The weekend flies by, and I'm grateful that Josh and I have finally found common ground. Eager to share some joy, I decided to surprise him with a birthday gift. His heartfelt appreciation touches me, deepening the connection between us.When Ava returns home, visibly worn out, I can't help but be thankful that Shawn has safely accompanied her. A call from Amelia adds another layer to the post-weekend conversations."Hey, Harper, where did you disappear to at Josh's party? Everything okay?" Amelia's voice carries genuine concern.I replied, "Yeah, I just needed some time. Let's catch up at work, and I'll fill you in on everything."The air is filled with curiosity as the events of the weekend linger in my mind.I gear up for work, throwing myself into tasks to keep my mind occupied. There is a lingering weight from the weekend's events, and I decide to tackle a pending task that has been left untouched. A gentle knock on my door jolts me from my focused work, and when I look up, there
"Harper, let me call you back, please," he hurriedly utters before hanging up.Confusion and disappointment flooded over me as I put the phone down, wondering about the sudden change in Josh's demeanor. The emotions swirl in my mind with uncertainty. Startled, I looked at my phone, muttering, "Seriously?" The confirmation of my suspicions leaves a sinking feeling in my stomach.However, determined not to let it bother me, I remind myself that I just want to share the good news of my work promotion with Josh. As closing time approaches, I pack my belongings and make my way to my car. Along the journey, everyone I encounter stops to offer their heartfelt congratulations. The overwhelming joy from their well-wishes momentarily lifts my spirits.On my way home, I decided to stop at the supermarket to pick up some celebratory items for my promotion. Despite Josh's behavior attempting to cast a shadow, I decided not to let it diminish the happiness I feel for my professional achievement. Th
He realized what he had just done and said, "I'm sorry, Ava. I didn't mean any of that. Family pressure has been overwhelming, and I can't wrap my head around their requests. They're expecting me to do something I've told them time and time again that I'm not giving in to, and it's driving me nuts. I can't think right, and everything just consumes me," he ranted.My heart reached out to him. "Wow, Shawn, calm down. I'm so sorry I added to your stress.""What is it?" I asked."You want to know?"I nodded my head, not trusting what I would say next."I think I should come out clean because it's going to affect both of us.""Really?" I asked.He nodded, and I braced myself to hear what he had to say."A lady has been arranged for me to get married to."The shock was an understatement of what I felt. He sensed that I wasn't myself, so he held onto my hand and said, "I'm not giving up on us."His attempt to cheer me up brought a momentary calm, yet the bombshell he dropped lingered heavily
The air smelled like flowers, and a bit of excitement filled the moment, making it seem like I stepped into a dream.Walking on a path scattered with petals, I reached a gazebo draped in flowing curtains. The air was filled with soft music. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers as we wandered deeper into the garden. In the background, soft music played, creating a magical atmosphere. Each step felt like I was walking into a fairy tale, surrounded by vibrant flower colors straight out of a storybook.My heart raced with tension as the soft glow of light created a warm and romantic atmosphere. I noticed a small table adorned with candles and a bouquet of my favorite flowers. The setting felt intimate, and as I took in the beauty, a mix of excitement and emotion built within me. With every step, a growing sense of joy and wonder filled me, knowing that something extraordinary was about to happen, something that would change my life forever.He was going to propose—n
Stepping into the house, I saw my dad, and my heart leaped with excitement."Dad!" I exclaimed, embracing him tightly. Expecting his usual warmth, I was met with a response that felt cold and distant. Concern etched across my face, I asked, "What's wrong, Dad?"Throughout the years, my dad had a knack for lighting even the tensest moments. However, this time, his demeanor sparked genuine worry within me, leaving me puzzled and uneasy."What's wrong, Dad?" I asked again, my concern deepening as he remained silent."How is Josh?" he finally inquired, his gaze fixed anywhere but on me.I regarded him cautiously, unsure whether to address his question or press on with my worries. "What's going on, Dad? And why jump to ask about Josh?" I questioned my anxiety. "Is everything okay? But to answer your question, Josh is fine."Just then, Ava sauntered into the living room. Her eyes zeroed in on the sizable ring adorning my finger, and she let out a scream, "Oh my goodness!""No, no, no," I th
I freshened up and dressed in comfortable clothing, not having any plans for the day. As I strolled downstairs, the delightful aroma of a mouth-watering breakfast greeted me."Something smells nice," I remarked, descending the stairs. My dad, Ava, and my mum turned towards me."Good morning, Dad," I greeted, giving him a peck on the cheek. He smiled, but I could sense it didn't reach his eyes. "Mummy, what's up?" I asked her."Nothing much," she replied, giggling like a schoolgirl. I glanced between her and Dad, choosing not to dwell on it. Instead, I playfully ruffled Ava's hair, knowing she didn't particularly like that. The atmosphere seemed a mix of warmth and unspoken tensions, leaving me navigating the morning with a blend of emotions."Stop, Harper. Not funny," Ava said, rolling her eyes.My mother finally noticed the substantial rock on my finger, and her eyes widened. "Oh, my sweet Jesus, did he propose?" she asked, almost teary-eyed."Yes, Mum!" I exclaimed happily."Oh, Har
