Chapter 6
Logan’s eyes fixed on the screen.
Penelope:I’m done with this. I’m not your nanny anymore, Logan. Goodbye.
He blinked, slowly, then again. His jaw
tightened as he read and reread the message, like he was waiting for the words to rearrange themselves into something that made sense.
“Goodbye“?
“I’m not your nanny anymore“?
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he muttered, mostly to himself.
Lauren, fastening the buttons on her designer coat, noticed his shift in demeanor and leaned over. “What’s wrong?”
He didn’t reply. Instead, he angled the phone toward her.
Lauren read the message aloud, then let out a sharp laugh. “I’m done with this. I’m not your nanny anymore, Logan. Goodbye! What is she even talking about?”
Without missing a beat, she handed the phone to their father Oliver. He squinted
“What the hell’s gotten into that girl? After everything we’ve given her?”
Logan pressed redial. No answer.
Tried again. Nothing.
Lauren started pacing. “We don’t have time for this. Immigration’s going to be insane. And my passport–she definitely has it. I remember leaving it in my purse. She must’ve taken it. Out of jealousy or… I don’t know, spite.”
“She wouldn’t-” Logan began, then faltered. The doubt in his voice was plain.
“She would, Lauren snapped. “You heard her. She’s throwing a fit. This is just some twisted revenge for not taking her with us.”
Oliver was already punching in another number. “She’s not getting away with this. Not today.”
+ 5 Points
As the line connected, he barked into the phone, “Check the house. Right now. Is Penelope in her room? Is she just ignoring us?”
Lauren leaned in, hissing, “Tell them to bring me my passport. I’m not missing this flight because of her!”
There was a pause on the other end before the butler’s voice replied, calm but uncertain.
“Sir… Madam left a few hours ago. And… her suitcase is gone too.”
Logan felt his stomach drop.
“What?” Lauren hissed. “What do you mean, she left?”
“She packed a suitcase?” Logan’s voice turned sharp as he grabbed the phone. “You’re absolutely sure?”
“Yes, sir. I checked every room. She’s gone. I
+ 5 Points
Logan’s heart stuttered.
None of this added up. Penelope… just leaving?
Lauren folded her arms, her tone sharp. “So what now? She vanishes and we cancel everything? Are we really letting her ruin our trip with this little tantrum?”
Logan didn’t respond.
The phone in his hand suddenly felt unbearably heavy. Penelope didn’t just walk away. Not from plans. Not from responsibility. Not from him.
Until now.
He turned toward the airport gates, staring at the long line for immigration. The final boarding call echoed overhead, oddly muffled and distant.
Lauren touched his sleeve. “Logan. Don’t tell
+ 5 Points
“I’m not-” he hesitated. “I just… I don’t know where she could’ve gone.”
“She’s being ridiculous, Lauren said, voice low and persuasive. “You said it yourself -you’ve been sick of her for years. Isn’t this what you wanted? Me. Us. Milan. Our wedding.”
He looked at her.
And something inside him sank.
Wasn’t this what he’d wanted?
Lauren–gorgeous, confident, ambitious. From day one, she had been everything he admired.
Penelope had been safe, easy. She folded his laundry, made his dinner, cleaned up after his messes. Never asked for much.
So why did it feel like he’d just lost
thine hold
wat hook?
His grip on the phone tightened.
He tried calling Penelope again.
This time, the line didn’t even ring.
“The number you have dialed is no longer available.”
Lauren tugged on his arm. “Let’s go. We’ll deal with her later. If she’s not home, send that butler to find my passport. No way she ruins this trip for us.”
He nodded. Not because he believed in what they were doing–but because he didn’t know what else to do.
They boarded after Lauren got her passport.
Milan welcomed them with its soft light and polished glamour.
They checked into a suite, posed for Savacation photos toasted champagne at
Oliver complimented Lauren on her grace. Their son and daughter–in–law joined in the celebration. Logan played along–smiling, nodding, keeping up the act.
But once the lights were off, and Lauren slept soundly beside him, he turned away and stared at his phone.
No new messages.
No missed calls.
Just silence.
霸
The kind that feels louder than anything.
They visited the Palazzo Mezzanotte. Lauren clung to his arm like they were already married, whispering about flowers and honeymoon destinations.
It was everything he thought he wanted.
And yet–something inside him ached.
+ 5 Points
sense of emptiness inside.
He tried calling Penelope once more.
Still nothing.
She was gone.
And for the first time, Logan understood-
She hadn’t just walked out of the house.
She’d walked out of his life.
