She looked at it hesitantly, as if it were alive and going to bite her. “I remember thinking how obnoxious it was that she wore this all the time, even just hanging around the house.”
“She definitely liked to flaunt her wealth,” I said as I took the necklace out of the box. “Let’s see how it looks on you.”
Raven held out her hand in protest. “Oh no. I can’t wear it.”
“Why not?”
“Because she hated me. And I don’t want to be reminded of that.”
“I think that’s exactly why you should put it on, for the sheer fact that she’d hate it.”
Raven looked at the sparkling diamonds in my hand. “The day she came to threaten me, she was wearing it. I remember it gleaming as she yelled. She’d also brought my necklace with her—the nameplate one. A maid had found it under the bed in your room. That was how your mother realized you’d snuck me into the house that weekend.”
Wow. “I never knew that.”
“Yeah, I know. I never told you that part. Anyway, I remember holding the measly little necklace in my hand while her diamonds sparkled. It was sort of a metaphor for the balance of power, or at least how I perceived things then.”
I reached over to her and placed the diamonds around her neck. “And now you’re wearing it,” I said. “How ironic is that?”
She stared at herself in the mirror and tilted her head. “I can only imagine what she’s thinking.”
I stood behind her and kissed her neck. “Want to know what I think?”
“What?”
“I think wherever my mother is, she has a new perspective. I think she’s been forced to look at the life she led here and reflect on her actions. And I think she’s looking down right now and wishing she could apologize. Maybe I have to believe that to be able to live with what she did to us. She saw you as a threat to our family name, when in fact, in the end, you were the one holding it together, holding my father’s hand as he crossed over. She should be proud that you’re wearing this, even though her opinion doesn’t matter. It never did.”
“Well, that’s a very optimistic view. I don’t know if I buy it.” Raven stared at herself in the mirror, touching the diamonds. “You wanna know what my best accessory is?”
“What?”
“My scars.” She reached behind her neck and took the necklace off. Looking down at the diamonds in her hand, she said, “This is fit for a queen, but you know… It’s all bullshit.” She placed it on the bureau. “Maybe I’ll give it to Marina to play with.”
And that right there was precisely why Raven was, and always would be, my queen.
Dear Readers,
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading The Day He Came Back! Want to read DRY SPELL, a free short story from my friend Vi Keeland? How about a sexy novelette I wrote? JADED and TYED is not available for sale anywhere as an ebook. Both of these stories are exclusively for subscribers to our mailing list. Click to sign up and you’ll receive these EXCLUSIVE free books.
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD
* * *
WHEN AUGUST ENDS
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
LOVE ONLINE
USA TODAY Bestseller
GENTLEMAN NINE
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
DRUNK DIAL
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
MACK DADDY
USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
ROOMHATE
New York Times, USA TODAY and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
STEPBROTHER DEAREST
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
NEIGHBOR DEAREST
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
JADED AND TYED (A NOVELETTE)
SINS OF SEVIN
USA TODAY Bestseller
JAKE UNDONE (JAKE #1)
JAKE UNDERSTOOD (JAKE #2)
MY SKYLAR
USA TODAY Bestseller
GEMINI
HATE NOTES (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
#1 Amazon Bestseller and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
REBEL HEIR (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
REBEL HEART (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
BRITISH BEDMATE (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
MISTER MONEYBAGS (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
PLAYBOY PILOT (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times and USA TODAY Bestseller
STUCK-UP SUIT (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller
COCKY BASTARD (CO-WRITTEN WITH VI KEELAND)
New York Times and USA TODAY Bestseller
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
* * *
It’s hard to put into words how thankful I am for every single reader who continues to support and promote my books. Your enthusiasm and hunger for my stories is what motivates me every day. And to all of the book bloggers who support me, I simply wouldn’t be here without you.
To Vi – This year was the craziest yet! You’re the best friend and partner in crime that I could ask for. I couldn’t do any of this without you. Our co-written books are a gift, but the biggest blessing has always been our friendship, which came first and will continue long after there are no words left.
To Julie – Thank you for your friendship and for always inspiring me with your amazing writing, attitude, and strength. This year is going to kick ass!
To Luna –Thank you for your love and support, day in and day out and for always being just a message away. Here’s to many more Florida visits with wine and live chats from your living room.
To Erika – It will always be an E thing. I am so thankful for your love and friendship and support and to our special hang time in July. Thank you for always brightening my days with your positive outlook.
To my Facebook fan group, Penelope’s Peeps – I love you all. Your excitement motivates me every day. And to Queen Peep Amy – Thank you for starting the group way back when.
To my assistant Brooke – Thank you for hard work in handling Vi’s and my releases and so much more. We appreciate you so much!
To my agent extraordinaire, Kimberly Brower –Thank you for everything you do and for believing in me long before you were my agent, back when you were a blogger and I was a first-time author.
To my editor Jessica Royer Ocken – It’s always a pleasure working with you. I look forward to many more experiences to come.
To Elaine of Allusion Book Formatting and Publishing – Thank you for being the best proofreader, formatter, and friend a girl could ask for.
To Letitia of RBA Designs – The best cover designer ever! Thank you for always working with me until the cover is exactly how I want it.
To my husband – Thank you for always taking on so much more than you should have to so that I am able to write. I love you so much.
To the best parents in the world – I’m so lucky to have you! Thank you for everything you have ever done for me and for always being there.
To my besties: Allison, Angela, Tarah and Sonia – Thank you for putting up with that friend who suddenly became a nutty writer.
Last but not least, to my daughter and son – Mommy loves you. You are my motivation and inspiration!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
* * *
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son and beautiful daughter with autism.
With ov
er two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels.
Penelope’s books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
Subscribe to Penelope’s newsletter here.
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