They were both locked in a kiss.Ava and I approached them, but they seemed completely lost at the moment. I had to cough to get their attention. Amelia hastily pulled away from Axel, her face tinged with red. I shot her a look that said, "You have a lot of explaining to do.""Hi, Axel, good to see you again," I greeted. He pulled me into a friendly hug with a broad smile, seemingly unfazed by the fact that I had caught him kissing Amelia.Amelia gathered herself and finally said, "Hi, Harper. I didn't know you would get here this fast." She seemed slightly embarrassed, and this new side of Amelia left me puzzled. Ava also exchanged greetings with Axel and Amelia. I noticed Ava's knowing smile as she looked at Amelia."Ladies, it's nice to see you again, but I'd have to be on my way," Axel announced. Moving closer to Amelia, he gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek. She blushed, and we all waved him goodbye. Amelia gazed at Axel's departing figure, lost in her thoughts, and Ava and I
Shock, curiosity, and concern were visible in his expression. The warmth in his eyes dimmed momentarily, replaced by a furrowed brow as he processed the unexpected revelation. His grip on my hand tightened slightly. After a thoughtful pause, he finally spoke, his voice measured but filled with empathy."Harper, I'm sorry that you're going through such a difficult situation, and it must be hard for your dad as well," he said.A tender moment passed as he leaned across the table, his thumb brushing gently against the back of my hand. His words jolted me back from my thoughts, and I listened intently as he revealed, "You know, I investigated your dad's company when we agreed to, and I discovered some shady dealings that I can't go deep into. This concerns both families, and I'll stop at nothing to bring light to the issue at hand."His gaze bore into my eyes, and he voiced with vulnerability, "I hope that doesn't stop what we have going on because I can't afford to lose you for any reaso
Josh’s POVI shut the door behind me, and the sound rang in my ears like a blow. I’m left standing in the hallway, my heart feels heavy with Harper’s words. I can barely breathe, the air thick with the realization that I’ve lost her—truly lost her this time. I lean against the wall, running a hand through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts. How did it get to this point? How did I let everything spiral so far out of control? All I wanted was to protect her, to make things right, but all I’ve done is push her further away. My mind races back to every moment, every decision that led us here. The anger, the jealousy, the lies. All of it is crashing down on me now. And Nolan… Damn it, Nolan. The thought of him with Harper, the betrayal—it makes my blood boil. But I can’t even blame him entirely. I’m as much at fault as he is.I’ve been a fool. I let my pride and fear dictate my actions, and now, I’m paying the price. I thought I could control everything, but I was wrong. I couldn’t c
Josh’s POV Greg's face pops into the room, and my blood boils instantly. What the hell does he want now? My anger surges, as I seethe, “Can you fucking leave? I’m having time with my fiancée.”Greg opens his mouth to protest, but one look at the fury in my eyes makes him hesitate. He glances at Harper, then back at me, before finally taking a step back, and retreating into the hallway.I can feel Harper’s eyes on me, questioning, unsure of what to make of the situation. The unease between us deepens, and I can feel that something is about to break, something that might be beyond repair.I turned to Harper, my eyes searching hers, desperate to find some sense of hope.“I feel something strong for you, Harper. Please, let's start all over again, I promise to be the man of your dreams, the man who wakes up every morning just to see your face.”Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I could feel the mucus in my nose threatening to spill over. This level of vulnerability was something I had n
I hurried to the doctor as the door opened, my heart racing with hope. “How is she?” I asked, desperate for good news.Amelia and Axel stood close behind me, their expressions tense as they awaited the doctor’s update.The doctor took a deep breath before speaking. “She is stable for now. We’ve run some tests and carried out x-rays on her brain, considering her condition and the memory loss. It seems like she’s beginning to recall bits and pieces. It’s a positive sign, but we need to be cautious. Memory recovery can be unpredictable, and it’s crucial to provide her with a supportive environment.”I nod, taking in the information. “So, there’s hope she might regain more of her memories?”“Yes,” the doctor confirms. “There’s potential for her to remember more as she recovers. The process can be slow, and we’ll monitor her progress closely.”I held my breath, waiting for more information.“The tests show no severe damage,” the doctor continued. “Her brain activity is normal, and there ar
