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Assistant: Title: Heartbreaks in the Dark
        Author: LillyMouse LillyMouse 
        Chapter: 18/23 
        Summary: Bridgerton Modern AU: Dive into the chaos where Anthony Bridgerton falls hopelessly in love with Penelope Featherington, who's just starting to get over Colin—the king of obliviousness. Meanwhile, Anthony morphs into a possessive, lovesick fool.So in short:Anthony witnesses Penelope's "warrior goddess" moment and it's all downhill from there.Penelope, freshly un-pined from Colin, now has Anthony pining after her. It's a whole mess.Eloise might be developing a bit of a drinking problem (just because I find drunk Eloise so funny).Colin remains blissfully unaware of everything, as usual.Anthony's possessiveness turns him into, well, a bit of a nightmare.Guaranteed HEA because I can't handle anything else. This will end well for Pen and Ant, at least. 
  Warnings:
 PSA: This is a Penthony fic. If that’s not your jam, just scroll on by!
        Contents: Chapter 18
    

    

        
          
          
            Ben delivers some harsh truths to Anthony. And Pen ... she overhears
          
        

      
        
          We're in the home stretch now.But no worries.This is still penthony and still HEA
      
  

  
  
    
    
  
What can be heard behind closed doorsAnthony Anthony paces the length of his office, his jaw tight, his hands shoved into his pockets. His mind is a whirlwind, every step heavy with the weight of Penelope’s words. The way her voice trembled, the tears she barely held back. It left him with a gnawing ache in his chest. Something isn’t right, and it’s driving him mad.“Penelope said that people are talking about us.”He stops abruptly, turning to face Benedict, who’s lounging on the edge of his desk, casual as always. But Anthony’s not in the mood for casual. His gaze sharpens, his frustration bubbling over. “What exactly are people saying about Penelope?”Benedict blinks, taken back by the sudden intensity. He straightens up playful smirk fading.  “About Penelope? Or about you two together?”“Both,” Anthony snaps, waving his hand through the air impatiently. “Either. I don’t care. Just tell me.”Benedict exhales, leaning back on his hands, suddenly  more serious. “Well, if you want the unvarnished truth, and I know you do, most people think she’s just... the boss’s girlfriend.”The words land like a slap, and Anthony’s chest tightens. His fists curl in his pockets, the weight of the office gossip feeling heavier than he’d anticipated. Benedict raises a hand before Anthony can interject.“I know it’s not fair. It’s not right,” Benedict continues, his tone calm but matter-of-fact. “But you know how people are. They see you two together, hear the whispers, and jump to conclusions. Some probably think she’s using the relationship to get ahead.”“That’s ridiculous,” Anthony fires back, his voice sharp, brimming with anger. It’s absurd. “She’s brilliant at what she does. She’s the reason this merger went smoothly at all.”“Relax, Anthony,” Benedict says, hands up, palms facing Anthony as though he’s trying to tame a raging bull. “I’m not saying she’s not good at her job. I agree with you that she is. She’s probably better than you even realise. But that’s not how people see it.”Anthony’s jaw clenches, his teeth grinding together. He hates this. Hates that no one can see her for who she really is. It feels like everything is crumbling around him, his carefully laid plans turning to dust.Benedict’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it. “Most people don’t know what she does. They just see her as the family friend, working on a massive project with the boss. And yeah, she’s dating said boss. You can see how that looks, right?”Anthony’s fists tighten further, his nails biting into his palms. “So, what? They assume she’s... what? Sleeping her way to the top? That I hired her to have her at my disposal?”