Twice The Trouble

Chapter 66: Love Hurts

I turned to face my mother's concerned expression. "It's nothing, ma. Why do you ask?"

"Because you're too skinny! If you don't eat, you'll float away like a leaf in the wind!"

I bit the inside of my cheeks as I leaned my back against the counter. "Ma, you're fussing over me too much."

"I am not." She huffed and glowered at me. "Are you having problems with your studies?"

"What? No. Ma, everything is fine at school."

"So.. what else has been on your mind, Sophia?"

I dropped my gaze to my fingers. "You know me, ma. I worry about everything."

"No amount of stress can change the future, dear." She plated some eggs and bacon and served them on the big round dining table.

I considered her words and I replied: "I know. But it seems impossible not to fear the bad things."

Mama May began to cook ham and sausages. "Well, I believe even the bad things happen for a reason. It's a hard pill to swallow. We're always going to be searching for instant resolutions."

"But maybe we suffer so that we can become stronger," she continued. "So we can understand and reach out to those who face similar hardships later on."

"It may be difficult to see right now, but perhaps it'll make sense someday." Mother smiled.

I flashed a perfunctory smile at Mama May. "I don't know what I'd do without you, ma."

"You wouldn't be eating enough, that's for sure!" I laughed and briefly hugged her.

"Hey, ma?"

"What is it, Sophia?"

"Can you tell me more about.. my biological parents?" I tenderly asked.

Mama May suddenly froze in front of the stove. I inhaled the yummy smell of ham and sizzling sausages on the frying pan. Ma May silently closed the stove and reeled around to face me.

I'm eighteen years old. Was that enough reason for me to discover more about my parents?

"Okay, I will tell you," she conceded, wiping her palms along her fruit-designed apron.

I braced myself for whatever she may tell me.

I crossed my arms, trembling from anticipation.

Mama May parted her lips to speak.

Then all at once I was pulled into a tale---Of love, rebellion, and heartbreak.

*What Happened Eighteen Years Ago*

"Anastasia Pennington, will you be my wife?" asked Stephen Sta. Ana while down on one knee.

The beautiful blonde woman had tears in her blue eyes. Her smile was radiant. "Yes, I will."

Stephen beamed at her as he stood up and cupped her face in his hands, and he kissed her lips.

"I love you so much, Anna," said Stephen. Then he smiled at her pregnant stomach. "All of you."

They were treading in dangerous territory, but neither of them cared. They were happy. They were wrapped up in bliss, standing under the moonlight, only the two of them on the rooftop of a run-down apartment building that they've been hiding in for the past three days.

Anastasia belonged to the Pennington family, one of the most omnipotent families in America. She was the only child of Margaret and Emerson Pennington, billionaire tycoons and ruthless predators in the business world.