Josh's POV Seeing Harper with Greg ignites a surge of fury in me. It’s like déjà vu of what happened between Harper and Adams. The sight of her arm linked with Greg’s is unbearable.I almost stormed over to them, ready to yank her away from Greg, but Axel grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I had intentionally cut our Atlanta trip short after overhearing Greg's plans to take Harper to a club. Harper, I trust, but I don’t trust Greg at all. He’s involved in shady dealings with women. There are rumors about him drugging them and then using his father’s wealth to cover it up, making it look like the women were at fault. I can’t let Harper become another victim.As I struggle to control my anger, I watch helplessly as Greg, with Harper in his arms, heads for the ground floor. The panic in Axel’s voice only adds to my frustration. I know Harper’s health is the priority right now, but the sight of her with Greg makes it hard to think clearly.Axel’s firm grip on my arm is the only thing keep
After a warm bath, I collapse into bed, finally feeling the exhaustion. The weekend is a welcome break, and I spend it relaxing and doing nothing in particular.Amelia visits and excitedly talks about her relationship with Axel. I'm happy for her; it seems like she’s finally found love.But as Monday approaches, I dread seeing Josh. His silence over the weekend has only made me more anxious, reminding me of how he acted before our trip to Atlanta. No matter how much I try to think about something else, his face keeps popping into my mind, along with the unsettling dream I had about him.I can’t seem to shake these thoughts, and it’s clear that Josh still has a big impact on my life, even when he’s not around.Monday arrives, and I drag myself out of bed, feeling the weight of the day ahead. I get dressed quickly and head to the kitchen for a brief breakfast, trying to brace myself for what's to come.At work, I bury myself in tasks, especially preparing the report on everything that h
I find a space and settle in, pulling out my headphones and plugging them in. As the music starts, it helps calm my racing heart a bit.I wonder if things will be awkward between Josh and me now. His new behavior is confusing, especially when my whole body is still craving his touch.Relaxing back into my seat, I glance at him frequently, but he never turns to look at me. It feels like this is going to be a hell of a ride.I try to focus on the music, letting the rhythm fill the silence between us, but it’s hard to ignore the tension. My eyes keep drifting back to Josh, hoping for any sign that he might look my way. But he stays engrossed in his tablet, completely detached.I take a deep breath, forcing myself to look away and focus on the window. The clouds outside blur as we ascend, and I try to clear my mind, but it’s no use. This is going to be a long, torturous ride, I think to myself, trying to shake off the ache in my chest.I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I
I open the door and find Mia standing there. I sigh in relief when I see it’s her. “Oh, you made it,” I say, still breathless.“Are you okay?” she asks as I step aside to let her in.“I’m fine, Mai. I just woke up,” I reply.“Girl, you didn’t tell me you just woke up! You look all flustered like someone was giving it to you from behind,” she teases."Oh my God," I groan, collapsing onto the bed, realizing I've got another Amelia in Mai.She gives me a skeptical look. “Harper, don’t tell me you just had a sex dream.”I sit up quickly, eyes wide. “Is it that obvious?” I ask.“Oh my goodness, Harper, don’t tell me my theory is right!” she exclaims.My cheeks burn at Mai’s words, her knowing grin only making it worse. I try to laugh it off, but the sound comes out strangled. How did she guess so easily? I haven’t even processed the dream myself, yet here she is, already connecting the dots.I drop my gaze, fiddling with the edge of my robe. The images from the dream flash behind my eyes v
Harper's POV I nod and say, "Hi Greg. Yes, I know him. He is my..." I trail off, unsure of what to call Josh.I can feel Josh's eyes on me, waiting to hear how I’ll address him. We're not engaged anymore; I need time to process the emotional rollercoaster he’s putting me through. "Yes, he’s my boss," I finally say.I glance at Josh and notice he's visibly angry, his frustration almost palpable.I make my way back to my room, feeling drained after the exhausting five-hour meeting. I drop my bag on the table and quickly change out of my work clothes, wanting nothing to disturb my sleep. It's a relief that I’ve checked out of Josh’s room.In just my panties and bra, I collapse onto the bed. As I settle in, Josh’s presence lingers in my mind, but fatigue overtakes me, and soon I drift off to sleep.I hear a knock on my door and groan loudly. Hastily, I throw on a bathrobe, tie it firmly, and make my way to the door. Unlocking it, I grasp the doorknob and open it. “Josh,” I whisper his n
“Oh, don’t worry, Axel. When we meet in Seattle, I’ll fill you in,” I say, laughing. I know he’s eager to hear what I’m talking about.“Don’t you dare, Josh? Why would you say something like that and then leave me hanging?” he responds in his tone, a mix of playful and frustrated.I laugh loudly, feeling a rare moment of relief. It’s a welcome distraction from everything I’m dealing with regarding Harper.“Okay, okay,” I say between laughs. “I know you can’t wait.”“Spill it, man. What’s the news?” Axel presses.“Trisha’s son isn’t mine,” I say, watching as he falls silent. “Say something, man,” I urge, wondering if he knows something I don’t.“That’s a relief, Josh. I’m happy for you, man,” Axel finally responds.“That’s all you’ve got?” I ask, knowing Axel usually has more to say.He gives a nervous laugh. “What do you want me to say? It’s a relief, isn’t it?”“But there’s something about that child’s appearance,” I continue. “He looks like someone I know but I can’t place it. His e