“To have her at your disposal?” Benedict’s lips twitch into a humourless smile. “More or less. You brought her into the company. You insisted she work directly with you. Hell, you cleared her schedule for the merger. And, not to mention, you made sure she didn’t land any of those other jobs she applied for.”Anthony’s heart sinks. He can feel his frustration turning into something darker. Something harder to ignore. “I brought her in because she’s capable. She has skills that …”“Oh, please,” Benedict interrupts, leaning forward, amusement mixing with accusation in his eyes. “Don’t act all righteous now. You wanted her close, and not just because of her ‘unique perspective.’”Anthony feels his breath catch. He knows where this is going, and he doesn’t like it.Benedict smirks, though there’s no warmth in it. “Let’s not pretend you weren’t thinking about more than her thoughts on quarterly earnings. You wanted her in your bed long before you hired her.”Anthony steps closer, dropping his voice dangerously low. His heart pounds in his chest, anger surging through him. If Benedict is saying this, what must everyone else be thinking? “Watch it, Ben.”Benedict raises an eyebrow, unfazed by the threat. “Oh, come on, Anthony. Did you forget our conversations? You called me and insisted I offer her the job. Don’t act like this wasn’t about more than just work. You’ve been obsessed with her for months.”Anthony’s face flushes, his throat tight with anger. “She was with someone else,” he grits out, his voice barely restrained. “I needed her to see that we could be something. That I was an option.”Benedict’s tone sharpens, mocking him. “So, you manipulated her entire career just to get her to notice you?”Anthony opens his mouth to deny it, but the words feel wrong. Hollow. He takes a breath, forcing himself to regain control. “I didn’t force her into anything. I just wanted her to have a chance. To see what we could be.”“And to do that, you made sure she didn’t get any other offers,” Benedict says, dry as dust. “Classy move, brother. Did you tell her how you made sure she wouldn’t land those other jobs?”Anthony stiffens, his stomach knotting. “It was... necessary,” he says, the words feeling like lead in his mouth. He’s struggling now, his emotions fraying at the edges. How can he explain this? How can he make Benedict understand that he was desperate, that he needed her near? “They wouldn’t have appreciated her.”“Right. And then there was Mark... the boyfriend.” Benedict’s sarcasm is biting. “You couldn’t have her focusing on him, could you? Better to drag her into your office, make her work long hours with you. Brilliant strategy, really. Very romantic.”Anthony’s temper flares again, his fists tightening at his sides. “It wasn’t like that.”“Wasn’t it?” Benedict’s eyes narrow, his voice cutting through the room. “You practically ordered me to clear her schedule so she’d work exclusively with you. You’ve been pulling strings from the start, Anthony. All so she’d end up here, working beside you, seeing you as her knight in shining armour.”Anthony looks away, the guilt creeping in. Benedict’s words are hitting too close to home, too raw. But he can’t let that guilt take over. He was just trying to help her. Wasn’t he?“I love her,” he says, his voice rough with frustration. “I just wanted to show her that we could be something.”Benedict’s expression softens, but his words remain harsh. “And you thought the best way to do that was to sabotage her career? Make sure she had no other options? Make sure she couldn’t run off with Mark  “the boyfriend” , or go back to pining for Colin?”Anthony flinches at the mention of Mark, a dark, twisting sensation in his gut. “I wasn’t trying to trap her. I just wanted to show her what we could have.”Benedict’s laugh is bitter, shaking his head.“Trap, guide, gently nudge into place. Call it whatever you want. You made d@mn sure she had no other options. Well, congratulations, brother. You got what you wanted. She’s here, she’s working with you, and now you’re dating.”Anthony’s heart races. His chest feels tight, his emotions spiralling. He thought he was doing the right thing. He thought he was helping her. “I was helping her. She didn’t see it. Not with Colin, and then that idiot boyfriend... I needed her to see that we could be something real.”Benedict’s sarcasm cuts like a knife. “Yeah. Nothing says ‘healthy relationship’ like controlling someone’s entire career path.”Anthony’s stomach churns. He hates how Benedict’s words keep hitting their mark, cutting deeper than he wants to admit. “It wasn’t a plan,” he mutters, his voice sounding weak even to his own ears.Benedict’s eyebrow arches. “Really? You weren’t pulling strings? You manipulated her life to fit yours, and you’re not even sorry for it.”Anthony’s voice is raw now, his defences crumbling. “I’m not sorry because I love her. I wanted her to see that I was the right choice, that I’m what she needs.”