Penn tore at his hair. “Of course, I care deeply. I love your daughter—” His eyes flared, noticing his admittance. He waved it away as if it wasn’t the point. As if it didn’t matter. When it was the only thing that mattered.

His eyes met mine, but he spoke to my dad. “It’s because I love her that I’m doing this. I can’t stand by and be the reason for Elle’s future to be at stake.”

Dad crossed his arms. “That’s a noble reason.” His gaze turned calm, assessing Penn in a way he hadn’t. Seeing him like I saw him—past the angry features and stuck-up confidence. Finally noticing the man who protected everyone he cared about by keeping them as far away from him as possible.

He was noble.

He was stupid.

He was so selfless, he was willing to cut out his heart and walk away as some misguided attempt to save me.

Couldn’t he see I couldn’t care less about reporters or phony tales?

Couldn’t he understand I didn’t want Belle Elle anymore if I couldn’t have him?

Penn might not understand, but Dad did.

He shook his head, pinning his gaze on Penn, finally believing in the affection between us—recognizing its truth.

Not that it would help me win this fight with this stubborn ass determined on destroying me, all in the name of honor.

Screw honor!

“Penn...we’ll fight this together. Just like we fought your sentence.”

His body flinched with grief. “You’ve already done too much for me, Elle. I can’t ask for anymore.”

“Penn, perhaps you should sit down. Let’s talk about this—” Dad pointed at the couch, his shoulders falling the longer he witnessed the life-splintering argument. “I’m sure we can work this out.”

I waved my arms. “There, you see? Even Dad, who is adamant about protecting Belle Elle from controversy, is willing to discuss—”

“Just because he doesn’t want to see you hurting doesn’t mean he agrees that it’s the right choice.” Penn shook his head, his eyes black with agony. “I’ve already caused you more stress than you should ever have to live through. Don’t ask me to make you live through more.”

“I’m not asking you. I’m telling you.” I stormed forward, desperate to touch him. “You don’t have the right to walk away when I want you to stay, Penn. Don’t punish me for loving you.”

His jaw locked. He swallowed hard. He looked over my head. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“Anymore? We’ve been together one night!”

“And you were alone for five months to earn that one night. That’s not a life you deserve, Elle.” He suddenly exploded. “I’ve already taken far too much from you.”

“No, you haven’t.”

He snorted. “Haven’t I? What about the countless nights I gave you? The constant worry? The deliberating stress? I’ve cost you so much, and I refuse to take anymore.”

“I paid that willingly. You’re free. That’s all in the past.”

“Until the next fuck up.”

Dad cleared his throat. “How about we all take a breather? It might be as simple as keeping your relationship quiet for now—until this all blows over.”

Penn laughed coldly. “You know as well as I do that that won’t happen. This is what has to happen. It’s for the best.”

“No!” My temper overflowed, but I battled it down. “Look, let’s be rational. Did you forget everything we promised last night? All the love we shared?”

Turning to look at my father, I added, “Dad, you practically threw me together with Penn that night at the Weeping Willow. We’re finally together. You can see what exists between us. Don’t let him be ridiculous.”

It was a low ball playing my father against Penn, but Dad was on my side now. If Penn needed fatherly approval—he had it.

Penn clenched his hands. “Not ridiculous, Elle. Smart.” He smiled sadly. “I didn’t come here to argue with you.” His shoulders bunched as he pulled his other hand from his pocket. “Before I say goodbye, I need to do something.”

“You don’t get to say goodbye, Penn. Not after I waited for you in prison. Not after I fell in love—”

He planted a hand on my mouth, his eyes guarded and unreadable.

But I didn’t need to read them. I knew how much he was breaking under his ironclad façade.

He howled just as much as I did.

Why is he doing this then?

He’d swiped away my foundations and made the world shake like an earthquake.

“This belongs to you.” He held up his hand, and the necklace that’d started this catastrophe dangled from his fingers.

When I didn’t move, he took my hand, turned it upright, and dribbled the chain into my palm.

With a harsh breath, he closed my fingers over it. “Stewie and Gio agree you should have it back. I should’ve given it to you years ago when I came to find you that night.” He kissed me so soft, I barely tasted his lips. “I’m so sorry, Elle.”

Dad coughed, but I ignored him, fighting my tears. My heart cracked open, dying, gasping. “Why are you doing this?”

Penn touched my cheekbone reverently. “Because for the first time in my life, I need to do the right thing. You helped me so much, Elle. Let me help you by not ruining your future.”

I sniffed back a sob, hating the necklace locked in my hand. “I don’t know what to say.”