's done congratulating Ariana and announcing her marriage, she will leave the Willard family for good. But as she walked in... her feet stopped cold. The heavy bouquet she carried and her bag slipped from her fingers. The crisp document in her hand fluttered to the floor. Her eyes were wide with shock, her mouth hanging open. Penny could not believe her eyes. Standing beside Ariana, holding her close with a familiar smirk, was her world. The man Penny had married that morning. Chris Adkins. Her husband. No. This was impossible. "Penny?" Ariana called out when she saw her elder sister. She looked so happy to see her, a bright smile hanging on her beautiful lips. "You made it." She said. "You clumsy girl! Our in-laws are here. How can you show up like this?" Their mother, Maybelline, stormed toward her, eyes darting to her bag, the fallen flowers, and the paper now lying at Penny's feet. Embarrassment flickered across the older woman's face. Penny's oversized dress swayed as her mother yanked her aside, hissing under her breath, "At least change your clothes before you humiliate us. You're drenched and smelly." Left for Maybelline, she would hit her hard or send the guards after her, but not tonight. She couldn't afford to ruin the night for Ariana. But Penny didn't move. Her eyes stayed locked on Chris. Tearswere threatening to fall out. "Bu... T... Christian..." Her voice trembled, her throat closing up as she pointed at him. This was her husband. The man she had married this afternoon, what is he doing with her sister? Was he married to Ariana, too? But that is impossible. Who would sign their marriage certificate when he married her today? Ariana blinked at her, tilting her head in confusion. "Christian? You know my husband, Penny?" She tucked a strand of perfect blonde hair behind her ear, her engagement ring glinting under the chandelier as she stared at Penny with so much innocence. Penny felt like she had been thrown into ice water. Your husband? Ariana knew Christian was her boyfriend. She's the only one in their family whom Penny had told about her relationship. She even knew they were getting married today. Penny had no idea her younger sister would backstab her like this. No. She would not accept this. Penny reached down, snatching her marriage certificate from the floor, her hands shaking as she turned it toward them. "Chris is my husband! We just got married today!" She cried out shamelessly.