“Look, Ant. I'm happy for you, I really am. For God’s sake, I helped you get the girl. But let’s not pretend everything was all sunshine and roses.”“She’s happy now. We’re together. So everything worked out, didn’t it?”Benedict shakes his head, his voice softer, but no less cutting. “Yeah, you’re together. But what happens if she finds out?”Anthony’s heart pounds, his pulse racing. “She won’t find out.”Benedict’s eyes narrow. “And if she does?”A cold dread settles in Anthony’s gut. He doesn’t have an answer. Doesn’t want to think about it. He’s too close, too in love with her, too desperate to keep her.Penelope Penelope’s steps falter as she hears her name, spoken in Benedict’s voice. She takes a step closer, the stack of papers she’s carrying suddenly heavy in her arms. She should knock, should announce herself, but something holds her back.Her feet move almost unconsciously, bringing her closer to the door, just out of sight. Her heart pounds in her ears, loud and erratic as she listens, each word slicing into her like tiny shards of glass.“...most people think she’s just... the boss’s girlfriend,” Benedict says, his voice carrying clearly through the partially open door.The blood drains from her face. Her stomach twists painfully, and she’s gripped by an overwhelming urge to turn around, to leave. To not hear anymore.  No  , she tells herself,  Benedict is just being his usual teasing self . But then Anthony speaks, and his voice isn’t teasing. It’s hard. Defensive.
   “That’s ridiculous. She’s brilliant at what she does. She’s the reason this merger went as smoothly as it did.” 
For a brief second, warmth blooms in her chest, a fragile flicker of comfort in Anthony’s words. But before she can fully grasp it, it’s snuffed out by Benedict’s reply. His tone is sharper now, unforgiving in its bluntness.
   “... You brought her into the company. You insisted she work directly with you. Hell, you cleared her schedule for the merger. And, not to mention, you made sure she didn’t land any of those other jobs she applied for.” 
Penelope feels the papers slip from her hands, fluttering silently to the ground. She can’t move. She can’t breathe. The air seems to have been sucked from the room, leaving her gasping, her body locked in place as the weight of Benedict’s words crashes down on her.
   “Oh, come on, Anthony. Did you forget our conversations? You called me and insisted I offer her the job. Don’t act like this wasn’t about more than just work. You’ve been obsessed with her for months.” 
 No...  The word dies on her lips, her throat tight, tears already stinging her eyes.  He couldn’t have. He wouldn’t.  She presses a trembling hand to her mouth, willing herself to stay quiet, even as the sob building in her chest threatens to burst free.
   “You practically ordered me to clear her schedule so she’d work exclusively with you. You’ve been pulling strings from the start, Anthony. All so she’d end up here, working beside you, seeing you as her knight in shining armour.” 
The sound of her heartbeat is deafening now, each thud echoing painfully in her head. The walls seem to close in, the world narrowing to the sound of Benedict’s voice and the unbearable truth woven into it.
   “ … best way to do that was to sabotage her career? Make sure she had no other options? Make sure she couldn’t run off with Mark the boyfriend, or go back to pining for Colin?” 
 He manipulated me.  The realisation strikes like a physical blow, stealing the air from her lungs.  Everything, my job, my relationships, my time, he controlled it. Her legs threaten to give out beneath her. She stumbles back, clinging to the wall for support as the full weight of what she’s just overheard settles over her.  How could I have been so blind? The tears come now, hot and uncontrollable, spilling down her cheeks as she turns and flees, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps. She doesn’t care about the scattered papers. She doesn’t care if they hear her tumble to the elevators. All she can think of is escape. Escape from this place, from this betrayal, from him.Penelope doesn’t stop until she’s outside, the cold air hitting her like a slap, but it does nothing to silence the storm inside her. Her heart feels like it’s been ripped from her chest, shattered into pieces too small to ever be put back together. She gasps, her breath coming in ragged sobs that wrack her body, each one harder to choke down than the last.How could she have been so f@ck@ng stupid? So