Chapter 30

The first-ever shout-out on this book goes to Shelolo. Wow boo, thanks for the golden ticket.

“I… You Penny’s voice trembled. Her lips moved, but no words came out. Shock gripped her throat like an invisible hand.

“Did you come with the divorce papers, Penguin p>

His voice was low and teasing, but Penny flinched hard. She nearly fell backward, barely catching herself as she stared at the man lying in bed.

His silver eyes followed her movement. But all he could see in her was fear. She looked so terrified of him.

It’s the same thing he sees in everyone.

Fear. Nothing more.

Penny’s knees felt weak, and her head screamed at her to run before she got hurt again, but for some reason, her legs seemed stuck to the ground.

She was terrified yes, but who wouldn’t be?

She was staring at the same man who had hurt her today.

But the man lying here now? He looked… human. Gentle, even. It made no sense.

No. This had to be a dream.

She shook her head, trying to snap herself out of it. How could a madman speak so normally?

Hallucination. That was it. She must be hallucinating again.

But aren’t hallucinations supposed to vanish once the truth is revealed?

“Are you alright?” he asked again, voice softer this time.

Her hands clenched by her side. She was going crazy.

He spoke like a man in control of himself. Not like the beast who had attacked her before.

If she hadn’t seen him collapse under the lashes earlier with her own eyes, she’d never believe this was real.

Had the servants beaten the madness out of him? Or was he playing with her head now?

Then he sat up. Just like that.

“No, no… don’t sit up!” Penny rushed forward. “You’ll tear your stitches p>

But he didn’t even flinch. He stretched his arms lazily, like a man waking from a comfortable nap, not one who had been whipped until his back bled hours ago.

“Do you not feel pain?” Penny asked as she stared at him.

She didn’t ask because she cared. She was his doctor now. If his wounds tore again, it would just mean more work for her.

If only she knew this was his daily life. Osvaldo was used to waking up to pain every time.

At first, he had no idea why that always happened to him, not until he overheard the maids calling him mad.

He had been worried about his constant conscious and unconscious state. He would be normal and the next time he realizes, a year has already gone by.

It occurs years after years but recently, his consciousness has been almost constant, but not completely there.

Does he only put on a show for his family? Penny thought as she stared at him in silence.

But why?

Why would a man willingly live like this?

“Why do you keep pretending to be mad?” she asked, unable to hold the words back.

Osvaldo’s gaze darkened slightly. “Where’s the divorce papers?” he shot back, changing the conversation immediately.

Penny’s lips parted, then closed. She didn’t know what to say. Though she had rehearsed this part countless times, right now, staring at him, she seemed to have forgotten everything she wanted to say.

Could she tell him the truth? That she had agreed to stay with him for one year in exchange for a fat bank transfer? That she was only here because of money?

Or could she?

She had nothing to lose. It wasn’t like she was the kind of woman a man would fall in love with anyway.

Yes, she was a gold-digger. And no, she wasn’t ashamed. She needed money. This marriage was just a transaction.

Nothing emotional. No touching. No love.

She’d take care of him as promised, then leave when the time was up.

“How much did they offer you?” Osvaldo interrupted, his voice ice-cold.

It was obvious, no woman in their right mind would want to be married to a madman no matter how rich he was. If they would, it would be for the money.

And judging by the looks on this woman’s face. It looks like she’s here for the money too.

His eyes moved slowly, from her flushed face down to her soft curves. And despite everything, his body stirred again.

He felt his dick stretched hard.

Damn it.

Not now.

Why the hell did she have to look at him like that? With those big, vulnerable eyes, like she saw the man behind the monster.

He clenched his jaw trying to stop himself from doing something stupid. Penny mistook the gesture.

To her, she thought he was disgusted by her. Everyone gets disgusted by her.

Right now, he might be wondering where his parents picked her from. Why this ugly duckling was standing before him.

She braced herself for rejection. If he told her to get out, she would. But not without her money for the two days spent in here. Especially since he had hurt her. She would need her compensation.

“They offered a couple of million and I accepted it.” At this point, she didn’t care how he saw her. So what if she’s a golddigger?

“You don’t have to pretend or act kind to me Mr Adkin. Tell me everything there is on your mind, it’s not something I haven’t heard before.” She continued her insecurities taking control of her mouth.

Yes, she was terrified of him, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t speak her mind. She was standing before a terrifying monster, one whose brain could snap at any moment and could kill her, but she care less.

“What do you want to call me? A fat pig? It’s okay, you can add ’fat’ to the Penguin, it’ll make it more real.” She said. Everyone had the names they called her, having a nickname from the madman didn’t seem bad.

“You know it’s not my fault I’m this way, Mr Adkin. I don’t want to be married to you either, but I needed the money they offered. Only a dumb person would be stupid to reject such an amount, especially when they need money.

It’s okay if you don’t want me after this. It’s okay if you only see me as a golddigger. But you’ll have to compensate me for the time I wasted being with you.

You see I love money, Mr Adkin, so it’s not my fault I’m this way. I know I initially spoke about the divorce, but bear with me until I complete my mission and get my money p>

I already signed the contract. So if you don’t want me, you can as well speak to your lawyers or better still, pay me and I’ll leave.” She tried to catch her breath after pouring her whole heart before him. She had expected something from him, anything.

Maybe agreeing to any offer she made.

But Osvaldo’s next action shocked her.

He smiled.