blind? She thought she was finally making something of herself, finally proving her worth. She wasn’t just the silly girl who’d grown up in the Bridgertons’ shadow, quietly pining after them. She was more than that. She was trying to be more than that.But all the whispers, all the sidelong glances, all the cruel gossip about why she’d been hired. About how the only reason she was there was because she was sleeping with the boss. They were right. Weren’t they? She’d tried so hard to push that voice down, the one that said she didn’t deserve to be here. She’d tried to convince herself that her accomplishments were her own, that the gossip was just baseless jealousy, a prejudice she could rise above.But it wasn’t, was it?It was all a lie. A carefully orchestrated, manipulative game. And she was the fool who had played right into it.She leans against the side of the building, her legs threatening to give out beneath her. All along, Anthony had been pulling the strings, making sure she had no other options, no choice but to be by his side. Making sure she wasn’t there because she earned it, but because he wanted her there, wanted her close, wanted her  for himself .Her stomach churns with disgust, at him, at the situation, but mostly at herself. She thought she could prove them wrong. She thought she could fight the whispers. But now, how could she? How could she face them again, knowing they were right all along?She was never more than what they thought she was. A p@wn in Anthony’s game. When the Uber finally arrives, she slides into the back seat, tears streaming down her face. She doesn’t even try to stop them. The betrayal stings too much. She can’t go back. Not to the office, not to Anthony. Not after what she heard.The ride feels endless, her mind swirling with pain and confusion. By the time she reaches the apartment, her hands are shaking so violently she can barely get the key in the door. She stumbles inside, slamming the door behind her, sliding to the floor as another wave of sobs wracked through her body.How did this happen? How did she let herself fall so far? Again!  The walls seem to close in around her. Everything she thought she had, the career, the relationship, the sense of worth, it was all a lie. She thought she had something real with Anthony. But now she sees it for what it was, an illusion, a manipulation.It’s over. Everything she thought was real, everything she thought she’d earned, was built on manipulation and deceit. The life she believed in, the man she trusted. It was all gone. Her phone is in her hand before she even realises what she’s doing. She’s shaking so badly she can barely dial the contact, but she forces herself to breathe, to focus. When the line connects, she almost breaks down again at the sound of Colin’s voice.“Pen? Is everything okay?”She swallows hard, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. “Are you still in Prague?”There’s a pause, and she can hear the concern in his voice. “Yes, I am. Why?”“Could you use some company?” Her voice cracks on the last word, and she bites her lip hard enough to draw blood.“Penelope, what’s wrong?”She squeezes her eyes shut, her heart aching with the weight of everything she’s lost. “Please, Colin. I just... I need to get away.”There’s a long silence, and then his voice, soft and filled with understanding. “Of course. Come here, Pen. As soon as you can.”She nods, even though he can’t see her, the tears falling freely again. “Thank you" she whispers.After she hangs up, she sinks back onto the floor, her heart breaking all over again. She can’t stay here, not when everything reminds her of Anthony, of the lies he’s wrapped her in. She needs to leave, to get away, to try and find some way to put herself back together. Last thing she does before boarding the plane and turning her phone off is to type the email with her resignation.
  Subject: Resignation

  Anthony,

  I am resigning effective immediately. 

  I overheard your conversation with Benedict today in the office.

  I will ensure the final merger documents are sent, but the remaining tasks are minimal, so there should be no further issues. Someone will collect my personal belongings shortly.

  Please do not contact me.

  Penelope
She stares at the words, her heart pounding in her chest and then she hits ‘send’. The email disappears from her screen, taking with it the last shred of what she thought they had.'
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